Legend is a word that is bandied around far too often nowadays, attached to players who aren't fully deserving of the description.
But some definitely are, and for North End fans of a certain vintage, whenever the name Brian Mooney is mentioned, the word legend isn't too far behind in the conversation.
The 'Moon Man', as he was affectionately known, left defenders standing game after game in his four years at Deepdale, jinking his way into fans' folklore.
Speaking exclusively to PNE.com ahead of this weekend's attention-grabbing game, Moons obviously has happy memories of his time in Lancashire.
"I've got lots of fond memories of my time at Preston and I particularly enjoyed playing on the plastic pitch there and obviously we got to the Play-Offs in 1989 but unfortunately lost to Port Vale.
"In general, I have very good memories, it was the best period of my career in England and definitely the most enjoyable."
Signed from Liverpool back in 1987 the iconic winger is a good candidate for gauging the potential of an upset from the Lilywhites against Liverpool, in a game he will be attending.
"Liverpool are going very well at the moment, but in the last month North End have been done well and have climbed back up the table.
"But you know, in the FA Cup it could go either way, with PNE at home, in front of a big crowd, and if they put up a big fight then hopefully they can get a result."
Mooney signed for Liverpool in 1983 but in four years there only made a solitary appearance in the League Cup.
It was a time of huge success for the Reds but in those days not only were there just three substitutes but also no real commitment to the squad system that is de rigeur nowadays.
"There seems to be a lot more rotation nowadays and I don't know whether that would have made much of a difference as to whether or not I would have featured for them but I was in the squad, but couldn't make the step up.
"When I was there they had so many great players and they won the European Cup, leagues, FA Cups and it was very difficult to break into the side.
"Every summer they signed another bunch of quality players so I found myself pushed down the pecking order even more.
"I can only look back on it fondly though because if I hadn't had that experience I wouldn't have been able to go to Preston and so I'd rather look back positively rather than negatively."
2008, of course, saw the passing away of the man who signed Mooney, John McGrath, and Mooney was quick to praise him.
"He had a huge influence on me, at Liverpool I was in the reserves and struggling to break into the first team and I moved down to Preston and my profile became alot bigger and I really enjoyed it - the fans, the club and the town.
"It was a very positive part of my career and it earned me a move to a higher division (to Sunderland) which didn't turn out to be so good in the end.
"It wasn't a difficult decision to move to Preston, I was down on loan for a couple of months and I fitted in well and got on well with everybody.
"It was very difficult to get into the team for Liverpool and I was getting frustrated that I hadn't had my chance.
"I still lived in Liverpool so it wasn't too far from Preston and I settled in well which is important to a footballer because then your game will progress and flourish.
Mooney went on to make 150 appearances for PNE between 1987 to 1991 and notched 26 goals as well.
There's one goal in particular that most fans from that era remember and thankfully the 'Moon Man' recalls it when asked about his favourite goals.
"I remember the one when I got a bad elbow in the head and my head split open.
"I had to go off to get a few stitches and I came back on and scored a good goal - that's one of the favourite ones in my memory."
He modestly describes it as "good" but the Sunday People's description gives an essence to the quality of the strike.
"A nasty knock on the head did Preston's talented Brian Mooney a world of good…he left defenders in his wake with a deceptive swerve and unleashed a tremendous 25-yard dipping shot."
Mooney left for Sunderland the year after the 1990 World Cup and following an injury-hit spell there he returned to Ireland where he earned a similar status as the one he had acquired at Deepdale for Shelbourne and Bohemiams.
In 2000 Mooney returned to Deepdale to sign copies of a book written after him - 'Mooney: The Man, The Magic and Preston on the Plastic' - and this tied in him with a great accolade being awarded to him. He was voted 2nd in a fans greatest PNE players of all time poll, with only Sir Tom above him.
"It was a great honour for me to be even mentioned in the same vein as Sir Tom but there must have been a certain vintage of fans who were voting in that poll so for me to come second is an honour," says Mooney.
Nowadays, North End fans are hailing the tricky wingplay of Ross Wallace but ten years ago, the 'Moon Man' was the darling of Deepdale with his own brand of deft skills.
