 With Joyce's father Walter now a coach at Deepdale (he had previously coached at Oldham Athletic), Joyce decided to make the move.Over the next five years, he became a popular figure at Preston earning himself the nickname "Psycho", due to his never-say-die commitment to the cause.In all he played 208 matches for the Lilywhites scoring 44 goals, winning the club's player of the year award and being made club captain.