New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is the first Everton fan in Number 10 – and he’s sure to be cheering on the Toffees as they play in a friendly against Bolton tomorrow. Recently snapped running in a retro club shirt, he’s said in the past: “I have a season ticket. It's my big thing.” But the Labour leader is not the first PM to love the beautiful game.
Arthur Balfour
Serving as PM between 1902 and 1905, the Conservative politician was a Manchester MP and patron of Manchester City. He wore a Sky Blues rosette to the FA Cup final in 1904 – and awarded the trophy to City after they beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0.
Harold Wilson
The Labour leader was a Huddersfield Town fan. He even carried a photo of the 1924-25 First Division title-winning team around in his wallet and once dropped in to the Terriers’ dressing room to chat with the players, complete with his trademark pipe.
Ted Heath
The Conservative leader is believed to have supported Burnley FC. He opened the £450,000 Bob Lord Stand at the club’s Turf Moor ground in 1974, praising its new state-of-the-art facilities.
John Major
Although more of a cricket than a football devotee, the former London-born Tory PM began supporting Chelsea FC when they won their first league title in 1955 and has been spotted cheering on the Blues at their Stamford Bridge ground.
Tony Blair
Growing up in the North-East the Labour PM became a childhood fan of Newcastle United, attending matches with his dad in the 1960s. He famously traded headers with club manager Kevin Keegan at the 1995 Labour Party Conference in Brighton.
Gordon Brown
The Labour PM from 2007 to 2010 has supported Scottish club Raith Rovers since he was a kid when he sold matchday programmes. He used his own cash to help save them in the Noughties and said: “I’d love to have been manager.”
David Cameron
In 2015 the Tory PM had to apologise for a “brain fade” after saying he supported West Ham during a speech when he’d previously declared his allegiance to Aston Villa. He insisted: “I'm a Villa fan!”
Liz Truss
Despite growing up in Leeds, the Tory leader, who had a blink and you’ll miss it premiership in 2022, became a Norwich City fan. She used to be a Norfolk MP and said: “They're a fine family club.”
Rishi Sunak
The former Conservative leader has recalled sitting on a booster seat at The Dell to support the Saints as a child. His favourite player was Matt Le Tissier. He has also said: “If I could run Southampton Football Club, I would be a very happy man.”
Keir Starmer
After Arsenal won the Premier League title this season the outgoing PM and lifelong Gooner said: “22 long years for the Arsenal. But finally, we're back where we belong. Champions!”
