Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has been presented with a special piece of Everton artwork by renowned illustrator Paul Trevillion. The gift, a mounted drawing of Everton legend Dixie Dean, was given to Burnham during a meeting at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
Burnham, a long-time Everton season ticket holder, is currently the only candidate for Labour Party leader after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation on Monday. He recently returned to Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election. In 2015, Burnham vowed he would never give up his Everton season ticket, even if he became Prime Minister.
Trevillion's Connection to Dixie Dean
Paul Trevillion, now 92, first saw Dixie Dean play in an FA Cup replay between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton on February 22, 1937, when he was nearly three years old. Trevillion, a Spurs fan, was captivated by Dean, who scored two goals in that match. He later met Dean in the 1960-61 season while working for the Liverpool ECHO, producing an illustrated life story of the striker that ran for 21 weeks.
Dean, Everton's record scorer, netted 60 goals in the 1927-28 season and 383 in total for the club. Trevillion's drawing of Dean was presented to Burnham at the Football Walk of Fame event, which also featured Denis Law. Trevillion told the ECHO: "Very few people know that Andy Burnham is a great fan of Dixie Dean. I was informed of this and when I travelled to the National Football Museum to meet him and Denis Law, I had a mounted drawing of Dixie with me. Andy was thrilled with the drawing of Dixie I gave him as a gift."
Burnham's Everton Loyalty
Burnham, born in Aintree, has been a devoted Everton supporter for decades. In 2015, he told Fubar Radio: "No, never. No, never. I will always go and watch Everton. Always. All my life. It will never change." This commitment remains despite his political ascent, which now positions him as the likely next Prime Minister.
Trevillion's Artistic Legacy
Trevillion, known as "the master of movement," has drawn many sporting greats, including Joe Royle, Derek Dougan, and Nat Lofthouse, but he always bases his aerial drawings on Dixie Dean. He said: "Each and every time I've drawn a player in air, it's always been based on Dixie Dean. He was the best, he was unbelievable."
In 2024, Trevillion's signed portrait of Winston Churchill sold for £72,000 at auction, with a buyer's premium of £94,896. Churchill had advised Trevillion: "You must be original. Never ever give up."
