Prime Minister Andy Burnham has predicted that Everton will win a trophy within the next five years, telling the ECHO there is much for Blues fans to be hopeful about. The Prime Minister was in Liverpool to visit the National Resilience Centre of Excellence in Aintree for a summit on developing a better response to the wildfires the country experienced this summer.
While in the city, the ECHO asked him about a range of subjects, including his beloved Everton. The club have made a solid start to the season, but off-field matters have come to the fore after news that owners The Friedkin Group are considering selling up.
Confidence in the club's direction
Asked how he feels about the latest developments and whether they would unsettle fans, Mr Burnham was bullish about Everton's prospects, both on and off the field. He told the ECHO: "We've got the best stadium in the country, I believe we've got the best manager in the country in David Moyes and we've got a strong squad, although light in a few areas - we were unbeaten until last weekend. We've got a difficult game this weekend."
The Prime Minister, a regular at Everton home games, also expressed hope for a cup run, saying: "I keep saying to David, I hope he is listening to this, I know he does read the ECHO. I keep saying let's have a cup run. It is my view that the League Cup can be the catalyst sometimes for clubs in terms of getting that positivity and that momentum going. So no pressure David I'm hoping that is what we can do."
Potential sale and optimism
Speaking about a potential new buyer for the club he has supported all his life, Mr Burnham added: "Everton is a fantastic opportunity for someone now to take on now the club has been stabilised, it is all there and I think we are in a stronger position playing wise than we were last year."
He also mentioned meeting Everton star Jack Grealish at the Pride of Britain awards this week, thanking him for his commitment to the club. He said: "You talk about Everton Football Club and the power it has and the way people buy into that and Jack has done that."
A bold prediction
Such is the Prime Minister's optimism that he was prepared to make an ambitious prediction to the ECHO: "I'm hopeful, here is a prediction, I think Everton will win a trophy in the next five years and you heard it here first."
Asked if he would order a national bank holiday were this to happen, he added: "Let's see where it goes. You won't believe what will happen!"
