Andy Burnham has caused a stir on social media after cameras captured the Mayor of Greater Manchester out jogging while wearing a vintage Everton shirt.
The 56-year-old is a known admirer of the Toffees, and opted to don the iconic Everton shirt of the 1979/80 season for a run on Friday afternoon, produced by Umbro and worn by the likes of Graeme Sharp, Kevin Ratcliffe and Bob Latchford.
It is believed to be the first sponsored shirt to be worn in English football, with Hafnia – A Danish tinned meat producer – adorning the front of the kit with their logo.
Many will be aware that Burnham – who loves the Hill Dickinson Stadium – supports Everton, but there is actually another club the man born in Aintree adores.
Sunday marks the final home game of the season for Everton! 😳
How have you found the first season at the new home of the Blues? 🏟️
Andy Burnham was raised as a supporter of Everton and Celtic
Burnham spoke in great detail to FourFourTwo about his love for football back in February 2024, revealing that he admires Celtic as well as Everton.
When it was mentioned that he was raised as “a proud supporter of Everton and Celtic” growing up, the Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “I’m a lone campaigner for Everton and Celtic being the true and original partnership. My upbringing was (these are) the clubs you support. When I see this cult and love-in with the other lot and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ I struggle with that.
“There’s a photo of Pat Van Den Hauwe with a Celtic ski hat, that was my hat, I gave it to him as he went to collect the cup. I used to have the split Everton and Celtic ski-hat and I had a full Celtic hat as well. For me, it was always Everton and Celtic and links were going back with players like Bobby Collins. John Collins also played for both clubs. There were at least as many Rangers/Liverpool supporters hats as Celtic/Liverpool. I remember going to a friendly at Celtic Park with Everton, that was a great day.”
Andy Burnham’s favourite Everton player could actually leave this summer
Burnham – who once took aim at the Premier League on behalf of the Toffees – also revealed who his favourite Everton player is during this interview.
He said: “Beto, I’m betting the house on him being the new Duncan Ferguson.”
That prediction has not quite paid off considering the Everton No.9 has only scored 25 goals in 109 games for the Toffees, whereas Ferguson netted 72 in 273 appearances.
Should Everton actually be getting Beto tied down to a new contract? 🤔
He'll only have a year left this summer…
Beto may even be sold this summer as the Guinea-Bissau international approaches the final 12 months of his contract, a development which would surely upset Burnham after what he told FourFourTwo.
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