Everton fan Andy Burnham pictured in red and white kit as he plays against beloved blues

Everton fan Andy Burnham once played in a game of professional football against his beloved team. The Labour leadership wannabe came off the bench for Leigh RMI in the dying minutes of a pre-season friendly.

Footie-mad Burnham, 56, was the local MP at the time and helped arrange the match between an Everton reserve team and the cash-strapped semi-pro side. And his late cameo was reward for setting up the game at Hilton Park, which finished 1-1.

Future England international Leon Osman starred for Everton that day and opened the scoring for the Blues before Ged Courtney equalised for the now-defunct conference side.

Leigh fan Matt Lawton's match report at the time quipped: "There was a moment of fun with barely five minutes remaining when, as promised, MP for Leigh Andy Burnham, ironically an Everton supporter, entered the fray as RMI's new striker.

"Although he showed a lot of determination, I think he'd better stick to the day job."

Looking back, he told The Daily Star Sunday: "Although not exactly a regular supporter, Andy played a big part by all accounts in getting the game arranged and there was a reasonable gate considering it was a friendly.

"I dont think he realised just how good a standard it was though with RMI still in the Conference.

"In later years the club became Leigh Genesis and Andy was a big help when trying to increase the clubs profile and facing issues with playing matches at Leigh Sports Village to the extent that I made it on to his Christmas card list.

"And he even remembered who I was when I once bumped in to him on a train in Carlisle. Sadly the club no longer exists in the football pyramid but is still thriving as a junior set up."

Burnham, a decades-long season ticket holder at Everton, was a regular member of the Labour MP's football team before he quit Westminster to take up the role of Greater Manchester Mayor.

He scored two goals in a charity football match earlier this month before Makerfield MP Josh Simons stepped down for him to stand in a byelection and challenge Sir Keir Starmer to a leadership role.

Burnham told the crowd before the game: "I'm still trying to get to the highest level... I'm hoping to attract the attention of David Moyes tonight."

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