Andy Burnham calls for legislation change during Hill Dickinson Stadium visit
Andy Burnham is expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street this month - but he was in attendance on day one of Magic Weekend 2026Andy Burnham backed calls allowing football supporters to drink alcohol in the stands at matches after describing Everton as one of the greatest loves of his sporting life. Burnham is a season ticket holder at Hill Dickinson Stadium and has followed the Blues since the early 1970s.The newly elected MP for Makerfield witnessed the club's rise during the 80s, their fall in the mid-90s and everything that has followed since. Burnham also has strong links with Super League club Leigh Leopards, having previously been the town’s MP, so it was no surprise that he was in attendance for their Magic Weekend victory over Warrington Wolves on Saturday evening.But after watching Leigh run out 24-6 winners over Sam Burgess’ side, the 56-year-old took to social media to confirm he wants to look into changing laws to allow football fans in the top leagues to drink alcohol in their seats like rugby fans can.Fans in the UK cannot drink at their seats due to the Sporting Events Act 1985, which legally prohibits consuming alcohol within direct view of the pitch.But Burnham, in a video that included Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram holding what looked like a pint of lager, said: “I've only got one question though about this day today... how come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can't do that at an Everton home game? There's something wrong there, we need to take a look at that.”Speaking ahead of the game, Burnham also opened up on his love for the Blues and the Betfred Super League side.He said: "In the early 80s, Everton were having one of their many bad phases, and my brother said, 'Leigh are doing alright, let's go and jump on the bandwagon'."It was the season of Des Drummond and John Woods, I saw Leigh lift that championship at Hill Park. I go a lot. I was the MP for Leigh, and I’ve worked with Mr (Derek) Beaumont over the years and on the building of the Leigh Sports Village."It does my heart so good to see Leigh playing in my home ground, Everton Football Club. These are the two greatest loves of my sporting life! This is massive for me!"Burnham, during the interview on Sky Sports, was then asked by former St Helens star John Wilkin what makes a greater leader and as well as hailing Everton boss David Moyes, he couldn’t help but have a cheeky dig at the Scot."It's a great question,” he said. "It's about setting high ambitions but being prepared to walk in everybody's shoes and understand how everyone in the team is feeling and showing that you are prepared to stand beside them."We've got a great leader here in Adrian Lam, but I'm actually thinking of the great David Moyes, who very much is a person who understands people and gets the best out of them."Before he added: “As Mayor of Greater Manchester, I followed the Moyes playbook and I probably did better than him in Manchester than David Moyes did in Manchester."Burnham, who is expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street this month, also promised to back rugby league 'from the highest office' if he becomes Prime Minister.“I am a former president of the Rugby Football League and to have that honour was huge for me,” the former president of the Rugby Football League said.“I would back this sport from the highest office. Sir Lindsay Hoyle does that with great distinction as Speaker of the House of Commons and perhaps the two of us can form a pretty powerful axis if it does come to pass for the sport.“This sport does need more. It’s a brilliant spectacle, but I think rugby league deserves more. We saw Sir Kevin (Sinfield) get his rightful recognition, but where is rugby league’s recognition more broadly? Where’s the investment in the grassroots facilities?“I’d like to see more backing for the sport at every single level. You’ll have two very powerful backers if all of the plans are fulfilled.”
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