Andy Burnham is widely expected to become the Prime Minister of the UK in the coming weeks and he’s now made an appearance at Super League Magic Weekend, explaining his passion for rugby league as well as how much more the country can do for the sport.
Burnham recently became a Labour MP after winning the by-election in Makerfield and with Sir Keir Starmer announcing his resignation, it’s expected that Andy Burnham will become the leader of the Labour party and therefore the new Prime Minister.
If he achieves that stated goal then he would become the first rugby league fan to hold that office and he’s now joked that an axis of rugby league power could emerge in parliament alongside Speaker of the House and former RFL President Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the game between Warrington Wolves and his beloved Leigh Leopards, Burnham explained how he came to follow the sport whilst also outlining what sort of support he could offer for rugby league should he be elected.
On his support of Leigh, he said: “In the early 80s, Everton were having one of their many bad phases, and my brother said, ‘you know what, Leigh are doing all right, let’s go and jump on that bandwagon’, so we went down.
“Mick Martin was our neighbour, he took us down. It was the season of Des Drummond, John Woods, I saw Leigh lift that league championship so I’ve been a Leigh fan ever since that time.”
Real deal Rhinos, toothless Tigers stunned by York + ceasefire at Odsal – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Andy Burnham calls for more rugby league backing in Super League Magic Weekend appearance
Given that he may well become the leader of the nation, Jon Wilkin asked Andy Burnham what makes a great leader.
“It’s setting high ambitions, but then being prepared to walk in everybody’s shoes and understand how everyone in the team is feeling, and show that you’re prepared to stand alongside them and understand that,” Burnham explained, before explaining how special it would be to champion rugby league from Downing Street IF he became Prime Minister.
“I would be massively proud,” Burnham said.
“I am a former president of the Rugby Football League and to have that honour was huge for me but I would back this sport from the highest office.
“Sir Lindsay Hoyle does that with great distinction, but perhaps the two of us can form a pretty powerful axis, if it does come to pass, for this sport, because I think this sport does need more.
“I think rugby league deserves more. We saw Sir Kevin get his rightful recognition, but how is it that that’s the first*? Where is rugby league’s recognition more broadly? Where’s the investment in the grassroots facilities?
“We’ve got an amazing infrastructure in the Wigan Borough, but they do it a lot of it themselves, and I’d like to see more backing for the sport at every single level, and it’s great to see the women and girls game flourishing as well.
“You’ll have two powerful backers if all of the plans are up again.”
*Of course, Sir Kevin Sinfield is actually the second knight of the realm from rugby league with Billy Boston knighted in 2025 for his services to the sport.
