Andy Burnham, a lifelong Everton fan and the current Mayor of Greater Manchester, made a memorable appearance in a pre-season friendly match against his beloved Everton while serving as the local MP for Leigh. The game, held at Hilton Park, saw Burnham come off the bench for Leigh RMI in the final minutes, contributing to a 1-1 draw. Everton's Leon Osman opened the scoring, but Ged Courtney equalized for Leigh. Burnham's involvement in organizing the match highlighted his commitment to local football, though his performance drew light-hearted criticism, with a match report suggesting he should focus on politics instead of football. Over the years, Burnham has remained a prominent supporter of local clubs, helping to raise their profiles, including Leigh RMI, which eventually transformed into Leigh Genesis before it was dissolved. Recently, Burnham participated in a charity match, expressing his ambition to reach higher levels in football and attract the attention of Everton's manager, David Moyes.