Everton legend Peter Reid made a surprise appearance at 10 Downing Street as part of incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s welcome party.
The United Kingdom’s new prime minister is an avowed Evertonian and has spoken openly of his love of football, but fans were nonetheless surprised to see Reid as part of his party at his new home shortly after he met King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Reid – who featured for Everton between 1982 and 1989, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup – looked occasion appropriate in a smart cream suit and sunglasses.
The 70-year-old mingled with Burnham’s friends, family and new staff outside the iconic residence, even hugging the new PM, but unknowingly attracting a barrage of questions on social media.
‘Why is Peter Reid at Downing Street waiting for Andy Burnham’, one commenter questioned.
Another wondered: ‘Is that Peter Reid at Downing Street?’
Peter Reid was an unexpected guest to welcome new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to No 10
The former Greater Manchester Mayor is an avowed Evertonian and has been watching the Toffees since he was three years old
A third wrote: ‘Peter Reid in Downing Street… Never thought I’d see, let alone write, this’.
‘The Evertonia deep state comes to the fore… Peter Reid awaiting Andy at Downing Street’, another joked.
Others were left wondering whether the former captain was likely to be made Chancellor of the Exchequer, or Minister for Culture.
An alternative view suggested: ‘Peter Reid gonna be Burnham’s midfield enforcer in Parliament, slide tackle a few Tories, Reidy!’
Another footballing face in the crowd was Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince, who has been a major donor to both the Labour Party and the Green Party.
The eco-advocate millionaire sported a t-shirt espousing his plant-based beliefs, which read: ‘chips are vegan’
As well as following the football closely, Burnham previously featured in a New Labour football team which included the likes of Ed Balls and James Purnell during his days as an adviser – and more recently, would turn out in occasional games held during the Labour conference.
He has also waded into football-related issues, most recently suggesting that he might be interested in overturning the ban on alcohol in the stands at UK football grounds.
The former Greater Manchester Mayor raised the prospect of that being overturned in a social media post from a rugby league match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Turning the camera to show Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram holding a pint of lager, Burnham 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.’
Burnham continues to hold a season ticket at the Hill Dickinson, after first watching a live match at the Toffees’ Goodison Park ground in 1973.
Dale Vince (wearing the black t-shirt) was another footballing face in the crowd on Monday
The Everton legend cut a dapper figure in a cream suit – a world away from his days in blue (pictured in 1987)
‘I have a very dim memory of going up the steps to the game and seeing the green,’ Burnham told Four Four Two.
‘One of the games I do remember was against Bristol City at Goodison in 1976. It was my brother’s 8th birthday and we beat them 2-0.
‘The other one that sticks in my mind from that era is against Sunderland with big Duncan McKenzie running the show. He was like a matador.’
Reid made 159 appearances for Everton, also turning out for clubs including QPR, Manchester City, and Bolton Wanderers.
After hanging up his boots, the Huyton native turned manager for sides including Leeds, Coventry City and Thailand’s national team.
