'I'm a lone campaigner for Everton and Celtic being the true and original partnership. I struggle with Liverpool and Celtic's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' love-in' Proud Toffee Andy Burnham reveals home-and-away Evertonian roots

"AB: It would have been around 1973 and I would have only been about two or three years old. I have a very dim memory of going up the steps to the game and seeing the green. 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."

"AB: Bob Latchford was my first idol because in 1978 he scored 30 goals in a season. I loved him before that, the Daily Express had a challenge; 10,000 for 30 goals in the old First Division. He scored a late penalty against Chelsea to win the prize at Goodison. He was a proper swashbuckling English centre-forward. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago and telling him all of that. He was a lovely bloke as well."

Andy Burnham recalls earliest Everton memories from around 1973, including a dim recollection of stepping into Goodison and a 1976 Bristol City match on his brother’s eighth birthday when Everton won 2-0. He remembers players such as Duncan McKenzie, describing him as flamboyant and likening him to a matador. Bob Latchford became his first idol after scoring 30 goals in 1978 and winning a Daily Express challenge with a late penalty against Chelsea. Burnham highlights Graeme Sharp’s 1982 volley, a 1984 Merseyside derby leap, Adrian Heath’s Highbury winner and Trevor Steven’s goal against Bayern Munich as standout moments.

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