Founders of a football tribute attraction in Manchester have accused Andy Burnham, the current Prime Minister, of repeatedly ignoring their pleas to intervene when the attraction was ordered to be removed. The Football Walk of Fame, established in 2016, featured around 40 plaques honouring celebrated figures in football.
In 2023, Manchester City Council decided to remove the Walk of Fame to make way for an ice rink and seasonal event stands. This decision prompted dismay from the attraction's founders, who claim their appeals for Burnham's support went unanswered.
"I wrote to Andy Burnham on two occasions on behalf of Paul Trevillion [the acclaimed sports artist who co-created the walk] and myself to request his intervention and support," co-founder David Courtney stated. "However, my request fell on deaf ears. He was easy to get hold of when he wanted to pose for the cameras but not when he actually had to stand up for something. This felt incredibly frustrating, especially given Andy Burnham’s public, deeply personal ties to football culture."
The attraction was launched in collaboration with the National Football Museum and its opening ceremony was attended by Sir Bobby Charlton, marking 50 years since England's 1966 World Cup victory. Plaques on the walk included tributes to Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Geoff Hurst, and Manchester United legend George Best.
Burnham, a known season ticket holder for Everton FC, was previously pictured with sporting legend Denis Law unveiling a plaque for Jimmy Greaves on the Walk of Fame in 2017. Downing Street did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.