What football team does Rishi Sunak support?

As politicians try to convince the electorate that they're just 'normal people', they often turn to football as a device to win favour.

Many politicians of both modern and past eras have failed to navigate this tightrope. After all, basic maths would tell you that not all politicians are likely to be football fans.

However, whether they are truly die-hard supporters or they exaggerate their fandom, their allegiances and interest in the beautiful game certainly have the power to influence the British public.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the leader of the Conservative Party Rishi Sunak and his football connections.

Who does Rishi Sunak support?

Sunak is on the record as a Southampton fan. He was born in Southampton in 1980 and is the eldest of three siblings, having a brother, Sanjay, and a sister, Raakhi. He attended Stroud School, a prep school in Romsey, and Winchester College, an independent boys' boarding school.

His father, Yashvir, had a season ticket with Southampton, while Sunak has previously revealed he was given a signed card from the Saints squad for his 18th birthday, which has since become "one of his most prized possessions".

Michael Ashcroft's biography of Sunak, titled 'Going For Broke: The Rise of Rishi Sunak', revealed the naughtiest thing the Tory PM did while at Winchester "was to smuggle a hand-held television into the school so that he did not miss any key games of Euro 96". That tournament was held in England and the Three Lions reached the semi finals, where they were eliminated on penalties by Germany.

Sunak expressed his fondness for the Saints as they earned promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the 2023/24 season. Following the Championship play-off semi-final victory over West Brom at St Mary's Stadium, a game he attended, the Tory MP shared his joy.

"Well, it was great to be at St Mary’s on Friday night with my family," said Sunak. "I have never experienced an atmosphere like that at St Mary’s, for years at least. It was really brilliant, I am really delighted for everyone.

"I am looking forward to Sunday, hoping Che Adams is fit and we can march back up to the Premier League. Here we come."

Southampton won the play-off final against Leeds United by a single goal, with Sunak simply tweeting "we're back".

The football clubs politicians support

Leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer is also a football supporter. The 61-year-old is actually a season ticket holder at Arsenal, the team he has supported since a young age having been born in London. He can often be seen at the Emirates on matchday with his children, while he still enjoys the odd kickabout in the capital.

His predecessor Jeremy Corbyn didn't share many beliefs with Starmer, but they did both support the Gunners. Former Labour leader Ed Miliband is also football fan, supporting Leeds United.

Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson is a well-known rugby man, among many, many, many other things, but has previously announced his footballing allegiances. He said he simply supports "all of the London teams" during his time as the capital's mayor.

Old PM David Cameron has previously scored the own goal of confusing the teams he says he supports. Having always backed Aston Villa, he got his clarets and blues mixed up when addressing a crowd at an event celebrating multiculturalism in Britain in 2015.

He said: "We are a shining example of a country where multiple identities work. Where you can be Welsh and Hindu and British, Northern Irish and Jewish and British; where you can wear a kilt and a turban; where you can wear a hijab covered in poppies. Where you can support Manchester United, the Windies and Team GB at the same time. Of course, I’d rather you supported West Ham."

The single thought of Michael Gove is enough to make anyone squeal and squirm, and he can also be seen tweeting his support for Queens Park Rangers. As if they haven't suffered enough in recent times, eh?

Despite Conservative Party leader Sunak being a Saints fan, cabinet member Penny Mordaunt supports their fiercest rivals Portsmouth. She was born in Torquay but grew up in Hampshire.

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