Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made a surprise appearance in Liverpool yesterday - watching a special community football match involving refugees and asylum seekers.
The Labour leader was in the city for the Uni Global Union World Congress - but stopped off for a flying visit at the match, which is organised by the City of Liverpool FC.
The match - which is organised by The Purps' Community team - is held regularly held and involves asylum seekers, refugees and homeless people - with the aim of helping them to become more involved in the community.
But yesterday, those turning out at the Everton Park Sports Centre had a spectator that they could not have expected - as Mr Corbyn took his place on the touchline.
He was invited down as a guest of Walton MP Dan Carden, who is a supporter of the group.
And he posed with a Purple Partisans scarf and a City of Liverpool shirt - briefly venturing away from his Arsenal allegiances for the cause.
Mr Carden tweeted: "I took @JeremyCorbyn to a project which supports refugee and homeless people through football."
He said while at the match, he also showed his party leader a special 'Artists for Corbyn' red carpet which has been created from the signatures of more than 3,000 local artists who support the Islington MP.
Newly elected Everton councillor Ian Byrne - who is also a founder of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks initiative - helped to organise the visit.
He said: "Dan was honoured to welcome Jeremy to Everton Park yesterday to experience the fantastic work done by the COLFC Community Team.
"The project along with its partner, Fans Supporting Foodbanks, makes a hugely positive contribution to Everton's community.
"Myself and Jane Corbett as Everton ward councillors were delighted by the warm welcome given by our community to Jeremy and equally delighted that he mentioned the project in his speech at Uni-Global before a world wide audience of trade unionists."
Following the surprise visit, the City of Liverpool FC twitter account posted a message stating: "What a picture and what a day. Boss to have @jeremycorbyn come visit us and see the work that we are doing in the community. Not many team photos we'll take will beat this one #Morethanfootball #refugeeswelcome
The Purps were formed in 2015 and currently play in the North West Counties Premier Division.
Speaking after the event, Mr Carden said: "I'd like to Jeremy for taking the time out to visit and meet with the community in Everton.
"With Jeremy as leader the Labour party received its best ever election results across Liverpool last year and people here want to see a Labour government and Jeremy in Number 10 as soon as possible."
