FOOTBALL and politics are a tricky mix as the general election candidates in Blackburn have found out.

The unexpected appearance of ‘Venky’s Out’ candidate Duncan Miller has suddenly put their Rovers credentials in the spotlight.

Labour candidate Kate Hollern may be delighted she is not identified with Ewood Park like her predecessor Jack Straw.

But it’s not just in Blackburn that soccer loyalties play havoc with political ones.

Burnley Liberal Democrat candidate Gordon Birtwistle is a known supporter of the Clarets’ deadly rivals, Rovers, while Labour’s Julie Cooper, who took the seat in 2015, is a Turf Moor season ticket holder.

Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans admits to acquiring three soccer scarves during his 25 years as MP - one each for Preston North End, Blackburn and Burnley to reflect the different parts of the constituency.

Rossendale and Darwen Conservative candidate Jake Berry opts for supporting Liverpool as a get out.

Put on the spot he admits Blackburn Rovers are his second team and feels it is time for the Venky’s to go.

In Hyndburn, Labour’s Graham Jones is a season ticket holder both at Ewood Park and for Accrington Stanley and also backs the Venky’s departure providing better owner can be found.

Like Mr Berry he hopes Clarets’ fans in his former constituency are in a generous mood after staying in the Premier League.

His Tory opponent Kevin Horkin admits to little interest in football but watches Stanley ‘occasionally’.

Ditto his Conservative counterpart in Burnley Paul White at Turf Moor.

Back in Blackburn, Mrs Hollern agrees it’s time for the Venky’s to go, despite admitting she rarely, if ever, goes to Ewood.

Conservative candidate Bob Eastwood, a Rovers fan and soccer ground security consultant, is diplomatically neutral as befits a former senior police officer

LibDem candidate Irfan Ahmed pleads lack of knowledge as a part-time Manchester United fan.

Harold Wilson once claimed England’s 1996 world Cup victory won him an election.

This leaves Mrs Cooper hoping Burnley’s 2015 promotion to the Premiership and survival may have the same effect.

And Mrs Hollern praying that Rovers relegation and Mr Miller’ don’t have the reverse result.