But not the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport.

Chris Smith congratulates "the finest team in the land"

In Friday morning's sport debate Chris Smith, the MP for Islington South and Finsbury, congratulated Arsenal for doing the double - and proved himself a real 'Gunner'.

The north London club, whose Highbury ground is in Islington, won both the Football League and the FA Cup.

Rising to the challenge

John Bercow (Con, Buckingham) decided that Mr Smith should have a chance to prove his credentials as a true Gunner. He asked: "I'm delighted to learn that he appears to be an Arsenal supporter. In a friendly spirit, can I test the Rt Hon gentleman'd knowledge of Arsenal's successful past? Can the Secretary of State tell the House who scored the winning goal for Arsenal when they last won the FA Cup, and indeed the double, in 1971?"

Posing an awkward question...

Mr Smith rose to challenge. With some satisfaction and to the appreciative murmurs of backbenchers he informed the House, "I believe it was Charlie George".

Having buried the metaphorical ball in the back of the net, the Secretary of State took the opportunity to press home his advantage:

"There is a fine and honourable tradition of Islington people supporting what is undoubtedly the best team in the land," he said.

Congratulations all round

Staying on the subject of football, Mr Smith was not slow to recognise the achievements of the team supported by the Minister for Sport, Tony Banks.

Chelsea FC, he said, were to be congratulated on winning the Coca Cola Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

He also congratulated the England cricket team on their performance on the first day of the first Test match against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Kiss of death

He singled out former captain Mike Atherton, who at the close of play on Thursday night was on 103 not out:

"May I offer congratualtions to the England team on the first day at Edgbaston and particularly to Mike Atherton on his century and still, of course, not out," he said.