Sir Tim Rice saw Luton Town but became Sunderland fan

Lyricist Sir Tim Rice has revealed the first football game he attended was at Luton Town Football Club.

The former St Albans School pupil recalled that most of his classmates “supported Luton or Watford", although he bucked this trend by supporting Sunderland.

He recalled: “Tom Finney was playing for Preston, he was one of the great footballers of the era, I remember the game very well.

“It was terrific going to Kenilworth Road for the first time and, of course, they’re still playing there, which is amazing.”

Sir Tim Rice remembers watching Sir Tom Finney play for Preston North End at Kenilworth Road

The Jesus Christ Superstar lyricist also revealed how he became a Sunderland fan despite growing up about 260 miles away in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

He said: “I just wanted a team that was different, and I looked down the league table and saw a town called Sunderland”

Sir Tim picked the Black Cats as he thought their name sounded “like a tropical island”.

The 79-year-old, who is returning to St Albans on a new tour, admitted he still kept up with the Hatters.

He laughed: “I do follow Luton and I was very pleased when they went up except… They went up beating Sunderland.”