Despite his recent sacking as Kedah menteri besar by Umno, former Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir still wields considerable influence on Kedah football.

This was demonstrated when a banner expressing support for him made an unlikely appearance at the recent Red Eagles' match against Terengganu at Alor Setar's Darul Aman Stadium last night.

The banner saying 'Hidup Mukhriz' appeared in the spectator stands as Kedah played Terangganu in a Super League fixture.

Kedah scraped through with a 1-0 win over the East Coast team.

''Hidup Mukhriz' banner suddenly apeared in Stadium Darul Aman,' read the Facebook status of the Mukhriz Mahathir FC page, operated by the ex-MB's supporters.

Mukhriz, who was Kedah FA president before letting go of the post after his sacking as MB, also followed the game.

'Watching the Kedah match from hospital. Pulun , Kedah pulun !' read Mukhriz's caption on an Instagram picture of him catching the game while keeping his child company in an unnamed hospital.

The Ayer Hitam assemblyperson was seen as the person responsible for returning glory and momentum to the northern football team leading to them being crowned as the Premier League champion last season.

The Red Eagles also went to the Malaysia Cup finals last year.

Mukhriz's exit from Kedah FA was also followed by the withdrawal of potential team sponsors in deals the former MB had personally negotiated for the Red Eagles.