Barmy Army ready to storm NZ

They've been quietly infiltrating their men into New Zealand for the better part of a couple of years and more. Indeed, one agent has been among you all for no less than 10 months, quietly working away in preparation.

They're the first troops of the army that will storm New Zealand about the time the Lions land at the start of their seven-week tour.

They are, of course, the infamous Barmy Army, supporters of sport in Britain and known the world over hitherto for their raucous support of England's cricket team abroad.

If New Zealand suspected it wasn't quite sure just what hosting a Lions tour these days actually means, then I have news for you. When the Barmy Army hit your beaches, life will never seem the same again.

Of course, they will target your wives, daughters, pubs and cheap hotels and guest houses! Some will be there already, picking fruit in some quiet location in an attempt to build up their funds for what is certain to be the best supported Lions tour in history.

There have been all kinds of figures plucked out of the air in estimate of the total number of fans from Britain and Ireland heading for New Zealand. The latest figure is 20,000. And that's one heck of a lot of extra people to keep supplied with beers, meals, beds and such like.

But not much fazes representatives of this small, English-based touring support group which punches hugely above its weight. For as Nicky Bowes, manager at the Barmy Army headquarters in England, says: "A lot of fans are going out to New Zealand without tickets for the tests. But they just want to be there for the atmosphere, for the craic.

"I suppose there is always a chance they might pick up a ticket on the day outside and manage to get in. But a lot of fans don't really mind whether they do or not. They just want to be there, associated with the tour."

In truth, the Barmy Army will not be making travel arrangements for that many fans. Although the company, now in its 10th year, does have a travel business partner, many fans will have made their own arrangements.

But the rendezvous for the members of this particular army will be in major centres, such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. There, they will mingle, introduce themselves to one another, make friends and proceed to share and enjoy the tour. It's the simplest of concepts, but it works brilliantly.

As many as 30,000 overseas rugby followers will be handed a discount card capable of being used at 10 of the top retailers in New Zealand, when they arrive at an airport.

The Barmy Army is also putting its name to a purpose-built headquarters capable of holding 6500 at Britomart in Auckland.

It is a tented village with giant screens, cafes, retail outlets and such like, with four or five different themed bars.

There will be other official Barmy Army centres in the main centres and places like Queenstown.

This invading army intends to infiltrate thoroughly. They have worked closely with Lion Breweries to ensure their troops never suffer from thirst on this long, arduous invasion.

Prime requirement of Barmy Army troopers is to ensure your liquid supplies are established and working.

Bowes says: "This is really our first foray into rugby, we've always been known as a cricket-based organisation. But the links between the two sports are quite strong and we are going to see how it goes on this tour.

"It's probably true to say, a lot of New Zealanders don't know what's going to hit them when all these supporters arrive. But they will all be looking for fun and a good time. Our role mission is to make supporting and watching sport much more fun and much more popular."

The organisation came about by accident during the 1994-95 Ashes cricket tour of Australia. Although the English team were losing, their fans continued to sing lustily at each test.

These people are barmy, and there's enough of them to make up an army, someone said. It stuck.

But money-making was by no means the driving force behind the idea when it was officially set up.

Now, they do make money from merchandising and tours, and the whole thing has mushroomed.

But Bowes says: "We have only four people working in the organisation's offices here and obviously, we cannot be responsible for every individual who travels abroad. But we certainly encourage anyone associated with us to have fun, but also behave well."