Barmy Army at the Hockey

In full voice at the hockey Photo © Barmy Army

When Helen Grant and her team-mates walked out for their Women's World Cup hockey game against Australia last Friday, they were shocked by the huge welcome they received.

Hundreds of the Barmy Army had come straight from the first day of the test match in Perth to lend their support to the England Hockey team, and they greeted the team's entrance with the same vocal intensity usually afforded to the cricket side.

Earlier in November, Helen had realised that the Hockey World Cup was on in Perth as the same time as the test match, and so put a post on the Barmy Army message board asking if any cricket fans in Perth could come along to support the hockey as well.

Cleverly she added, "If you get the chance, come and check out our ball control ... and our short skirts".

Maybe she could convince a few to come down and watch.

She didn't quite anticipate the response.

"That exceeded all our expectations", Helen commented. "When we came out, the chants were so loud it was amazing".

She added her thoughts on the effect of the support.

"It's not hard to get yourself motivated for a big game anyway, and for a women's hockey game, we've had big crowds before, but never quite as vocal. It gave us an extra lift".

After the final ball had been bowled at the WACA, coaches had been organised to transport the England fans straight to the hockey.

After a long day standing and cheering on the cricket team, the Barmy Army still found the energy to get fully behind the hockey side.

England unfortunately lost a hard fought game 3-1, but the Army did have something to cheer about when Leisa King scored a first half equaliser.

Despite the majority of the crowd supporting the home team, Leisa said the support the English team received made a big difference.

"It felt like at least half the crowd were behind us. The England fans made so much noise".

Leisa also commented on the intensity of the game.

"After the Commonwealth games (when England had defeated Australia in Manchester), it was a bit of a grudge game for the Australians. They really had to play their best game to beat us".

"But when we came out and lined up before the start of the game, the noise from the England fans was so loud, I couldn't help but look around and smile. The Aussies didn't know what had hit them!"

Popular choice amongst the Army for 'Player' of the match was number 8, Anna Bennett. She said that the players had definitely been helped by the support they received.

The players come over to show their appreciation Photo © Barmy Army

"Sometimes we only play in front of one man and his dog, so it was good to play in front of a full crowd. And the support we received was so good, the England fans just didn't stop singing".

The day after the Australia game, England played Japan in front of a small crowd, and Anna admitted it was difficult to lift themselves.

"It was a really quiet atmosphere, and after being on such a massive high the night before, it was mentally tough to pick yourself up for another game".

Anna finished by saying how much she'd enjoyed the whole event.

"It was a great night and the support was really appreciated by the team".

A final thought goes to goalkeeper Hilary Rose. As the team were doing a lap of the pitch, Hilary and some of her team-mates decided to go a step further.

They ran right into where the Barmy Army were standing and quite literally embraced the crowd.

"It was a spur of the moment thing, the fans had supported us so well for the whole game and we wanted to show our appreciation".

Hilary, however, was unprepared for what happened next as she was pulled up fully into the crowd, almost doing a body surf over them.

Of course, no harm was done, and Hilary laughed about the whole thing, "It was all part of the fun".

Just as at the cricket, in spite of the result, the England supporters certainly enjoyed themselves. Overall, it was a really good night, sure to be remembered for a long time, by both the players and the fans who were there.