'We have to stand up for ourselves'
In light of the West Indian board's dramatic increase on ticket prices for England's tour of the Caribbean in March and April, Freddie Auld spoke to Paul Burnham, head of the Barmy Army - find out his reaction
24-Jan-2004
In light of the West Indian board's dramatic increase on ticket prices for England's tour of the Caribbean in March and April, Freddie Auld spoke to Paul Burnham, head of the Barmy Army, - England's loyal band of supporters - to find out his reaction:
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The Barmy Army will depleted in numbers in the Caribbean © Getty Images |
What is your view on the hike in prices for England's tour of the Caribbean?
It's been creeping in gradually, to be honest. More and more money has been put on tickets for England games abroad, we even saw it in Sri Lanka. However, the lateness of this action from the West Indies board, last October, is just not good enough. A small majority of the Barmy Army are fortunate enough to be able to drop everything and afford to go, but the majority of our members have to book up well in advance. Some of them sacrificed the rugby World Cup for a trip to the Caribbean, and they're understandably not very happy. Some are still going to go, but are not going to watch the games in protest.
It's been creeping in gradually, to be honest. More and more money has been put on tickets for England games abroad, we even saw it in Sri Lanka. However, the lateness of this action from the West Indies board, last October, is just not good enough. A small majority of the Barmy Army are fortunate enough to be able to drop everything and afford to go, but the majority of our members have to book up well in advance. Some of them sacrificed the rugby World Cup for a trip to the Caribbean, and they're understandably not very happy. Some are still going to go, but are not going to watch the games in protest.
How are other supporters reacting?
Everyone is together on this, but everyone has different ways of dealing with it. You can't blame someone on their first Barmy Army tour for wanting to go and get behind the team. We don't want to harm the tour or let this overshadow it, and we don't want this to effect the team, but we've got to make a protest. The West Indies' PR has been poor. They told us about this price increase far too late, and what's more, they haven't even given a proper explanation into the reasons for doing it.
Everyone is together on this, but everyone has different ways of dealing with it. You can't blame someone on their first Barmy Army tour for wanting to go and get behind the team. We don't want to harm the tour or let this overshadow it, and we don't want this to effect the team, but we've got to make a protest. The West Indies' PR has been poor. They told us about this price increase far too late, and what's more, they haven't even given a proper explanation into the reasons for doing it.
Do you know how many people have cancelled their trips?
About 25 to 30% have cancelled. And I would guess that an awful lot more are um-ing and ah-ing, so that figure may end up being even higher. It will make a big difference in terms of people on the islands, but the grounds will still be near enough full, but not overflowing. Maybe it was a cunning plan by the board to not have overcrowding, but it went about it in the wrong way.
About 25 to 30% have cancelled. And I would guess that an awful lot more are um-ing and ah-ing, so that figure may end up being even higher. It will make a big difference in terms of people on the islands, but the grounds will still be near enough full, but not overflowing. Maybe it was a cunning plan by the board to not have overcrowding, but it went about it in the wrong way.
Are any supporters going out with no tickets, and hoping to buy some out there from locals?
There are definitely people planning to go out without tickets. Whether they're planning to buy some off locals, who knows? The West Indies board said that wouldn't be able to happen, but I'm not sure how it's going to stop it. We don't want to create any bad feeling, but we have to stand up for ourselves. My personal view is that we should pay the levy, and still go out and support the team even more, and have even more fun.
There are definitely people planning to go out without tickets. Whether they're planning to buy some off locals, who knows? The West Indies board said that wouldn't be able to happen, but I'm not sure how it's going to stop it. We don't want to create any bad feeling, but we have to stand up for ourselves. My personal view is that we should pay the levy, and still go out and support the team even more, and have even more fun.
What do you think of the new website set up, www.WIshame.org?
I've had a look at it, and it's good. It's done by a supporter called Paul. He's paid the levy and he's agreeing with us, saying that we've got to stick up for ourselves. The whole problem with this ticket fiasco is that we've had no clear truth on the matter from the West Indies. We've had conflicting messages, and they've come too late.
I've had a look at it, and it's good. It's done by a supporter called Paul. He's paid the levy and he's agreeing with us, saying that we've got to stick up for ourselves. The whole problem with this ticket fiasco is that we've had no clear truth on the matter from the West Indies. We've had conflicting messages, and they've come too late.
Have you spoken to the West Indies board?
No, but we're hoping to meet with someone from the Barbados tourist board next week for an explanation, and to see if there are any other things they can help us out with. It's important we make sure we get together and talk it over, rather than just blame everyone for everything. We don't want to fall out with West Indies fans. You have to remember that the most important thing is what's happening on the pitch.
No, but we're hoping to meet with someone from the Barbados tourist board next week for an explanation, and to see if there are any other things they can help us out with. It's important we make sure we get together and talk it over, rather than just blame everyone for everything. We don't want to fall out with West Indies fans. You have to remember that the most important thing is what's happening on the pitch.
But the West Indies board has to take the majority of the blame?
If it came out earlier and said, "This is a case of supply and demand, we're providing popular quality entertainment, so prices are going up, take it or leave it," then that would have been better. But there was no united, clear PR message from them, and that's not fair.
If it came out earlier and said, "This is a case of supply and demand, we're providing popular quality entertainment, so prices are going up, take it or leave it," then that would have been better. But there was no united, clear PR message from them, and that's not fair.
Are many demonstrations being planned in the grounds?
We've got a plan of action on our website, www.barmy-army.com, and we're not encouraging people to cause trouble with loud protests at the grounds. We're more interested in supporting the team. There may be protests, supporters will show their displeasure in different ways, but we're not encouraging trouble.
We've got a plan of action on our website, www.barmy-army.com, and we're not encouraging people to cause trouble with loud protests at the grounds. We're more interested in supporting the team. There may be protests, supporters will show their displeasure in different ways, but we're not encouraging trouble.