Fans head to sun or depart for home

They were an army, they did invade - but don't ever call them barmy.

Auckland's hospitality sector has been underwhelmed by this week's Lions' invasion - but the blame lies with the weather and the state of the series, not the pre-tour hype from Barmy Army spokesman Freddie Parker.

Many events planned by the army's Viaduct Basin headquarters were cancelled midweek but event manager Tony Stevenson blamed the "sodden, miserable" weather.

Predictions of up to 25,000 fans sampling Auckland's attractions proved inflated as many decamped to the Bay of Islands or the Gold Coast in search of sun. Fans planning a final-week dash from Britain cancelled after the heavy second test defeat.

Mr Stevenson, who outlaid tens of thousands hiring the old Alinghi base, obtaining resource consent and filling the venue with TV screens, says he is happy with the turnout, although it comes and goes. A fair number are local expats and All Black supporters.

"On game days it's been spectacular - we were at maximum [6000] capacity for the second test last weekend and we had a very large crowd on Tuesday night [the Auckland game].

"But you don't have to go too far to realise [the Lions supporters] are not all here. Some have stayed out of town and it's fair to say some of the interest from fans is waning now that the test series is lost."

As for Mr Parker, the advance scout who touted the spending power of 25,000 fans to an industry rubbing its hands, Mr Stevenson had no complaints.

"We are comfortable with our relationship with the Barmy Army. They've delivered everything they said they would.

"We think we've achieved the numbers we needed but the real test will be the next couple of days."

Up and down the country, the story has been the same. The Barmy Army proved a phantom, but British and Irish rugby supporters more than filled the rearguard.

Only two words were guaranteed to make them see red: Freddie Parker.

In a humming Kingsland bar, mild-mannered Scottish fans nearly lost their kilts when asked about Freddie.

"The Barmy Army is cricket. We are rugby fans," said the proudly independent Scots.

Mr Parker toured the country with Lion Nathan representatives last year warning hoteliers to be prepared for up to 25,000 visitors.

He struck up discount deals with leisure operators and the likes of Pizza Hut, Liquor King and Kodak Express. He arranged for Barmy Army bases as well as recommended bars in each town.

But he will not be welcome back in one or two venues, having persuaded owners to invest heavily in giant TV screens, live entertainment, marquees and amusements but then failing to deliver punters.

Nick Mills, owner of Wellington's Chicago Sports Cafe, said Mr Parker approached his manager last year seeking a percentage of drink takings in exchange for crowd guarantees "but we weren't interested".

Mr Mills said 2000 fans visited his bar last Saturday for the second test, "but it was one day". "The industry and the rugby union tried to sell this thing as huge. But a good Super 12 game would equal what we were getting for these games."

However, other base venues spoken to by the Weekend Herald were happy.

"It was a bit of an unknown quantity how many would come down to Southland but we did a week's trade in one night," said Appleby Tavern manager Nathan Pennicott.

"[Mr Parker] was pretty straight with us. He didn't hype it up like people say. No one complained they didn't get a share."

Mr Pennicott doubted that Mr Parker had personally milked the tour. "

Lion Nathan sponsorship director Barry Guerin said Mr Parker alerted the industry last year that 20,000 supporters would be coming but never claimed they were Barmy Army members.

"It was a big wake-up call that they were coming here to have a good time and we needed to be ready."

Mr Guerin said the numbers proved correct for the tests in Christchurch and Wellington, "and those who listened benefited greatly".

Mr Parker remains upbeat.

"It's been brilliant. New Zealand has put on a great show. It started in Rotorua and just carried on. Every region has had something to offer."

He estimated that several thousand Barmy Army members were among the fans.

"What we don't do is put tattoos on our heads when we're out and about. We are not a commercial entity, we are a fan club run by volunteers.

"There were no commercial deals by any of the lads. No one was asking for takings."

Mr Parker, a 31-year-old policeman on "a five-year career break", will be back in London in time for the Ashes cricket series.

After that, "it's possible I will be putting on my police uniform". He also has a girlfriend to consider.

But the next Barmy Army tour - England cricketers to Australia - is just 16 months away and Mr Parker is keen to "help out".

Third test

* Eden Park gates open 4pm.
* Pre-match entertainment 6.35pm.
* Kick-off 7.10pm.

Restricted traffic

* Around Eden Park.
* A large part of Sandringham Rd may be closed. There will be a detour along New North Rd, Morningside Drive, Bournemouth Ave and Atoha Ave.
* Roads around Eden Park, including Reimers Ave, Cricket Ave and Walters Rd, will be closed.
* Only residents, buses and emergency vehicles allowed in restricted zone. Residents allowed through cordons on honesty basis. Auckland City advocates parking further away and walking to the free neighbourhood shuttle bus.
* Streets around the Barmy Army headquarters in Halsey St will also be closed from 4am today until 11pm tomorrow. Closures will affect Halsey St between Gaunt and Madden Sts, and Pakenham St West between Daldy and Halsey Sts.

Tips for ticket-holders

* Arrive early - from 4pm.
* Enter the ground via the street closest to your seat.
* Catch a bus to the park - extra services operating.
* Catch a train to Kingsland. Extra services running (See www.maxx.co.nz, or ring 366-6400 for timetables).
* Park well away and walk. Those on foot will have priority leaving Eden Park after the game.

Tips for Auckland residents

* Avoid major roads round Eden Park (including Dominion, Balmoral and Sandringham Rds).
* Make alternative travel arrangements.
* For more information call the city council's hotline on (09) 379-1350 or visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/lions