Billy Cooper

[Paddy O'Dors]

I was in Australia in 1994/95 when those lads decided to start a fan based group of like minded individuals - seriously, that's all it was.

The popularity of it grew instantly and they scraped together their last few bucks to do a T Shirt run after the Adelaide test victory.

They sold the lot in 15 mins flat outside the WACA and some Aussie firms were there offering them sponsorships.

PB and DP soon had to take advice about trademarks etc and turn it into a corporate body. They have been in the "Corporate Game" Paddy for years.

The lad running it now is just down the road from me and is committed to its longevity and cause.

Merchandise is sold by a good friend of mine who is retired, loves his cricket and just wants to make a few quid for his digs and a beer whilst on month long trips.

I don't travel with them , prefer to do my own trips with friends but every tourist has his or her choice.

Some here are knocking the BA Tour packages. Why can't they offer them? They are only competing in the same space as Owzat travel and Gullivers et al.

I've never knocked them to any large degree, and as I've said, you pay your money it's up to you. If you have half a brain you can do your own tour. My only gripe is the amount of tickets that will go to hospitality packages. England fans should be looking after each other abroad, not looking to exploit each other. I know that's quite naive and socialist but I'm never gonna change from that.

 

[Rip Van Fish]

I've never knocked them to any large degree, and as I've said, you pay your money it's up to you. If you have half a brain you can do your own tour. My only gripe is the amount of tickets that will go to hospitality packages. England fans should be looking after each other abroad, not looking to exploit each other. I know that's quite naive and socialist but I'm never gonna change from that.

No and I don’t blame you one bit mate.

pretty much the same when I go to the Euro and World Cup Finals. Aircraft seats taken by agents before the draw is made and hotel rooms block booked by the fuckers at no cost to them if they don’t sell them. Cape Town was one example in the WC.
Always stayed at the Hol Inn GC on Mill Street. Management kindly reserved me 4 rooms at normal cost. They then had to phone me up telling me they were told to cancel it . I ended up staying just around the corner, three to a room.
I did call in whilst I was there and they were most apologetic as the order came from on high.
The hotel ended up with about 10 per cent occupancy