The Barmy Army has distanced itself from reports that Vic Flowers, the organisation’s former cheerleader, is to stand for Reform UK at next week’s local government elections.
Flowers, 74, rose to national fame in the early 2000s with his energetic support of England’s Test team, home and away. Habitually dressed in a St George’s cross singlet and stove-pipe hat, he was renowned for leading the crowd in a series of chants, most notably the ubiquitous “everywhere we go” song that is loved and loathed in equal measure by fans around the world.
In 2005, Flowers was invited on stage at Trafalgar Square to lead a 10,000-strong crowd in a celebratory rendition, after England’s open-top bus tour to celebrate that summer’s Ashes victory. Michael Vaughan, the then-captain, had described England’s fans as the team’s unofficial 12th man in the course of their historic 2-1 series win.
Now, however, Flowers is taking a different stage, having announced that he is standing as a Reform UK candidate for Oldham Council in next Thursday’s elections (May 7).
He confirmed his candidacy for the Medlock Vale ward on April 23, St George’s Day, while dressed in his familiar garb. Though he told the Manchester Evening News that he is “no politician”, he said that he was “very patriotic” and believed that his years in the public eye with the Barmy Army would aid his campaign.
“To stand up in front of a big crowd, it takes some guts,” he said. “I think you have got to have a certain amount of leadership in you. I discovered a lot about myself. Things have moved on now. Before it was cricket, now it was politics.”
Flowers was informally known as “Jimmy Savile” throughout his Barmy Army days due to his uncanny resemblance to the disgraced former entertainer. However, he was quietly retired from an official role with the organisation following Savile’s death in 2011, and the revelations that followed.
In a statement, the Barmy Army moved to distance themselves further from their former frontman.
“We wish to be clear that the individual referred to in recent media coverage, in connection with his candidacy for Reform UK at a local election, is not an active member of the Barmy Army, nor is he employed by, or affiliated with, the Barmy Army in any official capacity,” the organisation wrote.
“Any views attributed to him do not reflect the views, values or position of the Barmy Army as an organisation or its wider supporter community.
“The Barmy Army does not endorse any political agenda, candidate or campaign, and remains entirely focused on supporting England cricket in a way that unites and celebrates our supporters.
“We will be making no further comment on this matter.”
