Vic Flowers, once the booming voice at the front of England’s travelling support, is swapping bucket hats for ballot papers. The 74-year-old has confirmed he will stand for Reform UK in next Thursday’s local elections, contesting the Medlock Vale ward on Oldham Council.
Flowers made his name in the early 2000s, belting out terrace favourites in a sleeveless St George’s cross top and a tall stove-pipe hat. His signature chant – the ever-present “everywhere we go” – became both soundtrack and earworm on England tours. After the dramatic 2005 Ashes win, he even joined the players on stage in Trafalgar Square, where then-captain Michael Vaughan hailed England fans as “the team’s unofficial 12th man”.
Announcing his candidacy on St George’s Day, Flowers admitted to the Manchester Evening News that he is “no politician”, but added that he is “very patriotic” and hopes years of leading songs will translate to political persuasion. “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.”
While prominent in the stands, Flowers was never a formal employee of the Barmy Army and stepped back from any active role after 2011. During his touring days he was informally nicknamed “Jimmy Savile” because of a passing resemblance to the disgraced entertainer – a comparison that became increasingly uncomfortable once posthumous revelations about Savile emerged.
The Barmy Army has issued a detailed statement, keen to underline clear blue water between the supporters’ club and their former cheerleader:
“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.”
Reform UK hopes Flowers’ name recognition will resonate with voters who associate him with rousing Ashes mornings rather than council meetings. Local political analysts, though, point out that turning terrace popularity into ballot-box success is rarely straightforward. The Medlock Vale ward has recently leaned Labour, and independents have struggled to break through.
Flowers remains undeterred. He believes the confidence gained from serenading thousands can help him navigate leafleting sessions and hustings. Whether that optimism delivers votes will be clear once the counts are completed on 7 May.
