ENGLAND’S biggest ever fan exodus kicked off yesterday as it was revealed 350,000 trips are planned to Euro 2024 in Germany.
Fans desperate for a boozy break from the washout early summer and dreary election coverage are on their way to roar on Harry Kane and the boys.
With the tournament within easy travel distance, at least 40,000 were expected in the first wave of The Great Escape this weekend ahead of England’s opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen tomorrow.
UK Football Policing Unit director Mick Johnson told The Sun: “This is the first major tournament England fans have been able to travel to since 2016 and a lot of fans want to come to Germany to join the party.
“At the World Cup in Germany in 2006, around 300,000 travelled but the figure is estimated at around 350,000 this time, so it is something of a record.”
Asked about the election, he laughed: “That has to be the main story on why the fans want to get away — you can’t turn the TV on without seeing it!”
Tournament veteran Simon Harris, who helped manage the London England Fans supporters club, said: “There’s a whole new generation of young fans ready to travel. There’ll be lots of singing and drinking beer.”
At home, the millions watching on TV will include Paul Bibby, 58 — in a house covered by England flags in Chelmsford, Essex.
Over in Germany, the Three Lions army began drinking the strong beer in the bars of Gelsenkirchen and nearby fan bases.
London builder Tom Parkinson, 40, said in Dusseldorf: “I just wanted to escape the weather and the election back home — it’s so dreary I wanted to get away.”
But there will be booze bans on match day and only weak beer or shandy will be served in the Arena AufSchalke stadium amid worries about fan clashes.
Police fear 500 hardcore Serbian hooligans are on their way and warned England fans against getting drunk and aggressive.
But The Sun revealed yesterday that cops will ignore fans smoking cannabis – which was legalised in Germany on April 1.
Feeling Blue?
BRITISH troops kept the French football team awake from all-night war games.
Troops from the 19th Light Brigade drilled with cannons, assault rifles and flash bang grenades for three nights in a row — as the team headed by Kylian Mbappe, tried to rest.
Locals were furious to hear the loud noises at 3am from the British-run base in Sennelager, Germany.
The Blues moved into a hotel in Bad Lippspringe just a mile away on Wednesday.
A source in the French camp said: “People have said it’s like being in a war zone.”
The Army said they had planned the exercise months in advance.
Fears of rise in violence
POLICE and the Women’s Aid charity fear a domestic abuse spike when England play Serbia.
A previous study found that 999 calls increased by 38 per cent when England lose and 26 per cent when they win.
Known abusers have been cross-checked with hooligans.
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “The vast majority of men who watch football would never dream of abusing their partner. But we need their help in calling out those who would.”