THE spearhead of England's soccer army hit Johannesburg yesterday - led by St George.
Barmy fan Paul Farrell wore the knight's garb on the PLANE for the 12-hour flight to South Africa. And after landing he boldly marched through CUSTOMS to loud laughter and applause.
Paul, 48, led the initial charge of 2,000 Three Lions followers who arrived on flights yesterday.
See below how fans in England are counting down to kick-off...
Inn the spirit ... pub daubed with flag in Braunton, Devon
Made up ... face-painted fans on Thorpe Park rollercoaster
And their numbers are expected to swell to more than 25,000 by the time of our boys' curtain-raiser clash against the USA on Saturday night. Paul, a bar boss from Skegness, Lincs, said: "I just want to have a great time in South Africa and cheer England on."
Air smiles ... Lineker, with minder behind
Paul - with his 20-year-old student son Luke and pal Peter Blackmore, 47 - reckoned his trip will cost him £5,000.
As he got a welcome hug from local fan Neo Legia, 25, he said: "It's worth every penny, everyone's so friendly."
Bars in Rustenburg, where England are based, were gearing up for the fans' invasion last night with one stocking 1.2MILLION pints of beer.
Two early arrivals, Gary Norton and Sheila Thornton, were soon sampling local hooch in bar shacks near the 44,000-seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Gary said: "It is a wonderful place. We came early so we can explore and we are very happy."
Famous faces arriving at Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport included England legend Kevin Keegan, ITV host Adrian Chiles and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. The English throng cheerfully exchanged banter with groups of Argentinian supporters and scores of Mexicans, whose team face South Africa in the tournament's opening match. Huddersfield Town fan Matthew Castle, 21, a student from Wakefield, West Yorks, said: "Seeing all these people and all this buzz is awesome."
His uni pal Dan Thomas, 21, from Guernsey, added: "I'm really excited. I can't wait."
Stars ... Shakira and Fergie in Johannesburg
Adrian Nunn, 46, from Norwich, added: "I've been looking forward to this for ages. It has been great with all the different nationalities."
Also arriving yesterday was BBC soccer presenter Gary Lineker, who was shadowed by a tough Iraq war hero drafted in to guard him.
Ex-commando Craig Summers met Gary and fellow frontman Alan Hansen at Cape Town Airport and escorted them to the Mandela Rhodes Hotel.
Craig, 44, will oversee their protection during the tournament, where presenters have been identified as possible robbery and kidnap targets.
He famously took charge and ferried TV newsman John Simpson to safety after a terrifying friendly fire incident in Iraq. Meanwhile pop star Shakira, who will sing the official World Cup anthem at the opening ceremony, visited a Soweto school.
And Fergie, singer with US group the Black Eyed Peas, paid a trip to the Soccer City stadium.
Back in England, World Cup fever swept the land with streets, pubs, cars and even amusement rides at Surrey's Thorpe Park painted with St George's crosses.
Two early arrivals, Gary Norton and Sheila Thornton, were soon sampling local hooch in bar shacks near the 44,000-seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium. 
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