RUGBY Football League bosses are expecting Bradford Bulls fans to outnumber 'Darryl Van de Velde's barmy army' two to one at the Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi-final.

The big day is April 1 at Huddersfield Giants' McAlpine Stadium and both teams will be allocated 10,000 tickets each. The remainder of tickets will be kept back for sales outside of the clubs to try and fill the 27,000 capacity.

Wherever the 'barmy army' goes it out-sings and out-shouts the opposition but club chiefs are urging fans to get behind the team in terms of quantity as well as quality - starting with Sunday's first home Super League game of 2001 against Hull FC.

The club is aiming to smash its Super League attendance record to give the team the biggest chance possible of making Wilderspool a fortress this year.

The current record stands at 9,086 set last season against St. Helens. For the first game of the year 2000 campaign 8,918 turned up to witness Warrington thump London Broncos 48-18.

Hull estimate on bringing almost 2,000 which means that Warrington need to muster just more than 7,000 spectators at least.

The Wolves' marketing and community cogs have been turning in overdrive this week to set up the biggest opening home game bonanza the club has seen.

Players and coaches have blitzed 45 schools in the town, delivering assemblies, coaching the children, handing out tickets to see the Hull game and free posters in a bid to pack the ground out to its 9,571 capacity come 3pm Sunday.

The day itself is also gearing up to be the most entertaining yet.

The game day will start at 1.45pm with the Miller Sevens Primary Schools rugby tournament. There will be a grand entrance by Wolfie, followed by a live performance from Freddie Mercury (Stars in Your Eyes winner), who will be blasting out some Queen classics.

Plus the Starlites return after a week off practising their new dance routines.

Other attractions worth turning up for are prize giveaways of 50 rugby balls and posters and the Warrington Peace festival in partnership with the Fleadh in celebration of St Patrick's Day in which Under 11s rugby teams from Warrington, Scotland and Wales will compete.

Chief operations officer Adam Jude said: "We want to set a precedent on the first home game for the rest to follow.

"We know we have the best fans and the team really responds to our crowd getting behind them.

"I want to invite all those who have never been to watch Warrington before to come along. All season ticket holders should bring along one of their mates who hasn't been to Wilderspool before.

"It is going to be the biggest entertainment ever put on at Wilderspool and I am confident that the town can pull together to break the record."

The Wolves have teamed up with the Warington Guardian to make entry to the game more accessible than ever.

On page 75 there are special '2 Pac' offers which give discounts and savings on entrance to the match.

Children aged 16 and under can get in for £1 with the cut-out voucher and for adults they will receive a 25 per cent discount if they purchase tickets for both Warrington's consecutive home games against Hull and Salford together.

The Challenge Cup semi-final will be all-ticket and the tickets go on sale from Monday at 9.30am at the club shop. The shop will be open until 7pm on Monday and then every Thursday late night opening will extend the time you can purchase tickets until 8pm.

Ticket prices for seats at the McAlpine are £20, £15 and £10 for adults and £14, £10 and £6 with concessions.