"We've come along and felt the warmth of friendship from the Portuguese people and authorities," said Mark Perryman.

"They've told us that they're glad we're here, that they're not quivering in their boots and we are saying - don't fear us, we want to be loved not loathed."

Most fans said England supporters suffered unduly from a negative press which created prejudice and led to "closed bars, full hotels and riot police on the streets".

"In my experience the English fans are very good, lots of fun. I think they get a rough deal in the media," said Sven Aagg Hansen, a Norwegian who switched allegiance to England after Norway failed to qualify for the tournament.

Simon Copson from Reading agreed: "The media betray England fans very badly. There's often fighting at games in Holland, in Italy, but it's not reported.

"In England, you only need someone to belch at a game and it's back page news."

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES

These fans intend to go the extra mile to "celebrate Englishness" and change the popular view of England supporters, tarnished by rioting at Euro 2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium and at the 1998 World Cup in France.

"We know we have a problem minority but too often we've allowed them to paint that picture for us," Perryman said.

"The fact is, we've got a bad reputation whether we deserve it or not... We have to begin to repaint the picture and show off the best side of English culture."

Fans' groups like London England Fans have joined up with the British Council to arrange a host of activities aimed at fostering links between fans.

These include a bowling evening and five-a-side tournament for under-privileged children near Lisbon, and a school visit in Faro to inject life into an English class by teaching them terrace chants such as "Who ate all the pies?".

London England Fans is also raising money to bring a group of deprived children to England for a week, taking in a visit to the Lake District and an England friendly soccer match.

"We could quite easily come and lie on the beach, but we want to give something back. We are privileged, we have money to travel and it doesn't cost a lot to give others a night or a week to remember," said Lynda Atkins from Reading.

"It's not just about the football. It's also about seeing the country, tasting its food, getting to know its people and its culture."

While not denying that there was a small hooligan element, Atkins stressed that most England followers were just "very nice, normal people coming to watch a team we love".

Copson, looking forward to a successful tournament both on and off the pitch, was confident this could be England's year.

"But whether we get knocked out in the first round, get to the quarter-finals or win the trophy, hopefully we will go home knowing the Portuguese people will have good memories of the England team and fans," he said.