Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Downfall, the Loyal Fan Group's Band of Ashes Veterans Is Unmoved.

Courage, trooper. England's squad could be entering the next Ashes Test now 2-0 down, yet not everyone among supporters is disheartened. Exists one unit tailor-made for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the ultimate masters of adversity. Is optimism crushed? Is the disappointment beneath the burden of unmet expectation? In that case, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Gather on an Historic Location

Already, their first wave are gathering in Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's best-known – and by headcount noisiest – away supporters will be dreaming of an triumphant anniversary upset, like the one they saw on that mid-90s tour. And whatever happens on the pitch, off it the celebrations will be long and loud.

"The on-field action been extremely disappointing," a veteran states, "but we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Even Bazball's nuclear implosion fails to deter this band of battle-tested followers. They've been watching England's innings meltdowns since prior to a new generation were born. They've witnessed more spilled chances than star players have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes supporters' club is: played 37, lost 27, won 6. Those who understand how to survive a clean sweep, they are the founding members.

A Ever-Present Force At the Ground

Certainly, if you're watching, the Barmy Army appear to be ubiquitous this series. TV directors at the grounds sometimes appear keener to feature the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as banter-primed lead-in to a day's play. Remarkably the players on the field acknowledge them, as someone clad as a royal figure leading a chorus of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Establishment

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of longevity and visibility has now obscured quite how extraordinary their takeover of travelling fandom has been. Thirty years in the past a handful travelling fans were brought together in wry humour about failure at England's poor away record. Now their reputation is so synonymous with the men's Test side that their vibrant, "maverick" crowd is all but an accepted institution. They've undoubtedly come a great distance since the initial chants.

One original can picture the eager expectation of the opening day of that 1994-95 tour. With the opposition on top, he led a small conga in the stands, teasing the home fans with a song about historical figures. "Local crowds shouted insults at us, then threw plastic cups – the kind of thing that we sometimes receive today," he says. "But when we got back our modest following of England followers had all joined in."

Earning Respect From Players

After defeat, England's tour faced further difficulties. Those following the team around the country was considered truly dedicated. By the time the Melbourne and Sydney matches their crowd had grown to the hundreds. The squad, however, came to value their noise at the grounds. When England managed a consolation win, a star summoned a Barmy Army figure up to the victory celebration to lead the revelry. That bond persists.

An Maturing Institution

Furthermore, the large crowds the Barmy Army can conjure are as valuable to the cricket authorities as they are to overseas venues. For this series alone, their organised trips will accommodate a significant contingent of fans on tour. All kinds of events are planned for the significant birthday.

This is, in the end, an entity born of cricketing passion and entrepreneurial spirit. The reason they trace their origin to a specific Test is because that was when they started producing souvenir shirts. The short initial run was so immediately successful – and financially rewarding – that it launched a commercial operation. Since then, the co-founders have helped turn a group of mates into an major sports tourism business.

Modern Evolution

That brings its own issues, especially at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its boisterous image. The Barmy Army's leadership are keen to point out that a growing percentage of their travelling fans are now women. With societal shifts, the chants have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Things that you'd say 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's as it should be," says a director. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave individually, but we won't support songs that are offensive."

{A Quieter Future?

Could the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The demographic is now approaching the late 40s – mirroring the original members, who have been happy to withdraw from the daily operation. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a supporter – leaving a fresh team to populate the Barmy Army's online channels. "It's easy to overlook how challenging it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "We used to do it all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Regarding England's plight, the faint hope of a historic comeback still lingers, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. Should England succumb in Adelaide … well, the next tour looks nice.