Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Implosion, this Barmy Army's Group of Seasoned Tourists Is Unmoved.

Courage, soldier. England's team might be entering the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not everyone within the England setup is disheartened. There is one group tailor-made for this scenario, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the ultimate experts in defeat. Are hopes dashed? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of unmet expectation? Well then, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Gather on an Historic Location

As we speak, their early arrivals are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's best-known – and per capita most raucous – travelling fans will be dreaming of an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they witnessed on that mid-90s tour. Furthermore no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the parties will be long and loud.

"The cricket's been extremely disappointing," one founder concedes, "yet we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Despite a spectacular team failure can't shake this group of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's top-order failures since before many current players were born. They've observed more fielding errors than star players have Test wickets. Their collective record as an Ashes supporters' club stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who comprehend how to weather a series sweep, they are the founding members.

A Ever-Present Sight In Coverage

Without a doubt, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army do seem to be everywhere this series. Host broadcasters at the grounds sometimes appear keener to feature the Barmies than on their own fans. Broadcasters often use them as entertainment-focused prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the athletes on the field acknowledge them, with a supporter portraying a king starting a chorus of a national hymn.

From Travellers to Institution

One could argue that the Barmy Army's dual effect of endurance and ubiquity has now obscured quite how remarkable their rise of away support has been. In the early 1990s a few travelling fans were united in good-natured mockery of their team at England's dismal away record. Today their story is so synonymous with the national team that their vibrant, "maverick" crowd is virtually establishment itself. They've certainly come a far since the initial chants.

One original recalls the eager expectation of the series start of that formative tour. With the hosts building a solid score, he led a six-person conga in the stands, provoking the Australian supporters with a chant about historical figures. "Home supporters hurled abuse at us, then threw rubbish – the stuff that we still get today," he recalls. "But when we got back our little group of England followers had all taken part."

Earning Respect From Players

After an early setback, England's tour continued to struggle. Those following the team around the country surely was slightly mad. As the tour reached the Melbourne and Sydney matches their numbers had swelled significantly. The players, however, came to value their support at the grounds. When England pulled off a face-saving victory, a star beckoned a fan leader up to the team balcony to lead the revelry. This connection remains.

An Maturing Institution

Additionally, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as appealing to the cricket authorities as they are to host grounds. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will bring a significant contingent of supporters. Numerous celebrations are scheduled for the three-decade milestone.

This is, in the end, an organisation born of love for the game and commercial nous. The logic they mark their founding to a particular match is because that was when they started offering merchandise. The short initial run was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it launched a thriving business. Since then, the driving forces have helped turn a group of mates into an major sports tourism business.

Modern Considerations

That creates its own challenges, especially at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's directors are eager to highlight that a growing percentage of their travelling fans are now female. As norms evolve, 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 absolutely right," says a director. "We can't tell someone how to behave individually, but we won't support songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Will the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The average supporter age is now nearing middle age – like the pioneers, who have been content to distance themselves from the management. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a fan – leaving newer staff to populate the Barmy Army's digital presence. "It's easy to overlook how difficult it used to be to coordinate with each other," he laughs. "It was all done all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to England's plight, the faint hope of a 3-2 turnaround still lingers, which is very mid-90s indeed. In the event England succumb in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas awaits.