Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Implosion, the Barmy Army's Band of Seasoned Tourists Remains Unshaken.

Courage, fan. England's side may be entering the next Ashes Test already 2-0 down, however some remain within the England setup is deterred. Exists one collective tailor-made for such a situation, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the ultimate masters of adversity. Are hopes dashed? Is the disappointment beneath the pressure of unmet expectation? Then it's time, rally to the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Move In on an Formation Site

As we speak, their first wave are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's best-known – and per capita most vocal – tourist followers will be hoping for an anniversary win-against-the-odds, similar to the one they celebrated on that historic tour. And regardless of the result on the pitch, in the stands and bars the parties will be long and loud.

"The on-field action been extremely disappointing," he admits, "yet we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's probably harder for the people at home."

Despite a dramatic batting collapse fails to deter this band of battle-tested followers. They've been watching England's top-order failures since before many current players started playing. They've witnessed more dropped catches than key pacemen have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes touring group is: played 37, lost 27, won 6. Those who comprehend how to endure a series sweep, it's the long-standing fans.

A Ever-Present Presence At the Ground

Indeed, on television, the Barmy Army are seen to be all over during this Ashes. Australian cameras at the grounds sometimes appear more focused on the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners frequently use them as entertainment-focused prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the players on the field give them a wave, as someone clad as a king conducting a chorus of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of longevity and omnipresence has now overshadowed quite how remarkable their dominance of travelling fandom has been. Thirty years in the past a handful travelling fans were drawn together in good-natured mockery of their team at England's woeful away record. Today their reputation is so linked with the men's Test side that their vibrant, "maverick" crowd is practically establishment itself. They've definitely come a great distance since the initial chants.

One founding member still remembers the eager expectation of the first Test of that formative tour. After the hosts making a strong start, he led a six-person conga in the stands, teasing the Australian supporters with a song about historical figures. "Local crowds hurled abuse at us, then threw rubbish – the stuff that we still get today," he says. "Yet when we got back our little group of England followers had all joined in."

Earning Respect In the Dressing Room

After a loss, England's tour continued to struggle. Any supporter following the team around the country surely was slightly mad. By the time the later Tests their numbers had swelled substantially. The players, however, truly appreciated their support at the grounds. When England managed a face-saving victory, a star summoned a fan leader up to the players' area to join in the festivities. Such camaraderie has endured.

An Maturing Operation

Additionally, the significant volume the Barmy Army can muster are as valuable to the cricket authorities as they are to international stadiums. On this tour alone, their travel packages will accommodate a significant contingent of supporters. All kinds of events are scheduled for the three-decade milestone.

This is, in the end, an entity born of fan enthusiasm and business acumen. The reason they date themselves to a particular match is because that was when they started selling souvenir shirts. The limited early stock was so immediately successful – and profitable – that it began a commercial operation. Since then, the driving forces have helped turn a group of mates into an respected travel company.

Modern Challenges

That brings its own complexities, particularly at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's directors are keen to point out that a sizable minority of their supporters on tour are now women. As times have changed, the chants have had to get less offensive, too. "Comments that you'd say 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's absolutely right," says a representative. "We can't tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we won't support songs that are insulting."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Might the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The mean age of fans is now in their fifth decade – mirroring the founders themselves, who have been happy to step away from the daily operation. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a punter – leaving a fresh team to run the Barmy Army's online channels. "It's easy to overlook how challenging it used to be to organise with each other," he chuckles. "It was all done all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for the current contest, the faint hope of a 3-2 turnaround remains alive, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. And if England succumb in Adelaide … well, future travels is always an option.