Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Downfall, the Loyal Fan Group's Group of Ashes Veterans Remains Unshaken.

Steady, fan. England's squad might be entering the next Ashes Test now 2-0 down, yet some remain in English cricket is disheartened. There is one unit perfectly suited for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the ultimate masters of adversity. Are hopes dashed? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of crushing defeat? In that case, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Anniversary City

Even now, their first wave are gathering in Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount noisiest – tourist followers will be anticipating an celebratory against-all-odds victory, similar to the one they celebrated on that historic tour. But whatever happens on the pitch, in the stands and bars the parties will be protracted and hearty.

"England's performance been very, very disappointing," he admits, "yet we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's probably harder for the people at home."

Despite a spectacular team failure fails to deter this group of hardened veterans. They've been enduring England's innings meltdowns since before a new generation took the field. They've witnessed more fielding errors than star players have international dismissals. Their touring history as an Ashes supporters' club reads: contested many, lost often, won seldom. If anyone knows how to survive a whitewash, it's the original supporters.

A Highly Visible Presence On Screen

Without a doubt, if you're watching, the Barmy Army are seen to be all over during this Ashes. Host broadcasters at the grounds sometimes appear more focused on the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners frequently use them as atmosphere-building lead-in to a day's play. Remarkably the players on the field are heralding them, with a supporter portraying a king starting a singing of a national hymn.

From Travellers to Institution

It's possible that the Barmy Army's dual effect of endurance and ubiquity has now overshadowed quite how extraordinary their rise of tourist following has been. Three decades ago a few followers were drawn together in comical humour about failure at England's woeful away record. In the present day their reputation is so intertwined with the England cricket that their colourful, "unique" crowd is all but part of the furniture. They've certainly come a long way since the humble beginnings.

One veteran recalls the eager expectation of the series start of that pioneering tour. With the Australians making a strong start, he led a small conga in the stands, provoking the locals with a chant about the past. "Home supporters jeered at us, then threw drink containers – the treatment that we still get today," he remembers. "However when we got back our small band of England followers had all joined in."

Earning Respect In the Dressing Room

After defeat, England's tour continued to struggle. Any supporter backing the team around the country surely was slightly mad. By the time the bigger venues their numbers had swelled significantly. The squad, however, came to value their noise at the grounds. When England secured a notable triumph, a senior player summoned a supporter up to the players' area to lead the celebrations. That bond remains.

An Changing Business

Furthermore, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can attract are as appealing to the cricket authorities as they are to host grounds. At this Ashes alone, their travel packages will host a large number of fans on tour. All kinds of activities are organised for the 30th anniversary.

This is, ultimately, an entity born of cricketing passion and commercial nous. The reason they trace their origin to a specific Test is because that was when they started selling branded clothing. The limited early stock was so instantly popular – and financially rewarding – that it sparked a commercial operation. Over the years, the original members have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an respected tour operator.

Modern Challenges

That creates its own issues, particularly at a time when sport is attempting to move beyond some of its boisterous image. The Barmy Army's management are keen to point out that a significant portion of their supporters on tour are now women. As norms evolve, the chants have had to get cleaner, too. "Comments that you'd say 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's correct," says a spokesperson. "We can't tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we will not promote songs that are offensive."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Could the Barmy Army become more sedate? The mean age of fans is now in middle age – similar to the original members, who have been pleased to withdraw from the day-to-day running. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a fan – leaving a fresh team to populate the Barmy Army's digital presence. "It's easy to overlook how difficult it used to be to communicate with each other," he chuckles. "It was all done all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for this Ashes series, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback remains alive, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. In the event England succumb in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.