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

Steady, fan. Ben Stokes's squad could be heading into the next Ashes Test already 2-0 down, yet not everyone among supporters is fazed. There is one group perfectly suited for this scenario, a unwavering unit who are arguably the ultimate experts in defeat. Is optimism crushed? Are you crushed beneath the burden of crushing defeat? Then it's time, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Move In on an Anniversary City

As we speak, their early arrivals are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's iconic – and by headcount noisiest – tourist followers will be anticipating an triumphant anniversary upset, similar to the one they celebrated on that mid-90s tour. Furthermore no matter the outcome on the pitch, off it the parties will be protracted and hearty.

"The on-field action been very, very disappointing," he admits, "but we're the blessed group, because we're on holiday. It's probably harder for the people at home."

Despite a spectacular team failure doesn't trouble this crew of battle-tested followers. They've been observing England's innings meltdowns since earlier than many current players took the field. They've observed more fielding errors than star players have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent is: contested many, lost often, won seldom. If anyone understand how to weather a whitewash, that would be the founding members.

A Ubiquitous Force On Screen

Indeed, if you're watching, the Barmy Army are seen to be everywhere this series. Australian cameras at the grounds frequently appear more interested in the Barmies than in their own fans. TV partners often use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the athletes on the field give them a wave, as a fan dressed as a royal figure conducting a chorus of a patriotic song.

From Travellers to Pillar

It's possible that the Barmy Army's mix of endurance and ubiquity has now overshadowed quite how extraordinary their dominance of tourist following has been. Thirty years in the past a few followers were united in wry humour about failure at England's dismal away record. In the present day their reputation is so synonymous with the national team that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is practically an accepted institution. They've undoubtedly come a great distance since the initial chants.

One veteran still remembers the eager expectation of the opening day of that pioneering tour. With the opposition on top, he led a small conga in the stands, teasing the home fans with a chant about historical figures. "Local crowds jeered at us, then threw plastic cups – the stuff that we still get today," he remembers. "Yet when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Acclaim In the Dressing Room

After a loss, England's tour faced further difficulties. Anyone travelling with the team around the country surely was slightly mad. By the time the Melbourne and Sydney matches their numbers had increased to the hundreds. Those on the field, however, came to value their noise at the grounds. When England pulled off a notable triumph, a team captain invited a Barmy Army figure up to the team balcony to direct the festivities. That bond has endured.

An Evolving Operation

Furthermore, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as appealing to the sport as they are to overseas venues. At this Ashes alone, their organised trips will accommodate thousands of supporters. All kinds of celebrations are organised for the significant birthday.

This is, in the end, an entity born of love for the game and business acumen. The explanation they trace their origin to a specific Test is because that was when they started selling souvenir shirts. The limited early stock was so quickly sold out – and profitable – that it began a thriving business. Since then, the original members have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an respected tour operator.

Modern Considerations

That brings its own issues, particularly at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its lads-lads-lads 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 less offensive, too. "Things that were acceptable 30 years ago you cannot utter today, and that's as it should be," says a director. "We can't tell someone how to behave individually, but we do not endorse songs that are offensive."

{A Changing Demographics?

Could the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The average supporter age is now in middle age – mirroring the founders themselves, who have been pleased to distance themselves from the day-to-day running. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a punter – leaving a fresh team to run the Barmy Army's digital presence. "We forget how hard it used to be to coordinate with each other," he smiles. "It was all done all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for the current contest, the impossible dream of a series victory persists, which is very mid-90s indeed. And if England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas is always an option.