Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Implosion, the Loyal Fan Group's Crew of Seasoned Tourists Remains Unshaken.

Take heart, soldier. England's team could be approaching the third Ashes Test already 2-0 down, but not everyone in English cricket is fazed. There is one group perfectly suited for this scenario, a crack(pot) unit who are arguably the ultimate experts in defeat. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of failed hopes? In that case, rally to the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Move In on an Anniversary City

As we speak, their early arrivals are gathering in Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's best-known – and by headcount most raucous – tourist followers will be hoping for an anniversary win-against-the-odds, like the one they saw on that 1994-95 tour. But regardless of the result on the pitch, in the stands and bars the parties will be protracted and hearty.

"England's performance been very, very disappointing," one founder concedes, "but we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Despite Bazball's nuclear implosion doesn't trouble this band of hardened veterans. They've been observing England's top-order failures since before the latest star took the field. They've observed more fielding errors than key pacemen have career scalps. Their personal stats as an Ashes touring group stands at: a long history with more defeats than victories. If anyone understand how to survive a series sweep, it's the founding members.

A Highly Visible Presence At the Ground

Certainly, if you're watching, the Barmy Army do seem to be ubiquitous during this Ashes. Australian cameras at the grounds sometimes appear more interested in the Barmies than in their own fans. Broadcasters often use them as atmosphere-building prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the athletes on the field are heralding them, with a supporter portraying a monarch starting a singing of a national hymn.

From Fans to Pillar

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's mix of longevity and ubiquity has now masked quite how stunning their dominance of away support has been. In the early 1990s a handful backpackers were drawn together in comical mockery of their team at England's poor away record. Today their legacy is so intertwined with the men's Test side that their colourful, "maverick" crowd is all but establishment itself. They've definitely come a far since the initial chants.

One founding member can picture the eager expectation of the series start of that pioneering tour. With the hosts on top, he started a modest conga in the stands, teasing the Australian supporters with a tune about the past. "Home supporters shouted insults at us, then threw drink containers – the treatment that we still get today," he says. "However when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Acclaim On the Field

After a loss, England's tour continued to struggle. Any supporter following the team around the country was considered barmy indeed. By the time the later Tests their crowd had grown to the hundreds. The squad, however, truly appreciated their support at the grounds. When England managed a notable triumph, a star beckoned a supporter up to the team balcony to direct the festivities. This connection remains.

An Maturing Institution

Furthermore, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as attractive to the English game as they are to overseas venues. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will host thousands of supporters. Numerous activities are planned for the three-decade milestone.

This is, in the end, an entity born of cricketing passion and entrepreneurial spirit. The logic they mark their founding to a particular match is because that was when they started producing merchandise. The short initial run was so instantly popular – and financially rewarding – that it began a commercial operation. Since then, the original members have helped turn a fan community into an major tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That brings its own challenges, particularly at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its rowdy image. The Barmy Army's leadership are eager to highlight that a growing percentage of their supporters on tour are now female. As times have changed, the songs have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Language that were acceptable 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's absolutely right," says a director. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we won't support songs that are offensive."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Could the Barmy Army become more sedate? The average supporter age is now in the late 40s – similar to the founders themselves, who have been happy to withdraw from the management. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a punter – leaving newer staff to populate the Barmy Army's online channels. "We forget how challenging it used to be to organise with each other," he smiles. "It was all done all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Regarding this Ashes series, the unlikely scenario of a 3-2 turnaround still lingers, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas is always an option.