Even England's Aggressive Cricket's Collapse, the Loyal Fan Group's Group of Seasoned Tourists Is Unmoved.

Courage, fan. England's squad may be entering the next Ashes Test already 2-0 down, but some remain among supporters is disheartened. There is one collective perfectly suited for these circumstances, a dedicated unit who can lay claim to be the supreme experts in defeat. Is optimism crushed? Do you feel the weight beneath the weight of crushing defeat? Well then, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Converge on an Formation Site

As we speak, their early arrivals are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount most raucous – away supporters will be hoping for an celebratory against-all-odds victory, similar to the one they celebrated on that historic tour. Furthermore no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the celebrations will be protracted and hearty.

"England's performance been incredibly disappointing," he admits, "but we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Even Bazball's nuclear implosion fails to deter this group of hardened veterans. They've been enduring England's top-order failures since prior to a new generation started playing. They've witnessed more spilled chances than key pacemen have international dismissals. Their personal stats as an Ashes touring group is: played 37, lost 27, won 6. Those who comprehend how to weather a whitewash, it's the original supporters.

A Highly Visible Presence At the Ground

Without a doubt, on television, the Barmy Army are seen to be ubiquitous in this contest. Australian cameras at the grounds often 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. Remarkably the athletes on the field are heralding them, with someone clad as a monarch conducting a singing of a patriotic song.

From Backpackers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of endurance and ubiquity has now overshadowed quite how extraordinary their rise of tourist following has been. Thirty years in the past a small group backpackers were drawn together in good-natured mockery of their team at England's woeful away record. In the present day their reputation is so linked with the men's Test side that their colourful, "unique" crowd is all but an accepted institution. They've certainly come a great distance since the early days.

One founding member still remembers the buoyant hope of the opening day of that pioneering tour. After the opposition building a solid score, he initiated a small conga in the stands, winding up the home fans with a song about the past. "The Aussie fans shouted insults at us, then threw rubbish – the treatment that we still get today," he recalls. "But when we got back our modest following of England followers had all participated."

Earning Appreciation In the Dressing Room

Following a loss, England's tour faced further difficulties. Those following the team around the country was considered truly dedicated. When it came to the Melbourne and Sydney matches their ranks had swelled substantially. The squad, however, truly appreciated their noise at the grounds. When England secured a face-saving victory, a team captain beckoned a Barmy Army figure up to the team balcony to direct the celebrations. Such camaraderie persists.

An Evolving Business

Additionally, the large crowds the Barmy Army can muster are as appealing to the sport as they are to host grounds. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will accommodate a significant contingent of paying travellers. A variety of activities are scheduled for the 30th anniversary.

This is, after all, an entity born of love for the game and business acumen. The logic they trace their origin to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started selling merchandise. The first small batch was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it launched a commercial operation. Since then, the co-founders have helped turn a group of mates into an major tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own issues, especially at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's leadership are eager to highlight that a growing percentage of their supporters on tour are now women. As times have changed, the songs have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Things that were acceptable 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's as it should be," says a representative. "We can't tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we won't support songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Will the Barmy Army become more sedate? The demographic is now approaching the late 40s – like the original members, who have been pleased to step away from the day-to-day running. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a supporter – leaving young professionals to run the Barmy Army's online channels. "It's easy to overlook how challenging it used to be to communicate with each other," he chuckles. "We used to do it all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for this Ashes series, the faint hope of a series victory persists, which is typical of their spirit indeed. Should England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas awaits.