Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Downfall, the Loyal Fan Group's Crew of Seasoned Tourists Stands Firm.

Take heart, trooper. England's team might be heading into the next Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not everyone in English cricket is disheartened. Exists one group ideally equipped for these circumstances, a crack(pot) unit who consider themselves the supreme doomsday preppers. Have your dreams been shattered? Do you feel the weight beneath the pressure of unmet expectation? Well then, join the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Move In on an Historic Location

As we speak, their early arrivals are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's iconic – and per capita most vocal – travelling fans will be anticipating an triumphant anniversary upset, like the one they witnessed on that historic tour. And no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the celebrations will be protracted and hearty.

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

Even a spectacular team failure doesn't trouble this crew of battle-tested followers. They've been observing England's innings meltdowns since before the latest star took the field. They've witnessed more spilled chances than some bowlers have Test wickets. Their collective record as an Ashes away contingent reads: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who understand how to weather a whitewash, it's the long-standing fans.

A Ever-Present Presence At the Ground

Indeed, if you're watching, the Barmy Army are seen to be everywhere in this contest. Host broadcasters at the grounds frequently appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as banter-primed buildup to a day's play. Even the players on the field are heralding them, as someone clad as a king leading a rendition of a patriotic song.

From Fans to Establishment

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's mix of endurance and visibility has now masked quite how remarkable their dominance of tourist following has been. In the early 1990s a small group followers were drawn together in wry self-deprecation at England's woeful away record. Today their legacy is so synonymous with the national team that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is practically an accepted institution. They've undoubtedly come a long way since the early days.

One veteran recalls the excited anticipation of the opening day of that pioneering tour. After the opposition on top, he initiated a small conga in the stands, winding up the Australian supporters with a chant about the past. "The Aussie fans shouted insults at us, then threw drink containers – the treatment that we occasionally encounter today," he says. "Yet when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect From Players

Following defeat, England's tour suffered more defeats. Any supporter travelling with the team around the country was considered barmy indeed. As the tour reached the bigger venues their numbers had grown substantially. The squad, however, came to value their support at the grounds. When England pulled off a consolation win, a team captain invited a supporter up to the victory celebration to direct the festivities. That bond remains.

An Maturing Institution

Furthermore, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as valuable to the English game as they are to overseas venues. For this series alone, their travel packages will bring a large number of paying travellers. Numerous celebrations are scheduled for the significant birthday.

This is, ultimately, an group born of love for the game and business acumen. The explanation they trace their origin to a particular match is because that was when they started producing branded clothing. The short initial run was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it launched a commercial operation. Since then, the driving forces have helped turn a fan community into an respected sports tourism business.

Modern Evolution

That brings its own challenges, particularly at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's directors are eager to highlight that a sizable minority of their clientele are now female. With societal shifts, the chants have had to get cleaner, too. "Language that you'd say 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's correct," says a spokesperson. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we won't support songs that are offensive."

{A Quieter Future?

Could the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The mean age of fans is now nearing middle age – like the pioneers, who have been pleased to withdraw from the daily operation. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a fan – leaving young professionals to run the Barmy Army's digital presence. "We forget how difficult it used to be to coordinate with each other," he chuckles. "It was all done all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Regarding this Ashes series, the unlikely scenario of a 3-2 turnaround remains alive, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England are defeated in Adelaide … well, future travels awaits.