Even Bazball's Implosion, this Barmy Army's Band of Ashes Veterans Is Unmoved.

Steady, trooper. England's squad may be approaching the upcoming Ashes Test now 2-0 down, but some remain in English cricket is fazed. There is one unit perfectly suited for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who can lay claim to be the quintessential experts in defeat. Is optimism crushed? Is the disappointment beneath the weight of unmet expectation? Well then, join the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Gather on an Historic Location

Already, their advance guard are gathering in Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount most raucous – travelling fans will be dreaming of an triumphant anniversary upset, like the one they saw on that historic tour. And no matter the outcome on the pitch, off it the parties will be extensive and boisterous.

"The cricket's been incredibly disappointing," he admits, "however we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even a spectacular team failure doesn't trouble this crew of battle-tested followers. They've been enduring England's batting collapse since prior to a new generation took the field. They've seen more dropped catches than star players have Test wickets. Their collective record as an Ashes touring group is: contested many, lost often, won seldom. Those who understand how to endure a series sweep, it's the founding members.

A Ubiquitous Force In Coverage

Certainly, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army appear to be ubiquitous this series. TV directors at the grounds sometimes appear keener to feature the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as atmosphere-building buildup to a day's play. Even the players on the field acknowledge them, as a supporter portraying a king conducting a rendition of a patriotic song.

From Fans to Pillar

One could argue that the Barmy Army's combination of history and visibility has now obscured quite how remarkable their takeover of travelling fandom has been. In the early 1990s a handful travelling fans were drawn together in wry humour about failure at England's dismal away record. In the present day their reputation is so linked with the men's Test side that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is all but an accepted institution. They've definitely come a long way since the humble beginnings.

One veteran still remembers the eager expectation of the opening day of that formative tour. With the Australians building a solid score, he initiated a small conga in the stands, provoking the Australian supporters with a tune about historical figures. "The Aussie fans hurled abuse at us, then threw rubbish – the kind of thing that we sometimes receive today," he remembers. "However when we got back our modest following of England followers had all participated."

Earning Acclaim On the Field

After a loss, England's tour suffered more defeats. Any supporter backing the team around the country surely was truly dedicated. When it came to the later Tests their numbers had swelled to the hundreds. The squad, however, genuinely enjoyed their noise at the grounds. When England pulled off a consolation win, a senior player invited a Barmy Army figure up to the victory celebration to join in the festivities. That bond persists.

An Maturing Operation

Additionally, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as valuable to the sport as they are to overseas venues. At this Ashes alone, their organised trips will accommodate a significant contingent of fans on tour. Numerous activities are organised for the significant birthday.

This is, ultimately, an entity born of fan enthusiasm and commercial nous. The logic they trace their origin to a particular match is because that was when they started producing branded clothing. The short initial run was so immediately successful – and financially rewarding – that it sparked a thriving business. Since then, the original members have helped turn a group of mates into an respected travel company.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own challenges, notably 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 sizable minority of their travelling fans are now female. With societal shifts, the songs have had to get cleaner, too. "Things that you'd say 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's correct," says a representative. "We can't tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we will not promote songs that are insulting."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Will the Barmy Army become more sedate? The mean age of fans is now nearing middle age – mirroring the pioneers, who have been happy to distance themselves from the management. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a punter – leaving a fresh team to manage the Barmy Army's digital presence. "We forget how difficult it used to be to communicate with each other," he laughs. "We used to do it all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to England's plight, the impossible dream of a series victory remains alive, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England are defeated in Adelaide … well, future travels looks nice.