Even England's Aggressive Cricket's Collapse, the Barmy Army's Band of Ashes Veterans Is Unmoved.

Take heart, fan. England's squad could be heading into the upcoming Ashes Test now 2-0 down, but not all in English cricket is deterred. There is one collective perfectly suited for such a situation, a unwavering unit who are arguably the supreme experts in defeat. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the burden of unmet expectation? Then it's time, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Gather on an Formation Site

Even now, their early arrivals are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's iconic – and for their size noisiest – travelling fans will be dreaming of an triumphant anniversary upset, reminiscent of the one they witnessed on that mid-90s tour. Furthermore whatever happens on the pitch, off it the celebrations will be protracted and hearty.

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

Despite Bazball's nuclear implosion can't shake this group of seasoned campaigners. They've been enduring England's top-order failures since before the latest star took the field. They've seen more fielding errors than star players have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes touring group stands at: played 37, lost 27, won 6. The people who understand how to endure a clean sweep, they are the long-standing fans.

A Ever-Present Force In Coverage

Certainly, on television, the Barmy Army are seen to be all over this series. Australian cameras at the grounds sometimes appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners frequently use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Even the players on the field are heralding them, with a fan dressed as a monarch starting a rendition of a well-known tune.

From Travellers to Institution

One could argue that the Barmy Army's combination of history and visibility has now masked quite how remarkable their rise of tourist following has been. Thirty years in the past a small group backpackers were drawn together in comical mockery of their team at England's poor away record. Now their story is so intertwined with the England cricket that their colourful, "maverick" crowd is practically establishment itself. They've certainly come a great distance since the early days.

One veteran still remembers the eager expectation of the opening day of that 1994-95 tour. After the Australians on top, he initiated a small conga in the stands, winding up the home fans with a chant about convicts. "Home supporters hurled abuse at us, then threw rubbish – the treatment that we occasionally encounter today," he recalls. "However when we got back our modest following of England followers had all participated."

Earning Appreciation On the Field

Following a loss, England's tour faced further difficulties. Anyone travelling with the team around the country must have been slightly mad. When it came to the Melbourne and Sydney matches their numbers had swelled significantly. Those on the field, however, truly appreciated their noise at the grounds. When England secured a face-saving victory, a team captain invited a supporter up to the victory celebration to join in the revelry. That bond has endured.

An Changing Operation

But then, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as appealing to the English game as they are to international stadiums. For this series alone, their official tours will host a significant contingent of fans on tour. All kinds of celebrations are organised for the 30th anniversary.

This is, ultimately, an organisation born of fan enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit. The reason they date themselves to a particular match is because that was when they started offering souvenir shirts. The short initial run was so quickly sold out – and profitable – that it sparked a lasting enterprise. Since then, the co-founders have helped turn a fan community into an major travel company.

Modern Considerations

That creates its own challenges, especially at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's leadership are quick to note that a significant portion of their clientele are now women. As times have changed, the songs have had to get less offensive, too. "Comments that were common 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's absolutely right," says a spokesperson. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave in their own space, but we do not endorse songs that are insulting."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Will the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The demographic is now approaching middle age – like the pioneers, who have been pleased to step away from the daily operation. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a supporter – leaving a fresh team to manage the Barmy Army's digital presence. "You forget how challenging it used to be to organise with each other," he laughs. "It was all done all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to this Ashes series, the impossible dream of a 3-2 turnaround still lingers, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England are defeated in Adelaide … well, the next tour is always an option.