Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Collapse, the Barmy Army's Group of Ashes Veterans Remains Unshaken.

Steady, trooper. England's side may be entering the third Ashes Test already 2-0 down, yet not all in English cricket is disheartened. There is one group ideally equipped for this scenario, a crack(pot) unit who consider themselves the quintessential masters of adversity. Have your dreams been shattered? Do you feel the weight beneath the burden of failed hopes? In that case, join the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Move In on an Anniversary City

Already, their advance guard are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's iconic – and for their size most raucous – away supporters will be dreaming of an triumphant anniversary upset, like the one they celebrated on that historic tour. Furthermore no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the parties will be protracted and hearty.

"The cricket's been extremely disappointing," one founder concedes, "however we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even a dramatic batting collapse can't shake this group of seasoned campaigners. They've been enduring England's innings meltdowns since earlier than many current players were born. They've observed more dropped catches than star players have Test wickets. Their personal stats as an Ashes touring group stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who understand how to survive a series sweep, they are the founding members.

A Highly Visible Presence In Coverage

Certainly, if you're watching, the Barmy Army are seen to be everywhere this series. TV directors at the grounds often appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. Sports networks often use them as entertainment-focused prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the cricketers on the field are heralding them, with a supporter portraying a king leading a rendition of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of endurance and ubiquity has now masked quite how extraordinary their rise of travelling fandom has been. In the early 1990s a handful backpackers were brought together in wry self-deprecation at England's poor away record. Now their legacy is so intertwined with the men's Test side that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is all but establishment itself. They've certainly come a great distance since the humble beginnings.

One veteran still remembers the eager expectation of the first Test of that pioneering tour. After the hosts making a strong start, he started a small conga in the stands, winding up the Australian supporters with a tune about the past. "Local crowds jeered at us, then threw plastic cups – the stuff that we occasionally encounter today," he says. "However when we got back our modest following of England followers had all taken part."

Earning Respect In the Dressing Room

Following a loss, England's tour continued to struggle. Any supporter travelling with the team around the country was considered slightly mad. As the tour reached the Melbourne and Sydney matches their crowd had increased to the hundreds. Those on the field, however, truly appreciated their noise at the grounds. When England pulled off a face-saving victory, a star beckoned a Barmy Army figure up to the victory celebration to join in the revelry. That bond persists.

An Maturing Institution

Additionally, the large crowds the Barmy Army can conjure are as appealing to the English game as they are to international stadiums. On this tour alone, their official tours will bring thousands of supporters. All kinds of celebrations are organised for the 30th anniversary.

This is, in the end, an entity born of love for the game and business acumen. The reason they trace their origin to a specific Test is because that was when they started offering souvenir shirts. The limited early stock was so quickly sold out – and financially rewarding – that it launched a thriving business. Over the years, the driving forces have helped turn a fan community into an major travel company.

Modern Evolution

That carries its own challenges, particularly at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its rowdy image. The Barmy Army's directors are keen to point out that a growing percentage of their travelling fans are now women. With societal shifts, the chants have had to get less offensive, too. "Things that were acceptable 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's correct," says a director. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave individually, but we do not endorse songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Will the Barmy Army mellow naturally? The average supporter age is now approaching their fifth decade – like the original members, who have been pleased to withdraw from the management. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a supporter – leaving newer staff to run the Barmy Army's digital presence. "It's easy to overlook how difficult it used to be to organise with each other," he smiles. "Our method was all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to this Ashes series, the impossible dream of a series victory remains alive, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. Should England do lose in Adelaide … well, future travels looks nice.