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

Take heart, soldier. England's squad may be approaching the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not all within the England setup is deterred. Exists one group tailor-made for such a situation, a dedicated unit who can lay claim to be the ultimate experts in defeat. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the weight of crushing defeat? In that case, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Anniversary City

As we speak, their advance guard are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount most raucous – travelling fans will be hoping for an anniversary win-against-the-odds, reminiscent of the one they celebrated on that historic tour. And whatever happens on the pitch, off it the revelries will be protracted and hearty.

"The cricket's been incredibly disappointing," a veteran states, "however we're the blessed group, because we're on holiday. It's probably harder for the people at home."

Even a spectacular team failure can't shake this group of battle-tested followers. They've been enduring England's innings meltdowns since before many current players took the field. They've witnessed more fielding errors than some bowlers have Test wickets. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent reads: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who knows how to weather a clean sweep, that would be the long-standing fans.

A Ubiquitous Presence At the Ground

Certainly, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army do seem to be everywhere in this contest. TV directors at the grounds often appear more interested in the Barmies than in their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as atmosphere-building lead-in to a day's play. Remarkably the cricketers on the field give them a wave, with someone clad as a monarch starting a rendition of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Establishment

It's possible that the Barmy Army's combination of history and ubiquity has now obscured quite how stunning their takeover of travelling fandom has been. In the early 1990s a few backpackers were drawn together in good-natured mockery of their team at England's poor away record. Now their reputation is so synonymous with the national team that their vibrant, "maverick" crowd is virtually part of the furniture. They've undoubtedly come a long way since the humble beginnings.

One founding member recalls the excited anticipation of the first Test of that formative tour. After the hosts making a strong start, he led a small conga in the stands, provoking the Australian supporters with a chant about convicts. "Home supporters hurled abuse at us, then threw rubbish – the treatment that we still get today," he recalls. "Yet when we got back our small band of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect From Players

After defeat, England's tour suffered more defeats. Those travelling with the team around the country must have been barmy indeed. As the tour reached the later Tests their ranks had increased significantly. The players, however, came to value their support at the grounds. When England managed a notable triumph, a star summoned a fan leader up to the team balcony to join in the revelry. That bond remains.

An Changing Institution

But then, the large crowds the Barmy Army can attract are as valuable to the sport as they are to international stadiums. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will bring thousands of supporters. All kinds of activities are scheduled for the 30th anniversary.

This is, after all, an organisation born of love for the game and commercial nous. The reason they date themselves to a specific Test is because that was when they started selling merchandise. The short initial run was so immediately successful – and lucrative – that it launched a thriving business. Over the years, the co-founders have helped turn a pub-based supporters into an major travel company.

Modern Challenges

That brings its own challenges, especially at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its boisterous image. The Barmy Army's leadership are keen to point out that a significant portion of their clientele are now women. As norms evolve, the songs have had to get less offensive, too. "Language that were acceptable 30 years ago you cannot utter today, and that's absolutely right," says a representative. "We can't tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we won't support songs that are derogatory."

{A Quieter Future?

Could the Barmy Army become more sedate? The average supporter age is now approaching middle age – like the founders themselves, who have been content to step away from the day-to-day running. One founder is enjoying this tour purely as a punter – leaving young professionals to manage the Barmy Army's digital presence. "You forget how hard it used to be to coordinate with each other," he smiles. "It was all done all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to the current contest, the impossible dream of a 3-2 turnaround still lingers, which is very mid-90s indeed. Should England succumb in Adelaide … well, the next tour awaits.