Despite England's Aggressive Cricket's Implosion, this Barmy Army's Group of Ashes Veterans Stands Firm.

Take heart, trooper. England's team may be heading into the third Ashes Test now 2-0 down, but not all within the England setup is fazed. Exists one unit tailor-made for these circumstances, a crack(pot) unit who consider themselves the supreme doomsday preppers. Have your dreams been shattered? Are you crushed beneath the pressure of unmet expectation? In that case, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Historic Location

Already, their advance guard are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's iconic – and by headcount most vocal – travelling fans will be hoping for an celebratory against-all-odds victory, similar to the one they celebrated on that 1994-95 tour. Furthermore no matter the outcome on the pitch, in the stands and bars the celebrations will be protracted and hearty.

"The on-field action been very, very disappointing," a veteran states, "but we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's perhaps harder for the people at home."

Even a dramatic batting collapse can't shake this group of battle-tested followers. They've been enduring England's innings meltdowns since prior to a new generation started playing. They've seen more dropped catches than some bowlers have career scalps. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent stands at: a long history with more defeats than victories. If anyone knows how to weather a clean sweep, it's the original supporters.

A Ever-Present Sight At the Ground

Without a doubt, on television, the Barmy Army appear to be ubiquitous this series. TV directors at the grounds often appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners frequently use them as banter-primed buildup to a day's play. Remarkably the cricketers on the field acknowledge them, with a supporter portraying a royal figure conducting a chorus of a well-known tune.

From Travellers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of endurance and ubiquity has now obscured quite how stunning their rise of travelling fandom has been. Three decades ago a handful followers were united in comical humour about failure at England's woeful away record. Now their legacy is so synonymous with the England cricket that their boisterous, "maverick" crowd is virtually part of the furniture. They've definitely come a great distance since the humble beginnings.

One veteran still remembers the buoyant hope of the first Test of that 1994-95 tour. With the opposition making a strong start, he initiated a six-person conga in the stands, winding up the locals with a chant about historical figures. "Local crowds shouted insults at us, then threw rubbish – the kind of thing that we sometimes receive today," he recalls. "Yet when we got back our small band of England followers had all participated."

Earning Appreciation On the Field

After an early setback, England's tour continued to struggle. Any supporter backing the team around the country surely was barmy indeed. When it came to the later Tests their ranks had swelled substantially. The players, however, truly appreciated their presence at the grounds. When England pulled off a consolation win, a team captain invited a supporter up to the players' area to direct the revelry. Such camaraderie persists.

An Evolving Business

Additionally, the large crowds the Barmy Army can attract are as attractive to the sport as they are to overseas venues. For this series alone, their organised trips will host a significant contingent of supporters. A variety of events are organised for the three-decade milestone.

This is, after all, an organisation born of love for the game and commercial nous. The reason they trace their origin to a particular match is because that was when they started offering merchandise. The first small batch was so instantly popular – and lucrative – that it began a thriving business. Since then, the original members have helped turn a fan community into an respected tour operator.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own challenges, especially at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its rowdy image. The Barmy Army's directors are eager to highlight that a significant portion of their travelling fans are now women. As norms evolve, the songs have had to get less offensive, too. "Language that you'd say 30 years ago you must avoid now, and that's as it should be," 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 derogatory."

{A Changing Demographics?

Will the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The mean age of fans is now approaching their fifth decade – similar to the founders themselves, who have been happy to step away from the management. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a supporter – leaving newer staff to manage the Barmy Army's online channels. "We forget how challenging it used to be to communicate with each other," he chuckles. "We used to do it all by shouting – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

As for England's plight, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback persists, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. Should England are defeated in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas awaits.