Even England's Aggressive Cricket's Collapse, the Loyal Fan Group's Band of Ashes Veterans Stands Firm.

Take heart, fan. Ben Stokes's team could be entering the upcoming Ashes Test now 2-0 down, yet not all among supporters is fazed. There is one unit tailor-made for such a situation, a crack(pot) unit who are arguably the ultimate masters of adversity. Are hopes dashed? Is the disappointment beneath the burden of failed hopes? Then it's time, join the Barmy Army.

Early Arrivals Gather on an Historic Location

Already, their advance guard are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's best-known – and for their size most raucous – travelling fans will be anticipating an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they celebrated on that mid-90s tour. Furthermore no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the revelries will be protracted and hearty.

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

Even a spectacular team failure can't shake this band of seasoned campaigners. They've been watching England's innings meltdowns since earlier than many current players were born. They've seen more spilled chances than star players have career scalps. Their personal stats as an Ashes away contingent stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who understand how to survive a clean sweep, it's the original supporters.

A Highly Visible Force At the Ground

Indeed, on television, the Barmy Army appear to be all over during this Ashes. Host broadcasters at the grounds sometimes appear keener to feature the Barmies than on their own fans. TV partners regularly use them as entertainment-focused lead-in to a day's play. Remarkably the athletes on the field are heralding them, with a supporter portraying a royal figure leading a chorus of a national hymn.

From Fans to Pillar

It's possible that the Barmy Army's mix of history and ubiquity has now obscured quite how extraordinary their dominance of away support has been. Thirty years in the past a handful followers were brought together in comical mockery of their team at England's poor away record. Today their story is so linked with the England cricket that their colourful, "unique" crowd is virtually establishment itself. They've certainly come a great distance since the early days.

One founding member recalls the buoyant hope of the first Test of that 1994-95 tour. After the hosts making a strong start, he initiated a modest conga in the stands, winding up the Australian supporters with a chant about the past. "Local crowds shouted insults at us, then threw drink containers – the stuff that we sometimes receive today," he remembers. "However when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect On the Field

Following an early setback, England's tour continued to struggle. Anyone following the team around the country surely was barmy indeed. By the time the later Tests their crowd had increased to the hundreds. Those on the field, however, truly appreciated their noise at the grounds. When England secured a face-saving victory, a star beckoned a fan leader up to the victory celebration to join in the festivities. That bond has endured.

An Changing Institution

Furthermore, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as attractive to the English game as they are to host grounds. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will host a significant contingent of paying travellers. A variety of activities are scheduled for the three-decade milestone.

This is, after all, an group born of fan enthusiasm and commercial nous. The logic they mark their founding to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started selling souvenir shirts. The limited early stock was so immediately successful – and financially rewarding – that it launched a thriving business. Over the years, the original members have helped turn a fan community into an major sports tourism business.

Modern Evolution

That creates its own complexities, notably at a time when sport is looking to shed some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's management are keen to point out that a growing percentage of their clientele are now female. As times have changed, the chants have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Things that were acceptable 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 individually, but we will not promote songs that are derogatory."

{A Changing Demographics?

Might the Barmy Army become more sedate? The mean age of fans is now approaching the late 40s – similar to the original members, who have been happy to step away from the management. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a fan – leaving newer staff to manage the Barmy Army's online channels. "It's easy to overlook how difficult it used to be to communicate with each other," he chuckles. "We used to do it all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to England's plight, the faint hope of a series victory remains alive, which is classic Barmy Army indeed. Should England do lose in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.