Even Bazball's Downfall, this Barmy Army's Crew of Ashes Veterans Is Unmoved.

Courage, trooper. Ben Stokes's team might be entering the upcoming Ashes Test now 2-0 down, but not all within the England setup is disheartened. There is one group ideally equipped 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 burden of crushing defeat? In that case, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Pioneers Move In on an Formation Site

Even now, their first wave are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they were established 30 years ago. England's iconic – and per capita noisiest – away supporters will be hoping for an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they witnessed on that 1994-95 tour. But no matter the outcome on the pitch, away from the field the revelries will be protracted and hearty.

"The on-field action been very, very disappointing," one founder concedes, "yet 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 band of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's batting collapse since before the latest star started playing. They've seen more dropped catches than some bowlers have career scalps. Their personal stats as an Ashes supporters' club reads: contested many, lost often, won seldom. The people who understand how to weather a whitewash, they are the long-standing fans.

A Ubiquitous Force On Screen

Without a doubt, if you're watching, the Barmy Army do seem to be everywhere this series. Host broadcasters at the grounds sometimes appear more interested in the Barmies than in their own fans. Broadcasters frequently use them as entertainment-focused buildup to a day's play. Remarkably the players on the field give them a wave, with a supporter portraying a monarch starting a chorus of a well-known tune.

From Fans to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's dual effect of longevity and ubiquity has now obscured quite how extraordinary their dominance of travelling fandom has been. Thirty years in the past a few backpackers were drawn together in comical self-deprecation at England's poor away record. In the present day their legacy is so synonymous with the England cricket that their colourful, "unique" crowd is all but establishment itself. They've certainly come a long way since the humble beginnings.

One veteran still remembers the excited anticipation of the series start of that pioneering tour. With the Australians on top, he initiated a six-person conga in the stands, winding up the locals with a song about historical figures. "The Aussie fans jeered at us, then threw rubbish – the treatment that we still get today," he remembers. "But when we got back our little group of England followers had all participated."

Earning Respect From Players

Following an early setback, England's tour continued to struggle. Those travelling with the team around the country must have been barmy indeed. By the time the Melbourne and Sydney matches their crowd had swelled substantially. Those on the field, however, genuinely enjoyed their noise at the grounds. When England managed a face-saving victory, a star invited a supporter up to the players' area to lead the festivities. This connection persists.

An Maturing Business

But then, the significant volume the Barmy Army can conjure are as appealing to the cricket authorities as they are to international stadiums. For this series alone, their travel packages will accommodate thousands of supporters. All kinds of activities are scheduled for the 30th anniversary.

This is, in the end, an entity born of cricketing passion and entrepreneurial spirit. The logic they mark their founding to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started offering souvenir shirts. The first small batch was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it began a thriving business. From that point, the co-founders have helped turn a fan community into an major travel company.

Modern Considerations

That carries its own issues, especially 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 significant portion of their supporters on tour are now women. With societal shifts, the chants have had to get cleaner, too. "Things that you'd say 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's as it should be," says a director. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave individually, but we won't support songs that are insulting."

{A Changing Demographics?

Could the Barmy Army become more sedate? The demographic is now approaching their fifth decade – like the original members, who have been content to distance themselves from the management. One founder is experiencing this tour purely as a fan – leaving newer staff to populate the Barmy Army's digital presence. "We forget how challenging it used to be to communicate with each other," he chuckles. "It was all done all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

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