Even Bazball's Downfall, the Loyal Fan Group's Group of Seasoned Tourists Stands Firm.

Take heart, fan. Ben Stokes's squad could be approaching the next Ashes Test now 2-0 down, but some remain among supporters is disheartened. Exists one group perfectly suited for these circumstances, a unwavering unit who are arguably the supreme masters of adversity. Have your dreams been shattered? Do you feel the weight beneath the burden of unmet expectation? Then it's time, enlist with the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Converge on an Historic Location

As we speak, their early arrivals are descending upon Adelaide, the city where they first came together 30 years ago. England's most famous – and for their size most raucous – travelling fans will be dreaming of an anniversary win-against-the-odds, similar to the one they witnessed on that 1994-95 tour. And whatever happens on the pitch, in the stands and bars the celebrations will be long and loud.

"England's performance been very, very disappointing," a veteran states, "yet we're the fortunate few, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even a spectacular team failure fails to deter this group of hardened veterans. They've been watching England's batting collapse since earlier than the latest star started playing. They've observed more fielding errors than key pacemen have career scalps. Their touring history as an Ashes away contingent stands at: contested many, lost often, won seldom. If anyone understand how to weather a whitewash, they are the founding members.

A Highly Visible Presence In Coverage

Without a doubt, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army appear to be ubiquitous in this contest. Host broadcasters at the grounds frequently appear more interested in the Barmies than on their own fans. Sports networks frequently use them as banter-primed buildup to a day's play. Remarkably the players on the field acknowledge them, as a supporter portraying a royal figure starting a rendition of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's combination of longevity and ubiquity has now obscured quite how stunning their takeover of away support has been. Three decades ago a handful travelling fans were drawn together in wry mockery of their team at England's woeful away record. Today their legacy is so intertwined with the men's Test side that their boisterous, "unique" crowd is all but an accepted institution. They've certainly come a long way since the initial chants.

One original can picture the buoyant hope of the opening day of that pioneering tour. After the Australians making a strong start, he started a modest conga in the stands, teasing the Australian supporters with a song about the past. "The Aussie fans hurled abuse at us, then threw drink containers – the kind of thing that we occasionally encounter today," he recalls. "However when we got back our small band of England followers had all joined in."

Earning Appreciation From Players

After defeat, England's tour suffered more defeats. Those following the team around the country must have been barmy indeed. By the time the Melbourne and Sydney matches their ranks had increased to the hundreds. The squad, however, genuinely enjoyed their presence at the grounds. When England secured a consolation win, a team captain summoned a supporter up to the players' area to direct the celebrations. Such camaraderie has endured.

An Changing Institution

But then, the sheer numbers the Barmy Army can conjure are as valuable to the English game as they are to host grounds. On this tour alone, their official tours will host a large number of paying travellers. All kinds of activities are planned for the 30th anniversary.

This is, after all, an entity born of fan enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit. The logic they mark their founding to a particular match is because that was when they started producing souvenir shirts. The limited early stock was so instantly popular – and profitable – that it began a thriving business. Since then, the original members have helped turn a fan community into an industry-leading sports tourism business.

Modern Challenges

That brings its own challenges, notably at a time when sport is trying to lose some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's leadership are eager to highlight that a significant portion of their travelling fans are now women. As times have changed, the chants have had to get more family-friendly, too. "Comments that you'd say 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's as it should be," says a spokesperson. "It's not possible to tell someone how to behave within the confines of their seat, but we do not endorse songs that are derogatory."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Could the Barmy Army evolve quietly? The average supporter age is now nearing their fifth decade – similar to the pioneers, who have been happy to step away from the day-to-day running. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a punter – leaving a fresh team to run the Barmy Army's digital presence. "You forget how hard it used to be to communicate with each other," he smiles. "We used to do it all by meeting up – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to England's plight, the unlikely scenario of a series victory still lingers, which is very mid-90s indeed. In the event England do lose in Adelaide … well, future travels is always an option.