Even Bazball's Downfall, the Loyal Fan Group's Crew of Ashes Veterans Remains Unshaken.

Take heart, soldier. Ben Stokes's side might be approaching the next Ashes Test now 2-0 down, however not everyone within the England setup is deterred. There is one group tailor-made for this scenario, a dedicated unit who are arguably the supreme doomsday preppers. Have your dreams been shattered? Do you feel the weight beneath the burden of crushing defeat? In that case, rally to the Barmy Army.

Advance Guard Converge on an Formation Site

As we speak, their advance guard are moving in on Adelaide, the city where they officially formed 30 years ago. England's most famous – and by headcount noisiest – tourist followers will be anticipating an celebratory against-all-odds victory, like the one they saw on that historic tour. Furthermore regardless of the result on the pitch, off it the revelries will be protracted and hearty.

"The on-field action been extremely disappointing," he admits, "however we're the lucky ones, because we're on holiday. It's likely harder for the people at home."

Even a spectacular team failure can't shake this group of battle-tested followers. They've been observing England's batting collapse since earlier than the latest star took the field. They've seen more spilled chances than key pacemen have international dismissals. Their collective record as an Ashes supporters' club reads: a long history with more defeats than victories. Those who understand how to endure a clean sweep, they are the founding members.

A Ever-Present Sight At the Ground

Certainly, for viewers at home, the Barmy Army are seen to be everywhere during this Ashes. Host broadcasters at the grounds sometimes appear more focused on the Barmies than on their own fans. Sports networks frequently use them as banter-primed prelude to a day's play. Remarkably the athletes on the field give them a wave, as a fan dressed as a monarch leading a rendition of a national hymn.

From Backpackers to Institution

Perhaps that the Barmy Army's mix of history and omnipresence has now obscured quite how remarkable their takeover of travelling fandom has been. Thirty years in the past a few travelling fans were brought together in wry self-deprecation at England's dismal away record. Now their legacy is so linked with the men's Test side that their colourful, "unique" crowd is all but establishment itself. They've certainly come a far since the initial chants.

One veteran still remembers the excited anticipation of the opening day of that pioneering tour. With the opposition on top, he initiated a small conga in the stands, provoking the locals with a song about the past. "Local crowds shouted insults at us, then threw rubbish – the treatment 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 defeat, England's tour suffered more defeats. Anyone travelling with the team around the country was considered barmy indeed. As the tour reached the later Tests their ranks had grown significantly. The players, however, came to value their presence at the grounds. When England pulled off a notable triumph, a senior player summoned a supporter up to the players' area to join in the festivities. This connection has endured.

An Evolving Operation

But then, the large crowds the Barmy Army can muster are as valuable to the English game as they are to international stadiums. At this Ashes alone, their official tours will host a large number of fans on tour. All kinds of activities are scheduled for the significant birthday.

This is, ultimately, an group born of love for the game and commercial nous. The explanation they trace their origin to a Adelaide game is because that was when they started selling merchandise. The limited early stock was so immediately successful – and lucrative – that it began a commercial operation. Over the years, the driving forces have helped turn a group of mates into an major travel company.

Modern Challenges

That carries its own complexities, especially at a time when sport is attempting to move beyond some of its lads-lads-lads image. The Barmy Army's leadership are eager to highlight that a growing percentage of their clientele are now female. With societal shifts, the vocals have had to get cleaner, too. "Language that you'd say 30 years ago you can no longer say, and that's correct," says a spokesperson. "We can't tell someone how to behave individually, but we do not endorse songs that are insulting."

{A Natural Mellowing?

Might the Barmy Army become more sedate? The demographic is now in the late 40s – like the original members, who have been pleased to withdraw from the management. One founder is savouring this tour purely as a fan – leaving a fresh team to manage the Barmy Army's social media. "It's easy to overlook how hard it used to be to communicate with each other," he laughs. "We used to do it all by word of mouth – 'everyone's going to the pub!'"

Turning to the current contest, the unlikely scenario of a historic comeback remains alive, which is very mid-90s indeed. And if England are defeated in Adelaide … well, South Africa next Christmas looks nice.