Aussie fans are a credit to their nation

[Beny]

They certainly never say "die"! I was at Perth on the day when the Aussies retained The Ashes in 2002, thumping England out of sight by an innings and 48 runs well within three days to go 3-0 up in the series. With two games left, the Barmy Army sang their hearts out "We're gonna win 4-3". Completely innumerate, mostly drunk, utterly harmless (something which the humourless WA Police would have done well to note as their colleagues in Queensland and South Australia had done). I don't count myself among the Army's ranks, but I do think they are more good than bad for English cricket, and they have certainly seemed to get a welcome in Australia, South Africa and the Windies when I have had the good fortune to follow England to those places.

There was a lot of respect for the Barmy Army during that series.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Well, Paoli, don't tell Rachael I've done this, but here is a link to the Barmy Army's "Songs of Praise". Enjoy it!

I've seen the Army Army site.. and I urge all who think they have redeeming qualities to do the same.

[R W S]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I've seen the Army Army site.. and I urge all who think they have redeeming qualities to do the same.

For someone that expets others to take in the information available rather than what they want to see you have your blinkers on re: Barmy Army. Why not check out their site and see all the great charity work they have done, are doing and plan to do in the future. Especially the amount of monet they have raised from England supporters for the Tsunami appeal.

Are these the missing redeeming qualities you refer to?

And for somene who self confesses to not actually going to a cricket match how do they upset you so? Are they too loud on your radio?

[Seamer]

I,ve had first hand experience at the Gabba with those guys and after they had drunkenly stumbled off at the end of the days play, it looked like a tsunami had hit the Gabba! That said though, they really are entertaining, provide a lot of laughs, and pretty much good natured. A down under ashes clash would,nt be the same without them really. They certainly put our lame chants of AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE, OY,OY,OY to shame.

[Paoli]

Brilliantly said R W S.

The Barmy Army are just a group of guys who want to have a bit of fun and they aren't all about taking the **** out of the opposition to the nth degree.

Rach, come on...As R W S said they do plenty of charity work and they're great for Cricket. I wouldn't of enjoyed watching the first three tests from South Africa without them, and imagine the emptiness in the stadium.

At Boxing Day 2002, I'm estimating 3,000-5,000 Barmy Army supporters were there, taking advantage of the dirt-cheap exchange rate.

[Rachael]

Have you ever actually read the lyrics of those Barmy Army songs RWS? They are quite revolting. I'm happy with their charity work, etc... but no opposition player should have to put up with teasing and abuse from the stands.. and no spectator should have their private enjoyment of the spectacle spoint by others who can't enjoy themselves without creating a load of noise and fuss and ruining a good day out for everyone else.

Re: attending: I prefer going along to watch local village cricket. More civilised.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Have you ever actually read the lyrics of those Barmy Army songs RWS? They are quite revolting.

Some of them, Rachael: not all of them. Some of them seem to get a laugh from those who attend. Most, in fact.

Originally Posted by Rachael

ruining a good day out for everyone else.

This is patent nonsense, as the comments on this thread and newspaper coverage all over the world shows. They do not ruin a good day out for everyone else. The vast majority of coverage of their antics is positive, and that reflects my own experience of their brand of support where I have shared space with them (test matches in Australia, South Africa and the West Indies).

You will know, Rachael, from some of my previous comments on the Army, that I am not a blind defender of their right to do whatever they like - they have irritated me sometimes (rarely, but I will admit to not being a full-time fan). An out-and-out blanket condemnation is, I am afraid, just as blind as a blanket defence would be.

Live and let live, no?

[R W S]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Have you ever actually read the lyrics of those Barmy Army songs RWS? They are quite revolting. I'm happy with their charity work, etc... but no opposition player should have to put up with teasing and abuse from the stands.. and no spectator should have their private enjoyment of the spectacle spoint by others who can't enjoy themselves without creating a load of noise and fuss and ruining a good day out for everyone else.

Re: attending: I prefer going along to watch local village cricket. More civilised.

Yes I've read those lyrics - and I could add some of my own, (as anyone who has been on a rugby tour could). I hear the same words used in a much more threatening manner on my local high street and in the tube on a daily basis.

Must be very nice in your part of the world.

[Paoli]

R W S, I continue to agree with u on this subject. The Barmy Army are great for cricket. Would you consider this revolting Rachael.

We're all, out of England, and were gonna have one huge party
By day, Freddie's knocking em for six
By night, he's with us on the ****

I dont think its bad so you may think I'm not a cricketing "gentleman", but I'm afraid your gonna have to get with the cricketing times.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Some of them, Rachael: not all of them. Some of them seem to get a laugh from those who attend. [...] Live and let live, no?

Hmmm. RWS says "I hear the same words used in a much more threatening manner on my local high street and in the tube on a daily basis"... and I think that's true. That's also the reason that many people of all ages feel intimidated by the prospect of public transport (especially in London, and especially the tube) and why many people of all ages feel increasingly insecure on the streets of towns and cities the length and bredth of Britain.

I don't for one moment doubt that the barmy army is overwhelmingly made up of far more reasonable and likeable individuals than the abusive teenagers that prowl the high streets... but I do feel that the net result is pretty similar: anyone not on their wavelength and wanting to enjoy their day out as they do feels that they are in the wrong place... and under pressure to do as the rest are doing - and that's not a "live and let live" situation!

I live and let live: like millions of other I live where I'm comfortable and let others live where they are comfortable... it's just that I'm finding cricket grounds (like so many other areas) are increasingly outside of my comfort zone.

ps... I've been to look at the lyrics again.. and they remain as purile as I recalled. Someone should make each of these barmy army people sit ina room with their parents, kids, aunts, grandparents and so on.. and away from their mates.. and stone cold sober.. and witness recordings of themselves debasing themselves.