Army not to everyone's taste
In general, the Barmy Army have been welcomed by Australians, and more crucially their rival supporters, so far this tour. Perhaps not with open arms, but certainly an outstretched right hand.
In some quarters, the press has not been so tolerant of the all-singing, all-drinking mass of red-and-white coloured testosterone that has landed on Australian shores.
Their involvement in the Ashes - and involvement is the pivotal word, certainly from the perspective of those Australians who object to the Barmy Army â was thrust into focus last week in Brisbane when trumpeter Bill Cooper and his instrument were ejected from the ground. You can hear an interview with Bill here.
One such article bemoaning the supposedly intrusive influence of the Barmy Army appeared on Friday morning in South Australiaâs only daily newspaper .
Far from stopping at the usual resting point of calling the Army a distraction to the main event, Christopher Bantick labelled the supporter group âharmful to cricketâ in his article.
Bantick believes the Barmy Armyâs overtly partisan antics, though well-meaning, are âEnglish boorishness bordering on hooliganismâ and could incite violence at cricket grounds.
âIn Britain, it has exploited the singing culture of soccer,â he wrote.
âInitially, many soccer songs are whimsical and even funny, but they grate after a while. They are also used to bait opposing fans. First come the songs, then the crowd trouble.
âIt does not take too much imagination to see that Australians who want to go to the cricket and watch the game without the inanities of the Barmy Army will, at some point, express their point of view.
âThe fact is that the Barmy Army is comprised of lager louts with money. Their yobboism visited on any cricket venue is breathtakingly arrogant. They set the supporting agenda and bad luck if you donât like it.â
Ouch. Any member of the Barmy Army who happened upon this article would have reacted with a mixture of surprise and anger.
The crucial point of difference, and a rare one culturally between these two like-minded countries, is in fan behaviour.
Terrace-style football supporting is endemic in football-mad Britain. The authority of football, and all the baggage (good and bad) that comes with it, infiltrates almost every other sport in Blighty.
One only has to look at the multitude of St George's Cross flags which make their way into cricket grounds bearing the names of football teams.
Australians support their teams fervently, but, apart from the odd chant here and there, singing doesnât get a look in.
This is a commonplace activity inside British football grounds, where fans are segregated. Here in Adelaide, Australian fans situated nearby the Barmy Army have looked on with nothing stronger than bemusement when their counterparts have found voice.
Bantick views the Barmy Army as a bad guest, one who enters a house, disrespects the rules and thinks he owns the place. This is a bit unfair. Apart from their indignation at falling foul on long-standing rules in Brisbane, I have observed the Barmy Army as well-behaved and good fun.
They may be like no other guest Australia has entertained, but if the locals can get past the brashness and sarcasm - and if the Army can stay on the right side of that line - there is no reason the two canât live in harmony.
cheers for the late nights, lack of sleep ... etc..
News Flash end of play on day 3......
Australia all out 308 follow on enforced 2nd innings Australia 68 for 2 at the close of play...
what more can an England fan dream of..
thanks for the late nights
kind regards always....
Complain about this postAustralian newspapers are complaining about fan behaviour? That's a bit rich, given their taunting of Simon Jones as he lay on the floor with his knee busted open on the last tour. I'll have a hypocrisy sanger please, with a pint of to go with it.
Complain about this postThank goodness for the Barmy Army. In times when one can't support football for fear of being stigmatised, one likes to think that the English can be shown to support the actual sport and give as good as the Aussies, bless 'em. Otherwise it's just not Cricket.
Complain about this postYeah...it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Throw the entire lot out if possible. No-one originally intends to do any harm and 'they mean it', but we know the potential for crowd trouble after a few unhealthy doses of alcoholic lubricants.
Am English too, but will NEVER refuse to admit that we have the tendency to be disrespectful guests at sporting events.
Complain about this postCricket and Rugby Union. Soccer. Chalk and Cheese. Your beloved 'Barmy Army' have no place with the the former pairing. While lager may well be acceptable to antipodeans (bless em, they know not what they do), the herd culture displayed by a worrying percentage of the visiting fans needs quashing.
Now and forever.
Complain about this postI entirely agree with the Australian corroursoursespondent's comments about the Barmy army. They do cricket no favours.
Complain about this postI think this is a generational thing as much as a national thing. I have watched days in England near the Barmy Army with my dad. We are both huge English fans.... I loved the banter ... he hated it.
Another day in Asia glued to the silent computer screen. Can omeone PLEASE post the definitive answer as to whether the ball by ball coverage is available on radio/internet outside England and Australia.
I understand the issue of broadcasting rights but if NO-ONE is doing it, then where's the problem. Maybe the ±«Óătv are worried they could not handle the traffic ?!
Complain about this postThe barmy army may be vocal, irritating and even drunk. However, the aussies are not without problems, I was at a game earlier this year against Sri Lanka at the SCG where the aussies were singing "Immigration let us down" and several people were ejected for fighting. I have been to many games in England and never felt as intimidated as I did then.
Complain about this postAs a real English cricket fan of many years I just want to say how much the Aussie approach to the "barmy army " actually reflects my view and that of many of my mates who watch English cricket.
Complain about this postThe point to make is I have an idea of fun watching cricket and dont need to impose it on any one else except my friends who can soon take it or leave it. The morons who spend hours mindlessly chanting pathetic, non funny songs inflict their idea of fun on everyone else and why should we have to listen to it?
They are not yobs, not spoiling for a fight, just rather a sad bunch, looking to be slightly more interesting than they really are and should now call it a day and return to their pathetic inadequate lives and shut up.
very ironic, seeing the aussies were chanting racist abuse to monty, aswell as singing about freddy flintoff being killed by a cricket ball.
that guy should wake up and smell the coffee.
Complain about this postThis article is so far wide of the mark it is not funny. Here in Adelaide the Army has been welcomed with open arms. The Oz authorities have been challenging the local Oz Fans 'the fanatics" to take the army on in song and banter. As far as I am aware there has been no trouble and the town of Adelaide is abuzz with the atmosphere. Yes they have banned the use of the trumpet - not sure i garee with that but it is a rule that was in place way before the Army were thought of.
Complain about this postWho is Christopher Bantick anyway never even the heard the name before and I've been in Adelaide 35 years!
well knackered with all this but hey. Not really been much of a cricket fan but got well into ashes last time round so now im trying a rites of passage thing by staying up all night to listen (girlfriend not happy)
how can fans if not being overtly offensive at any sporting event be wrong? course you arent always going to agree with all fans behaviour whichever side you are on.
Complain about this postGood god almighty.
Calling the Barmy Army hooligans is absurd. I can't remember any fighting at cricket matches in the last year.
The Australian media need to look at their fans. Their an embarrasment.Whereas the Army go to watch cricket, sing some inoffensive songs, and cheer on the England, the Australians go to watch cricket, sing offesive songs ('Nel is a w**ker, Nel is a w**ker, (vs SA last december)), and dabble in the odd bit of racism. The fact of the matter is that the Australians are scared of the Army, as it would definately appear that England and especially Flintoff feed off their energy.
Complain about this postThethirdlion, I've posted this elsewhere but hopefully it answers your question:
The ±«Óătv has negotiated restricted rights with Cricket Australia, which means we can only make the coverage available in certain areas.
That way, CA can sell rights packages to different broadcasters - including ABC, who have the rights to broadcast in Australia.
In practice this means the ±«Óătv only allows users with an IP address originating in the UK to access commentary over the internet.
Remember, this is the first time we have had any internet rights at all for a series in Australia so it's an improvement on previous Ashes tours even if it doesn't go as far as many of you would like.
Complain about this postI don't know about the Barmy Army, but an Australian journalist worrying about them is a little bit rich when you consider the multiple times Australian fans have been accused of making racist chants, as has already been noted here. South Africa, England, Sri Lanka - the list goes on. Virtually every country to tour Australia recently has had to endure racist abuse. They should fix their own house before worrying about ours.
Complain about this postThis reporter is not alone with his disingenuous comments which are arrogance personified. When things start to go wrong for the Australian cricket team, the whining starts â and they call us whinging POMs!
Complain about this postOk well...
What's wrong with a nice bit of cheering? have they ever thought of maybe just slightly loosening that rod that has been so neatly placed up their ass's and relax, enjoy the game. God, atleast be greatful that They have something to cheer about!
The Barmy Army is just showing support to their team and fellow countrymen where as we all know how friendly and welcoming the Aussie supporters can be to visiting players. So how about the idiots just sit down and watch some world class cricket instead of complaining. Why do they feel that they have to have a dig at our most excellent supporters? maybe they could all learn something from the sporting behavior shown by both teams.
So in summary.. Grow up and just watch some top quality cricket!!!
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army are a credit to the game and to the team they support. As a regular to home tests mainly in Leeds and the Western Terrace I go as much for the enjoyment of being in the crowd as to watch the action on the field.
There repuatation is so far above that of English Football fans (themselves a good bunch in the main), and in my opinion they have also opened cricket up to the young people, who seem far more interested in cricket now than say 10-15 years ago.
I feel the views in the article are more based on disliking change as much as disliking the Barmy Army. Indeed, on the same website there are articles which so how the game is changing, and how the Aussies are as much into the fancy dress, banter and enjoying of the odd pint while watching their cricket. And to be fair, the Barmy Army are responsible for the enjoyable nature for home tests, and changing the atmosphere of tests around the world.
Long may they continue :)
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army are just drunken yobs....
The Australian public does not see these as "ambassadors" for England or the game, just yobs.
I'd be surprised if a lot of the Barmy Army even knew they were at the cricket....
The true supporters are those biting their nails....on both sides.
Complain about this postlarger louts with money interesting comments all of them. i have witnessed aussie crowds in steve waugh last test for oz against india with members of the crowd slagging off the indians for thier dress sense suggesting the wearing of proper clothes and general loutish abuse. it appeares to be ok for the aussies to be abusive, racist and generally drunk and disordally but if other nations do it its just not cricke!
Complain about this postHere you go mate!
At 01:12 AM on 03 Dec 2006, thethirdlion wrote:
I think this is a generational thing as much as a national thing. I have watched days in England near the Barmy Army with my dad. We are both huge English fans.... I loved the banter ... he hated it.
Another day in Asia glued to the silent computer screen. Can omeone PLEASE post the definitive answer as to whether the ball by ball coverage is available on radio/internet outside England and Australia.
I understand the issue of broadcasting rights but if NO-ONE is doing it, then where's the problem. Maybe the ±«Óătv are worried they could not handle the traffic ?!
Complain about this postThis is really a bit rich coming from the Australians. Complaining about hard drinking fans? That would fit in with Australian culture pretty well, I would have thought.
And as for the taunting, sledging has been a regular feature of the Australian team itself for some time.
Comparing the relatively brash Barmy Army to hooligans is quite an exaggeration - hooliganism involves fighting, throwing bottles, tearing up stadiums - behaviour a great deal more extreme than the antics of the Barmy Army.
Maybe some Australians are just nervous about not winning back the ashes, and don't like anything which could put their team out of its stride.
Complain about this postLived in Australia for 12 years - been on most tourist tests each year, including one day matches. Never do i fail to be shocked at EVERY game i have been on when the Aussies start fighting with each other and are totally legless and also commence thier full on loud racist comments. This is EVERY YEAR for 12 years. SO any of you Australians on this blog that can not face the truth, open your eyes, or have you actually been on any AUSTRALIAN test matches or one day games over the past 12 years? Or are you just watching from your deckings with your XXXX Gold ? Me thinks it is a case of the big one eyed green monster coming into play!
Complain about this postI love cricket. Every moment I can, I either watch a game, or play club cricket.
Sadly, whenever these stupid people start their chanting (singing doesn't quite seem the right word) I turn the sound off on the television. A pity..the commentary is usually very good and well informed...but I can not tolerate the mindless noise these 'fans' generate. Were I unfortunate enough to be at a cricket ground when they began their 'singing', I would leave at once.
Briefly, they spoil the enjoyment of the game for others. I am ashamed to be English when I see their childish antics.
I wonder why they cannot simply watch and enjoy the game?
Ricky Coleclough
Complain about this postNo sour grapes then our Aussie cousin? Not much. Aussies always moan about the English in fact we are apparently so borish it makes you wonder why you can't turn around in London without falling over an Aussie..
We sing when we're winning and we sing when we're losing which is more than can be said for the sulky Southerners, so cheers up lads and pack in the uber ironic snobery, or don't; in the immortal words of Catherine Tait "We aint bovvered!"
Complain about this postTo the thirdlion
Dont know if this post will get through as the Beeb may not want to help the competition BUT ball by ball commentary is on www.cricinfo.com
Click on Live Scorecard on the home page just below the headline.
Cheers
Complain about this postthe answer within this debate is simple, i think the aussies who dislike the barmy army are mostly jealous of the lack of a similar group, when out in oz earlier this year many of my friends agreed they lacked what the barmy army provided.
Complain about this postand as for the english fans complaining about the army i belive its a very generational thing. my uncle began taking me to tests 10 years ago at the age of 11 in the western terrace at headingley. as it was the cheaper end it was best place to go (tight yorkshire folk!), the banter coming from there i loved, he, as a traditional with his cricket, hates it. however as an avid follower of leeds united in football too, the barmy army are nothing like certain football fans and to actually question their commitment to cricket and the england team is i think quite offensive. they've been following england for years all over the world, to the furthest ends of pakistan, sri lanka and australia while getting hammered, there true fans and indeed do take alot of things from the football culture in england, however i think more people on here, and maybe in australia, need to open their minds and realise cricket isnt just for old men sitting quietly in full shirt and tie drinking bitter, its for the masses.
as an england fan, and future barmy army tour member (finances permitting!) all i can say is...
BARMY ARMY!
The opinion of one journalist â who no doubt is as ĂŒber-nationalistic as the next Australian â at a small newspaper isn't as important as the collective opinions of the ICC, who don't appear to have any problems with the Barmy Army. Australian fans seem to be taking all of the attention of the ICC away from the Army; they may not be able to sing, but they can direct monkey chants at the South Africans in perfect harmony.
Complain about this postThe aussies are running scared.
Complain about this postThe barmy army will never be defeated,we are here to stay.
Get stuck into em england!
Once the aussies start whining,the next thing to look for is the unmitigated fear in their eyes.
Put the blasted hypocrits to the sword.
The Barmy Army should be sent to fight in Iraq. It would soon sober up. Take away the alcohol and the loudness and I guess there's not much left. Empty vessels make most noise. How can serious lovers of sport be expected to sit in harmony alongside this incessant cacophony ?
Complain about this postBrisbane had the right solution. Take away their orchestral dummy and disperse them amongst the sane.
Problem solved!
aj,
A shame you're not looking at bbc.co.uk/cricket
Ball-by-ball written commentary, as on Cricinfo, is available to all.
My colleague Ben Dirs, who is writing said commentary, has taken great personal offence at your snub. Well, he will do when I tell him.
Complain about this postAnon (20)
The link you provide is Australia-only, as I mentioned.
Complain about this postAs someone who has taken in several Test Matches and One Day matches in recent years, I feel that the Barmy Army have been excellent for cricket as a whole.
The purists will say that they're just a bunch of loudmouthed louts and yobs who have no place in the game of cricket.
In my opinion, Cricket, like every other sport in recent years, has changed beyond comprehension from the old ideals that were once seen. In the days where you can pay ÂŁ50 for a ticket for a football match (which, as we're all aware lasts about 90minutes), paying about half of that for a days entertainment. There is a new image of the game, and families, as well as single men and women, can often be found within the ranks of the Barmy Army, and those that do not like what we say, or what we do, are welcome to watch the game from wherever they want. Its not like we're forcing you to join in the singing.
I'd love to be out in Australia, but unfortunately, I'm skint, and work too many night shifts.
Rob.
Complain about this postI am from England, and now live in Oz. I am a season ticket holder at the Perth Glory. The fans are excellent singing along, cheering everything the team does (good and bad!!). In recent times there have been attempts to prevent the singing of raucous and songs with bad language. However as pointed out in your article, Its a part of the game, the majority of the fans of Glory are english, still yearning for some decent football and remembering their times on the terrace's in the UK.
A lot of Australians dont understand and dont appreciate the language and implication of some of the songs. Go to any Aussie Rules game and there's less atmosphere than at Old Trafford for a Man Utd game!!
I am sure the Aussies can put up with the Barmy Army for 2 months every 5 years!! Come On England!!!!!!
Complain about this postFor anyone interested the entire Ashes series is available (in Russia anyway) for AusD19.99 on the Cricket Australia website. Only problem - it is no comparison with TMS - they only talk about cricket.
Complain about this postThis is astonishing stuff from the Aussie papers! "They are also used to bait opposing fans."... & "breathtakingly arrogant. They set the supporting agenda and bad luck if you donât like it.â
Blah blah blah (sob sob)! Hillarious! Poor Aussies will whinge when they get a bit of mouth back at them, eh?!
Complain about this postI have toured three times before with England and the official Barmy Army are a disgraceful organisation. They fleece fans where they can - no bigger point than when there was no advice to the fans travelling to the Caribbean in 2004. Someone, somewhere knew that we could have bought tickets over there and not at the ludicrous levy prices. I have met some hardened cricket fans who stay away from the Barmy Army - The Pink Panther and Sylvester being two of them! It is the way ahead, I promise.
Complain about this postHere we go, you would never know thing's aren't going the aussies way would you? Miserable gits!
Barmy army just having a bit of harmless fun and banter with the Aussie fans. I don't recall ever seeing anyone complaining about some of the inciteful abuse that the aussie fans come out with. Shame the Aussies can give it but can't take it.
Imagine the atmosphere if the fascist fun police had there way. How many peolpe do you seriously think would show up to watch a game?
To all you cricket snobs out there, mainly English, it's the interest and support of these "English boorish lager louts", and aussie counterparts, that's keeping the game alive.
Good on yer barmy army for getting behind the boys and actually showing them some support, unlike some of these cheerless grouch'es. Wish I was there with you, and no I don't have a pathetic inadequate life.
What's wrong with lager anyway? Beats the pants of that poor excuse for a beer "VB".
England England England
Complain about this postHa! Sledging. I rest my case. Apparently riling the adversary is only allowed on the pitch?
Complain about this postNonsense. If the Aussies have a problem with the barmy army, well tough. It enlivens up the atmosphere, and frankly Kerry Packer was looking for this kind of thing when he revolutionised cricket 30 years ago. Sounds, smells and indeed reads like bad loser syndrome from a buch of small time journos. The Aussies want a competition (bar one or two provincial hacks) and as far as I can see prefer the barmy army to the comatose geriatrics that they've seen in the past.
In response to Alan, many of the people who object to the Barmy Army are not "old men sitting quietly in full shirt and tie drinking bitter".
Complain about this postThey are men and women of similar age and profile to most Barmy Army members.
The crux of their objection returns to the very point you make in support of the Barmy Army - that cricket is for the masses.
By definition, sport loses its mass appeal when the behaviour of some spoils the fun for the rest. This has happened in the past but I have not seen anything of the sort in Adelaide. Everyone has been getting on well.
As for the supposition that Australians are jealous of a mass supporter group like the Barmy Army, you are far wide of the mark. Australia has an organised group called The Fanatics that anyone can join should they feel so compelled. By the same token, there are enough problems with Australian crowds as it is without seeking to form congregations in the name of identity.
This Aussie in Asia has received plenty of banter , digs and baits from his 'pommie' mates for years whenever England and Oz cross sporting paths. The drunker the louder and no let up if the chips are down and don't we love it.
Australia are playing at home, give it back in bucketfuls I say, and stay sporting about it!
Complain about this postThis is a storm in a tea cup.
I attended the Adelaide Test on Saturday, stood on the hill under the electronic scoreboard and in my opinion the Barmy Army were generally good natured fun.
Of course their will be some poor behaviour from supporters of both sides but generally everyone simply wants to have some fun and appreciate the game.
Rather than being a clash of national sporting cultures I see this as being a clash between conservative cricket followers and a younger more animated supporter base - regardless of nationality.
In my opinion the people who criticise the Barmy Army are a touch precious. The Army's enthusiasm for the occasion and the contest has created a good atmosphere, not a bad one.
What is concerning is alledged racist behaviour from some supporters. I am sure the majority of people from both sides find this appalling and I am happy to report that the management of the Adelaide Oval have made it very clear that this will not be tolerated.
I am confident that Christopher Bantick's article does not reflect the view of the majority of Australian cricket supporters.
Complain about this postAnonymous, thank you, you have made me very happy. ABC coverage works here in Hong Kong. I like the ball-by-ball text but you can't beat the radio commentary.
Barmy Army - A bit irritating and also un-funny on occasion but the majority are totally fine and there's almost never any bother. People do get intimidated by large groups of noisy, drinking men, that's a fact of life wherever in the world. I am fairly certain this even happens in Australia.
While writing this (and listening on the afore-mentioned ABC web-link) an official from the club has expressed appreciation of the Barmy Army and the atmosphere they are generating, I have mostly heard positive things from our hosts.
Green-eyed monster? Maybe.
Trying to sell newspapers by generating some controversy? Perish the thought!
I do feel sorry for the people who don't like the noise because it it not everyone's idea of fun, but neither is sitting quietly and clapping occasionally. One should be able to move if you don't like the people you are sitting near, maybe they could have "quiet areas" assigned for those who want it.
Best test I ever went to was at the Oval against the Windies, there was so much going on, it was a carnival, people dancing, drums, trumpets and dancing, I think there was some cricket going on. Nobody complained. The Poms didn't whinge, it was fantastic.
Complain about this postThanks for all the suggestions and the explanations about the internet/radio situation. Hugh's tip has worked ... Im in ! Now if I could just hear the clatter of Punter's stumps my day would be complete ! Come ON England !
Complain about this postWhat is this bloke on about?
Complain about this postHow is it ruining cricket? OK, if they are singing racist chants, then thats a limit that they should not pass, but as far as I know I havent heard any. Cricket aint the most exciting of sports in the world, expecially after yesterday when nothing was really happening because of Warnes boring tactics. The barmy army add a bit of humour and excitement to the sport.
Please don't take the opinions of our American owned press as the views of the general population of Adelaide. I sat with a group of poms at the first day of the Adelaide Test and had a great belly laugh at their antics, wit and songs. The banter was friendly and we had a great day together. The Barmy Army can visit us more often if my experience was anything to go by.
Complain about this postThe majority of posts here seem to be from people who haven't been at this Ashes series. As someone who has, here's my tuppence worth: the Barmy Army are ruining the game. There are two main reasons for this: one, they are as deliberately offensive as they can possibly be. I sat among a section of them at the Gabba (breaking them into relatively small groups only meant they were everywhere) and they consulted with one another before each chant trying to work out what would cause the maximum offence. 'Try this one, this will REALLY p*ss them off'. Songs about how Australia is a 'convict colony' (the army's favourite chant on this tour) are not light-hearted banter, they are deliberately insulting. Not all the songs are offensive (worship of Freddie etc) but many/most are.
One of the army's most distinctive traits is to point at the opposition fans as they sing. This might not sound like much but it is unmistakeably done to cause offence, and also - albeit unconsciously (perhaps) - this pointing, which is coordinated with perfect timing, is disturbingly like a Nazi salute.
Secondly, and perhaps even more imporantly, most members of the army have NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THE GAME. None. Half the time they're not even watching. They have their backs to the game, facing the Aussie fans, pointing and chanting at them. They barely see a ball bowled. Go to the grounds and watch them - it goes on for hour after hour, incessantly. No cricket fan could keep his or her back to the action for that long.
Complain about this postCricket hasn't been the same since the Barmy Army replaced the Smarmy Army.
Complain about this postEnglish people abroad. Too much sun and alcohol combined with an ugly arrogance that they don't see in themselves. Loud mouthed louts !
Complain about this postwell all of you in england can get to watch or hear the game... all I get is just to see the scores and write-up on the internet.....
Complain about this postcan not even get any thing on the internet... it is only for the UK only, what about all the BRITISH over sea who follow the team.....
come on give us over seas fans something on the internet to listen to
I think the seperation of the barmy army is just a tatic employed by the aussies to prevent england performing, they generate an atmosphere and get behind the team. Note in Adelaide the performance when the b army are behind apose to brisbane, also I feel there is a hint of jealousy that their fans can not sing and create funny songs in the same manner. Overall the b army brings cricket into 21st cent generating an atmosphere and excitment. Aussies despratley want to stop england keeping the ashes and are using any tatic socialy aswell as on the field to prevent england succeeding.
Complain about this postDon't waste your time trying to interpret "The Advertiser". In a world of tabliod newspapers masking themselves as genuine, the advertiser manages to stand out as the most parochial, poorly written piece of crap you could find. It's a national laughing stock, Christopher Bantick s articles belong in the garbage.
Complain about this postThey are spot on - the barmy army have one song and is made up of stuck up toffs who think they can get away with certain behaviour just because they are used to getting their own way in life. Us football fans can't even pick our nose in a football ground these days just because its a working class sport, whereas these inbred toffs can do anything they like. Disgusting - kick the boring idiots out of cricket ASAP, they are an embarrasment to England.
Complain about this postMaybe the Aussies need to hear a few home truths. I have been at the MCG on many occaisons listening to large numbers of Aussie fans singing derisory and direspectfuland sometimes obscene songs about opponents. They are also rather prone to racism. They are also usually devoid of the barmy army's humour.
Complain about this postThe Australian sports media are in no position to adopt the high moral ground about boorish behaviour - as the leadup to the Rugby Union world cup final in 2003 amply demonstrated. Australia has one of the most blinkered, biased nationalistic sports cultures in the world- almost devoid of a sense of sportsmanship.
Obviously Mr Bantick has never been to the hilll at Adelaide Oval on a middle Saturday. As an Englishman living in Australia the closest i ever came to any violence at the cricket was incited by a drunken Australian. My Aussie friends had to be stoppd from assaulting him as he vocally objected to the fact that i dared to attend the cricket in my national teams colours. As Australians like to say "suck it up". It is this kind of attitude i.e that "all that we don't undestand is to be condemned" that displays all that is wrong with Australia.
Complain about this postAll these amateur mind games... having lived amongst the boorish Australians all over Asia for 10 years it is obvivious that the win at all costs and stop at nothing to do so Aussies are now just attempting to neutralise any percieved advantage that the Barmy Army may give England.... .
The Australians and their arrogance, appalling lack of good spirit especially when they lose is now so ingrained in the national psyche that far from getting angry we should treat them with the pity they deserve...
Complain about this postSurely they are least gracious when winning and the worst losers in the world of sport... and that includes the Americans!
Who cares about the Barmy Army?
Complain about this postThey think that the focus is on them as much as the Cricket, they are over exposed and should grow up.
Grown men that carry on like intoxicated kids.
Have a good time enjoy yourself by all means.
let others enjoy themselves as well without ruining their day with stupid antics.
Barmy Army? more like drunken Sheep.
The writer is clearly English.
About 100 yrs ago Don McLean wrote a song that could sum up the barmy army
'Everybody loves me baby what's the matter with you'
the problem will always be with those stupid foreign people that don't realise that our scum are on their best bahaviour.
Complain about this postI am scotsman resident in Adelaide and was out for the night on Thrusday past with a couple of friend both English and Scottish. Throughout the night we encountered numerous England Cricket fans many of which had consumed their fair share of local beers and wines. All who we met were good natured and were welcomed by the local bars and hotels.
I am not intersted in Cricket but the odd moment I have seen of the coverage the antics of the England fans only add to the specatacle and again all appear good natured and well behaved.
Complain about this postI loved that part that said...
Complain about this post"It does not take too much imagination to see that Australians will at some point, express their point of view" - great!
I think the "intrusive influence" is probably the real reason behind the outburst. The Australians want it all their own way on home territory but they're being faced with a very vocal England support so it probably feels less like playing at home than they're used to and would like. Personally, as much as I think The Barmy Army are an ugly introduction to cricket, I hope they continue because our boys need as much support as they can get when out in Australia.
Complain about this postInteresting to read the comments by an Australian journalist on the behaviour of England supporters. Does this same journalist have any comments on the various Australian TEAMS that travel overseas and constantly are in the news for their behaviour? I would suggest that if you want to see drunken louts there are plenty of the home grown variety. People who live in glass houses...................
Complain about this postGraham
The irony of it never ceases to make me laugh: we're called whinging Poms when it seems to me and most other non-Australians, that when it comes to whinging the Aussies are world-beaters - along with being able to dish it out, but utterly unable to take it in return.
Complain about this postthis is all very old hat. it does indeed seem to me that the aussies are once again annoyed at the way the english fans follow the team. Are you seriously telling me that this sort of behaviour leads to fights? like a previous comment stated aussies tend to fight amongst themselves (just got back from a few drink in wimbledon, london..case in point) PLEASE get something decent to say about our mighty barmy army. good for you lads, stick it to em
Complain about this postThe barmy army can pack up and leave as far as cricket supporters here in OZ are concerned.
Now we have enough yob fans in oz I admit. What we don't need is another grou[ baiting them with songs such us
' we are in a convict land ha ha'
what a great family fun time the ashes has turned out to be. Aussies have had so much success in all sports why do they need to try to belittle us. No one care about our minor history of convicts in our country.
Auusie fans full of beer are shouting back and the ashes has turned into a farce. The sooner this is over the better.
Complain about this postIT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE AUSSIES CAN GIVE IT OUT BUT CANNOT TAKE IT, ASK MONTY ABOUT THE RACIST COMMENTS HE HAS HAD TO ENDURE BUT DOES HE MOAN ?, NO, HE JUST GETS ON WITH IT LET THE BARMY ARMY ENJOY THEMSELVES, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE AUSSIES WERE UP FOR A BIT OF BANTER, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT, DONT EVER CALL US THE WHINGING POMS AGAIN .
Complain about this postI completely agree with the tenor of many of the critical comments of the Barmy Army, especially those from Englishmen like me. I particularly object to their arrogance in claiming that they represent English supporters. They don't represent me and in fact have driven a lot of cricket's traditional supporters away from the game. It was the whole tabloid-reading, beer-swilling, unfunny-sitcom-watching culture of Britain (so perfectly represented by the supporters in Adelaide) that took me away not just from cricket but from Britain itself.
Complain about this postWas there the same anti Barmy Army sentiment on England's previous tours whilst Australia held the Ashes and were winning?
Complain about this postProbably not.
Overseas fans might like to do a search for 'the stuff cricket bats are made of' and 'TV'.
Complain about this postI'm all for supporters enjoying the cricket (with good natured comments) but not when they are drunk and singing stupid songs. It will one day will result in crowd trouble when the oppostion also muster up a group of larger louts.
In the 1980s when the Windies were dominating world cricket, their supporters only used to blow whistles and air horns. Do you rmember how the the UK press and commentators (some of which are still commentating) used to complain saying that this is totally unacceptable behaviour? The same press and commentators now wlecome the Barmy Army with open arms!
We don't need to advertise our larger lout/binge drinking culture abroad.
Complain about this postTypical whinging Ausie comment. The Aussies have many wonderful qualities, but the ability to be graceful when things aren't going their way is not one of them.
Complain about this postHow to get radio broadcasts outside the UK
Get a friend in the UK to tune in to the Cricket on a radio, and then plug the 'Audio Output' from the radio into the 'Microphone input' of the computer.
Get them to call you on 'Messenger', 'Skype' , 'Yahoo' etc and bingo. All they have to do is leave the computer switched on all night.
Best Rgds
Complain about this postTO COMPARE CRICKET SUPPORTERS TO FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS AND LUMPING THEM IN THE SAME BASKET IS BASICALLY STUPID AND INSULTING, MR BANTICK NEEDS TO GO TO A FOOTY MATCH PERHAPS A CHELSEA GAME IN THE HARDCORE END THEN MAKE HIS JUDGEMENT. THE BARMY ARMY MAY LIKE A DRINK AND A SING SONG HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS PART OF BEING BRITISH NOT YOB BEHAVIOUR, A DRINK AND A SING SONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN AROUND.
Complain about this postIF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY A ONE DAY TEST AT THE OVAL BETWEEN NZ AND AUSSIES ENDED IN DRUNK RIVALS HAVING PUNCH-UPS AND RUNNING ON TO THE GROUND EVADING THE GROUND STAFF AND CAUSING INJURIES, NOW THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT IN OZ ? MR BANTICK SHOULD NOT THROW STONES IN HIS SHELTERED GREEN HOUSE.
Seems to me that ownership of the game is in dispute. The traditional English fans think they own the game because they were there first. The Barmy Army think they own the game because they are bigger, louder and more enthusiastic than anyone else, the aussies think they own the game because for years, they've been better than anyone else.
Well, sorry but none of you own the game. You are just going to have to share it. We each have the right to support the game as we choose but we equally have to be tolerant of others. Someone suggested a "true fan" would be sitting biting his nails. I disagree. That's the way some true fans express themselves. Some true fans express themselves by dancing or singing in support for hours, literally feeling shoulder to shoulder with the men in the middle. Neither are wrong.
I don't know many true fans though who spend the entire day in the corporate hospitality tent though.
Equally, there is no place in the game for racism or violence. Perhaps the men in the middle need to think about the example they are setting with aggressively personal attacks. If it's OK for them then perhaps it's ok for fans?
Personally, supporters of all denominations should be making far more fuss, not about those people who are in the ground but the fact that the millions of people NOT in the ground can't see the game on terrestrial TV. And I am sure that all "true fans" could unite about that at least.
Complain about this postI think that the Barmy Army should be more respectful and are spoiling the ambience of a test match.
Complain about this postI know Australia ia a long way from England but Mr. Bantick sounds like he's from a different planet!
Complain about this postI, like thethirdlion, can not for the life of me wonder why it's ok to broadcast in UK but not to overseas on the "net" If you are in UK then you have the radio for goodness sakes. I am also in Asia, Korea, where they no nothing of "real sport". Please lets have some real answers and not this rights issue. I pay my licence fee so why can't I have a password or something to allow me to listen?
Complain about this postBy the way, the "live text" is so poorly written I have trouble to understand all the idioms and knicknames. Come on ±«Óătv stop dumbing down and give some intelligent commentry.
Howard Parry in Seoul
I am at Adelaide and have been sitting close to where the main Barmy Army group has been. Their behaviour has been excellent and the local press don't know what they are wingeing about!
Complain about this postLike everything in this world let's just be a bit more tolerant to differences. I'm an Aussie who has seen the Barmy Army over here in OZ a few times now. At first I thought they were funny sometimes even witty, however, now after being saturated with the same songs I find them a tad stale. But who cares. They are generally having a good time and I'm watching the greatest sport in the world. I think we can co-exist for three sessions. Instead of having a go at those barmy lads lets focus our energies on a more important cricketing matter - the price of watered down beer at the Gabba.
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army are like smokers who's right to smoke effects everyone near them. If your a smoker - you dont notice it, if you arent - it can ruin your day. (The UK public smoking ban starts next year).
A crowd has many heads but only one mind. The Army's mind set needs to be shifted when on tour, or unfortunately it will be shifted for them by the authorities, which is no fun at all.
Empire is dead - bring on the cricket!
Complain about this postWhose brilliant idea was it in the ABC to send a reporter up into the crowd of inebriated Brits at 3.30 in the afternoon. The resultant language was hardly a surprise!! The Barmy Army are obnoxious yuppies and working class hangers on hoping to get a middle class yobette as a trophy . I wish they would go back to the shires and the inner city slums they inhabit and let us all( Poms and Aussies ) reclaim the game.
Complain about this postInteresting. "...boorishness bordering on hooliganism..." sounds familiar to me, particularly as it may refer to sledging.
"...lager louts with money..." sounds like the stereotypical view of the average aussie.
As for acusations af arrogance (which means having an inflated sence of ones own worth or importance) ... well I rest my case.
Complain about this postBalmy Army ?
Complain about this postJust not cricket old boy
wts wrong with going out to watch cricekt and haveing a little fun chanting about it??
How boring would it be if the BA and the aussie fans just sat there and looked on?
Complain about this postFor the Australians to be accusing us of boorishness and arrogance we must be doing something right. I thought we were supposed to be the whingers? They are the ultimate wind-up merchants and if they are feeling wound up then the Barmy Army are doing their job.
Complain about this postOh hell has Australia lost the plot.........truely she has and her sense of humour too. Having been living in London when the true football violence was in motion yes singing had a part but how do we stretch it to this bullshit. Cricket and Rugby have long been around when the football voilence was in its zenith but we saw no such issues in cricket or rugby grounds. Australia wake up to yourself the cricket team is arrogant and frankly a bunch who deserve to be trashed often as they believe they are beyond reproach sorry but humility is something Australia as a nation needs to know.
But saying that we are all blessed with the best place to live on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
regards Peter
Complain about this postTo say that the Barmy Army are bad for cricket is wholly unfair. My dad was at the sydney test last time round and bought back with him a centre spread (i think from the sydney morning herald) saying just how good the Army were.
There songs are both witty and clever and it is undeniable the effect they have on the engalnd team. How many times has it been mentioned in interviews by some player or other that "we were struggling a bit, but the crowd got behind us and gave us a lift"???
And, on top of that, the Army follows english cricket to the ends of the earth. There might have been only 100 englishmen in the crowd for the away tours to indi and pakistan over the last few years.
Added to that, they do work for charity, you cant deny these people love what they do and one reporter ain't gonna stop 'em.
Complain about this postThats absolutely ridiculous.
The aussies need to worry about their own problems of racism before trying to turn a jealousy of our sport into a global problem.
They have already racially abused 2 squad members, jeered at simon jones last year when he had a very serious injury and i think im right in saying that Murali refuses to play in australia because of the ill treatment he recieves each time he does. And when he makes a return to australia with a world 11 saying that their contribution to helping with the tsunamis was his reason for playing, they still jeered him.
Now that has clearly affected world cricket in a negative way.
They call us the whinging poms but i think every neutral can see clearly who the real whingers are.
Chris
Complain about this postI am an Australian living in Adelaide and have experienced the Barmy Army in full flight in both countries. I have also met a number of them and find them nothing like the Hooligan element of British Football, in fact they are just the opposite. Their values also reflect this. The problem is that a number of our countrymen have no idea how to take their fun and sense of humor (eg cant handle them takin the piss). i have seen more aussies agressively target them rather than vice versa. Tell me what is wrong with a bunch of lads and lasses cruising the world having a great time, supporting their team and busily raising money for charity in the process. Long live the army and all of the fun they bring to cricket, as it was only a few years ago where Test cricket was predicted to die a slow death.
Complain about this postAustralians have no right to complain about crowd behaviour. They are the most racist nation I have ever come across.
Complain about this postWhat a load of utter rubbish. The barmy army are dedicated fans who give up a lot of their work and pay to follow and encourage their team no matter where in the world they go. I think the Australians are just scared of a bunch of fans who can be as noisy and boisterous as their mob, without having to resort to the foul and abusive language that thy do.
Anyone who complains about the army just has to lighten up.
Complain about this postI always have to take any critisism from the Aussies with a large pinch of salt. Reluctantly have to agree with several of those on this board - having visited Oz several times, I too have found the endemic racist attitudes of middle class Australia quite shocking.
Complain about this postFor all thos moaning about coverage outside of the uk need to look harder.
www.ecbtv.co.uk - live coverage of all England home tests
www.willow.tv - live coverage of all England Tours (Ashes 50euros for 5 tests)
I live in Holland and they don't know what cricket is and since finding these sites have not missed a ball. Willow.tv is streaming the cricket all day/night so if you can't stay up after 3 days you can watch during hours suitable for you.
Maybe the ±«Óătv will not let this post through, but if you look hard enough you will find what you are looking for.
As for the Barmy Army I love em and see no harm in them attending cricket matches.
Complain about this postI quite agree with the article on the barmy army,
Complain about this postthe endless moronic chanting by the fans spoils the spectacle. Where an amount of singing and barracking is of course fun why must we brits always carry the joke to the nth degree.
have to say the aussie guy has a point. the barmy army are boorish and the songs are inane.
Complain about this postat the one day game v sri lanka at durham in the summer, i witnessed the barmy army at first hand. thankfully they were hedged off.
the singing really kicked of in the aftrenoon when the lager took effect.
for all the interest they showed in the cricket they might as well have been getting pissed 20 miles away.
the beauty of cricket is the variety of fans it attracts. there should be room for everybody. but i agree with the guy's points . these lads are lager louts with money.
all in all not an edifying sight
The comments by the adelaide journaslist are spot on.
You English are far to arrogant to think thats its acceptable to export your culture to other countries. This pack mentality,was also seen during the world cup in Germany, where I mght add, you were not "THE BEST SUPPORTERS". Go to spain in the summer, and you'll see what the archetyal 'brit abroad' is like. I feel sorry for the aussies for having no choice but to put up with a house guest that they difn't want and didn't even invite.
Mass drinking, yobbism, that is some of what the barmy army repersents, but also arogance, and cultural insensitivty.
And to think you English have the audacity to complain about Australians coming over to the UK? By and lage they're far more respectiful to all cultures than any brit that i have encountered abroad.
Complain about this postI'm a NZ'er living in the UK who gets to 3 or 4 england tests a summer. I find the antics of tha army generally amusing. I enjoy a few drinks at the cricket, sometimes a few too many. The barmy army - like them or not, are now a part of english cricketing culture. think Red and yellow ties after 5 pints of beer in the sun.
My grandfather says he loves the barmy army and every time he sees them on television he cackles with laughter at their antics. If he was at Brisbane or Egbaston or with his scorebook out trying to mark off the game I'm sure they would annoy the hell out of him!
The TV cameras cut away from the barmy army - If you're in the ground and sitting next to them and not in the spirit you have to put up with it all game.
Sooner or later I'm sure they will cause a problem somewhere - they drink too much not to avoid a bit of trouble but I have every confidence that they'll keep a lid on it. These are cricket fans after all and not cut from the same cloth as the segrated football fans. (I follow a championship football side home and away)
I was at NZ v AUS at the oval mentioned above and 70.JAMES misses the point - it was NZ + AUS fans VS the stadium staff in a 90 minute game of "bullrush" / "bulldogs" a popular school ground game - there was no violence between NZ and AUS. Several of my english friends still talk about the day. Heres a cricinfo story at this URL :
off topic - its good to see england getting back into gear - collingwood's doubters in the UK press seem to have gone all quiet and found something else to write about! well done KP and another ricky ponting ton. great stuff..
Complain about this postAh -poor "WA-WA's"
Complain about this postnot sure what a WA-WA is?
It's a "Wingeing Aussie, Wingeing Aussie"
They're so good at it - we named them twice!!
The 'Barmy' Army? The name highlights how sad these people are -charmingly eccentric people are not the ones going around telling people - 'I'm crazy I am'.
I'd bet the majority of BA members were rubbish at cricket (and sport in general) and the others johnny-come-latelys to supporting cricket i.e. 2005.
The BA represents a chance for them to gain some sort of attention for themselves at a major sporting event, forgetting the fact that they are not the attraction - the lads with talent out on the pitch are what 95% of the crowd have paid money to see.
There are plenty of boorish and tiresome Aussie supporters, but at least afterwards, they don't sanctimoniously claim that they are are 'witty' and 'entertaining'.
Let's not welcome this Trojan Horse for soccer hooliganism into the glorious game of cricket.
Complain about this postI couldn't agree more with the writer in The Advertiser. he's right - he "Barmy Army" is nothing but a bunch of drunken yobs.
I have been in grounds where they were present, and their repetitive chanting is a nuisance, and very wearing.
I have often heard them being complemented for being been well-behaved, and not getting involved in football-style brawls, as if we should somehow be grateful.
More power to cricket authorities for taking away their trumpets. If the authorities could take this further and ban the inane chanting, even better.
Complain about this postI dont think these newspapers should go as far as this, but I do have to admit that having to listen to the 'Everywhere we go' song lots and lots of times while at test matches here in England does get very annoying.
Complain about this postThe main reason the Australians complain about the Barmy army is that they fear it gives the English a competitive advantage. They have no qualms about sledging at the wicket, racially abusing foreign cricketers or fixing ticket availability to prevent large groups of English fans getting access to the matches.
It was clear after the last Ashes series in England that many of the Australian players felt that the crowd atmosphere in England had contributed to England's success. So much so that they tried to encourage a rather sad 'green and gold' army at Brisbane.
I'm sure none of the local businessmen in Adelaide are complaining about the increased revenues from alcohol sales, in restautants and hotels.
Complain about this postAs an Australian I would like to assure you that most of us believe the Barmy Army are great for cricket. Their songs are funny and they genuinely love cricket, and as 'Ed' noted, never stoop to disgraceful racist taunts.
But Ed, lay off our "(insert name here) is a w**ker" chant! We loved Nel, and we only bestow that on the ones we like. The lyrics aren't overly intelligent, but as the Army point out, we "can sing sod all!"
Complain about this postI'm sorry but I do not agree with the article. Like somebody else pointed out, The Aussies have been bang out of line with their chanting a few times. What they yelled at Si Jones when he did his knee in was out of order, calling Andre Nel a w**nker is about as funny as having your teeth removed with a baseball bat. The simple fact is that when the Aussies aren't winning, they moan about everything (Mr Warne included), The racist chants thrown at Monty prove that.
Come on Aussies, sort it out!
Complain about this postving gone to the brisbane test my conclusion is that why is the is the so called fanatics or the boon army botherd to turn up because we nether heard a single song from either set of fans all we got was aussie etc etc say no more
Complain about this postWhen visiting South Africa two years ago, I read letters in the local papers from people who couldn't speak highly enough of the barmy army (England were on tour at the time), one commenting that she was expecting yobbish behaviour to follow from the behaviour of some of our football fans abroad, but was completely taken aback by the excellent conduct displayed by the Engalns cricket fans. It's not the barmy army who are irresponsible, it's the Aussy press
Complain about this postWhat a half wit idiot he is.
The reason the Australians are a bunch of arrogant tossers is highlighted in this article.
Complain about this postWell he's right isn't he? Anyone who acts surprised or outraged must be insane or in denial. Singing at football is tribal and designed to bait opposition fans. It may not always be an overt invitation to a mass brawl but when alcohol is involved it only takes a match to light the touchpaper.
Complain about this post"We" patronise it because it's "our" fans but the barmy army are not out there for "us" - they are out there for themselves - after all, would they pay to travel and follow England in a sport they did not themselves support?
The barmy army impose their behaviour on you whether you like it or not, but 7 hours of incessant mindless braying can get to you - especially as you've paid to watch the cricket and not them. The West Indies fans in the seventies managed to be just as vociferous but without the inflaming ingredient of alcohol.
Several points here...
1/Australia is, despite it's larrikin, Crocodile Dundee image, a conservative country. As Ian Botham who played for Queensland in the 1980s and ended up overnight in a Perth clink, discovered. He was/is a larger than life character who found that Australia likes to cut down it's "tall poppies". As for the trumpeter at the Gabba, Queensland was a police state under Joh Bjelke-Petersen. I'm sure their boys in blue just loved the chance to flex their muscles again.
2/The Aussies only have 1 tune..."Aussie,aussie,aussie, oy,oy,oy". When the Barmy Army mock that,to quote Corporal Jones, "They don't like it up 'em"!
3/Vis-a-vis the Poms, same story...They only have 1 joke. "You're a bunch of whinging Poms and your team is useless". The Aussie idiot from Melbourne who is looking for a pretty English girl to serve him & his mates beer and pies at the MCG during that Test, in return for a free seat, deserves a come-uppance. I hope that she tips the last order of pies and beer for the day all over their heads and then walks off. We'll see what sort of sense of humour they have then.
4/I was at the England V Australia match in the 1992 World Cup at the SCG. This was a match which England won comprehensively. The England supporters (No Barmy Army then) were in full cry. Songs, flags, chants, the lot. The Aussies ,you could see, were just not used to that sort of thing and those who knew they had to exit the ground through that throng had looks which mixed apprehension and incomprehension on their faces!
5/I've sat on what used to be The Hill at the SCG. Incidentally it was for one of the finest one-dayers ever played; Australia v The Windies, New Years Day 1996. The Folks that sit on The Hill had virtually no interest in the cricket. They were far more interested in beer and pies and making a nuisance of themselves.
Complain about this postAustralians seem to have this false image of good-hearted, sport-loving, beer drinking, light-hearted people, who begrudgingly admit to liking the English. Not so.
I lived there for a while and saw England play Australia in a 1-day match a few years ago.
I went to the bar during the match, and was horrified to see a huge group of drunken australians singing, "Is rather be a Paki than a Pom". Not one of the police officers there flinched.
Imagine that happening over here at a sports event? It couldn't happen, the culprits would be arrested!
Australia is 20 years behind the rest of the world and always will be.
Complain about this postThe Ashes is about cricket played on the pitch not side issues about the crowd. No.16 said, "watch the game and grow up." Well I agree, it's just that the years of boorish singing and chanting have taken away from many followers of the game the ability to watch it in a relaxed as opposed to noisy and sometimes confrontational way. I have not witnessed fighting, I don't think the vast majority of the Barmy Army are hooligans and I do think most of them are committed followers. The loud continuous chanting however does very much impact on how many people enjoy watching the game. Even people who cannot attend games, often receive apologies from commentators for the noise.
Complain about this postIt's really the difference between people who believe in having a good time and staying sober and people who feel getting plastered adds to their enjoyment and naturally are unaware that it spoils, in this case, the game for others.
It is possibly generational to an extent, I certainly don't believe that it is an England v Australia thing. Again this simply deflects from the cricket, the Barmy Army have not been about for most of the last 130 years!
I no longer attend games at Headingley or Old Trafford as the abuse that is directed at players is very vulgar and tiresome. At Headingley (Western Terrace) I heard Shane Warne, the greatest spinner of his, or any other time, taking revolting comments all day long. Ironically I had an opened bottle of apple juice taken off me when entering the ground, but could drink as many pints as I wanted in it. The authorities are driven by the money god. In England, when Australia were here I think only the Lord's match put a ban on horns etc I am glad they did. I really can't enjoy cricket in this 'atmosphere." This is not how I want to appreciate greatness. It is not as an Englishman, how I want to be represented.
As to the cricket, what an awful pitch!
complaining about OUR behaviour...take a look in the mirror id say. what was that...being racist to monty?...being vocal to freddie? i think thats a lot worse to be honest with you.
Complain about this postI tend to agree with Mr Bantick. My most recent experience of Test cricket was at Headingley last year, where the behaviour of spectators in the West stand gradually changed from good-natured banter through increasingly puerile antics to moronic and yobbish chanting and taunting. It comes as no surprise that all of this was in direct correlation with the amount of beer consumed. Watching some of the worst offenders, I could see no difference from the kind of football fan that gives England such a bad name abroad. These people also showed very little interest in the game, choosing to completely ignore a supreme exhibition of batting fron Younis and Yousuf. Does this drink-fuelled behaviour lead to fighting? Well, there was a fight on the bus back into Leeds and the police had to be called, so perhaps it does.
Complain about this postNice article Scott, well balanced.
I live in Adelaide but am a passionate pom supporting the mighty hammers and Freddie's boys.
All of my aussie friends love the barmy army and are envious that there is no aussie equivalent, not just in cricket but in any aussie sport.
Adelaide's biggest passion is aussie rules, with two better than average sides sharing the same stadium. They have a rivallry on a parallel with the two Milan sides or Tottenham vs Arsenal (bad luck Dad) but the passion the fans display away from the ground has never crossed over to any kind of atmosphere at the matches. I was lucky enough to attend one of the Adelaide Crows finals games this season and despite the whole season hanging on the result there still was no singing, not a lot of encouragement and an atmosphere that didn't get close to a typical premiership game at the Boleyn.
My conclusion? The guy from the Advertiser is a combination of stuffed shirt and green with envy.
Complain about this postCourse the fact that we've bossed the first 3 days didn't help...
Although an Anglo/Taff, I have lived in Brisbane for quite some time. The biggest problem Aussies have is that they basically have no originality, and anything they do not have or was not thought up by them is never any good. Similarly with any products, if they cannot afford them, they will find fault with them. I have witnessed the Barmy Army on their last two tours and they have been terrific, particularly at the Gabba recently, when the team's performance was pathetic. I say this to any Brit who reads Aussie papers or watches their TV, take ill-informed comments with a pich of salt, most Auusie comments come from the back of the throat, not from the brain.
Complain about this postI'm a resident Pom in Adelaide and just got back from the 3rd day at the oval. 2 things...the Advertiser is a sorry rag of a newspaper and all the Aussies I know wish the Barmy Army would sing louder!
Complain about this postLove them or hate them the Barmy Army, i feel, have a crucial role to play in this test series and many other tours.
In a stadium mostly full of Australian cricket fans stubbornly refusing to sing it is these english fans who you can hear and help generate some atmosphere. I've heard them on the radio coverage so i'm certain the players can hear them aswell. This means that despite being huge difference in numbers of fans the england players can hear fans vocally supporting them at that MUST be a significant lift for them after, for example chasing leather for a whole afternoon session as Ponting nad Hussey pile on the runs.
Also on the subject of singing i didn't hear anyone complaigning about the whole ground singing Jerusalem last time round.
As for the possible violence mentioned in some of the other comments, you can't throw someone out of a cricket ground for being noisey and potenially maybe causing someone to be violent. Unfortunately you needto wait for it to happen, unless that is you can tell the future.
Complain about this postMr Bantick is quite right. Having had my day at the Test Match at Old Trafford last year totally ruined by finding that my seat was almost in their midst and having been forced to listen at close quarters to their mindless chanting, I would ban them from any cricket gound and try to restore to the spectator some of the lost pleasures of watching the game.
Complain about this postThose have always included the ability to concentrate on what is happening on the pitch without having all the surrounding spectators standing, blocking the view of the match and behaving with drunken boorishness. The encouragement of this behaviour by the media is also ubfortunate.
would you lot get something new to complain about rather than keep bringing up the fact that some goose made a racist comment about monty? are you that ignorant to believe that that reflects the behaviour of all aussies??? you make it sound like no englishman has EVER made a racist comment about anyone.
Complain about this postheres a tip for your precious collective self esteem - 99% of beer swilling cricket loving aussies like myself LOVE the barmy army and love trading songs/insults/beers with them, all in good fun.
so would everyone (Paul Tonks, Jack Byrnes etc..) do everyone a favour a get a life!!! you are reflecting poorly on your own countrymen by making such ill informed pathetic comments and reinforcing the stereotype of the "whinging pom"
great article. it is borderline in truth. many of the reasons people go to cricket are to escape to the madding crowds of football and enjoyed a different kind of sport in a different atmosphere.
however, to be criticised by australians for that kind of behaviour is slightly rich, since we know all too welll that if we sat there quietly with our arms folded, the article would read "englands fans have no passion"
Complain about this postI admire there dedication and support, but surely they need tolearn to sing/shout something other than "barmy army" over again and again all day.
Complain about this postI've been to a great many cricket games and there have always been fans cheering, jeering, shouting and drinking. Some of the cricketers get abuse and in some cases it has been racist.
The Barmy Army are just more organised than a few blokes having a few beers and have a collective name. This makes them an easy target, rather than just saying all English fans. I have not heard any racist chants from them either, in fact their organisation means they are more likely to stay within the boundaries of reasonable behaviour as there is much more accountability. Everyone there wants to watch the cricket, be a part of the atmosphere and most of all support and help their team. I think the England players do gain from this very vocal support.
These days anyone who can watch a game live can also the cricket on television (the cost of satellite argument is hard to justify when you consider the cost of tickets). The main difference is to be able to enjoy the atmosphere and the cameraderie of other fans. If you don't like the singing and want to watch it in peace then stay at home and watch it on television.
Complain about this postmichelle in florida - i am a brit overseas as well, living in spain. you're right, coverage is hard to find but you can watch the live sky feed in good quality if you have a good connection. go to www.cricketon.tv, it costs $30US per test match.
Complain about this post1) The "Barmy Army" can't be interested in the game of cricket, otherwise they would spend less time pouring larger down their throats and chanting mindless slogans. I support the view that these "soldiers" have more money than sense and that they do not show proper respect to their Australian hosts.
Complain about this post2) The Barmy Army is not typical of, or representative of, England in any way. The vast majority of spectators from both countries pay good money to watch the cricket and yet, have to endure this racket all day. Same for the ±«Óătv's listeners: the barmy army does nothing to enhance my enjoyment when trying to follow the match on the radio - could the ±«Óătv just tone down the effects microphone?
3) Bloggers should not confuse unfettered "support for England" with love of cricket nor confuse chauvanism with patriotism. The wearing of St. George's cross on your underpants and chanting "barmy-army" all day is not the sign of a true patriot. If this army wants to do us all a big favour then I suggest that they stop off in Afghanistan or Iraq on the way home, go to the front line, and give our real army and me a well earned rest.
A bit rich coming from one of the most insecure and racist nation on earth....
Complain about this postI have been at the MCG and the SCG and witnessed more than my fair shair of crowd trouble including racist chanting and bottles and coins thrown at West Indies players and also Murili and south africans.
You need to get into the real world.
If you feel upset that the English fans are able to lift its team to victory then shows how sad you really are.
take your blinkers off, walk around English grounds at the height of a test match, then an Ozy grounds and you will see a few things that might open your eyes, though you Ozy fans open you eyes and just see green and gold, oh, and white skin!
Unfortunately I haven't been able to watch 'live' coverage of the series because I resent the fact that to do so would swell Mr Murdoch's coffers even more - but that is whole different argument.
From the ±«Óătv evening highlights, I have noticed that vast numbers of the Australian supporters seem to have adopted something from English soccer home fans. When the English batsmen are scoring boundaries and hitting Warne, McGrath etc around the ground, there is very little applause.
At soccer matches in England, home supporters would never applaud an away goal however brilliant it might be.
I may be wrong about this accusation but there appear to be an awful lot of gold and green shirted 'blokes' with their arms tightly folded or perhaps it's a bit difficult to clap with a beer in your hands !
Test matches in England see the home supporters applauding the visitors even when it probably hurts to do so.
Interestingly, the Australian team do congratulate a high individual innings and seem to subscribe to the play hard but fair ethics of the game.
The Aussie press has a lot to answer for in this, as they whip up strong anti Pommie frenzy - a bit like The Sun here in Britain - but there I go again about Mr Murdoch.
Complain about this postWhat does the Barmy Army stand for? Fervent, vociferous support. The determination to have fun no matter what (with lager added for good measure). A love of cricket. In such a crucial series for their team, are not some Australians - including the journalist you mention - just feeling a little undermined by another country's fans out Australia-ing them?
Complain about this postWhilst this argument swings back and forth (unlike any australian wicket) we would do well to remind ourselves of the spectating rules at Lord's - ''The ±«Óătv of Cricket''. For whilst our sympathies are with the be-trumpeted outlaw, he would never have been allowed in the ground to begin with. Neither would any of his pals who wanted to carry flags, banners, standup, move during play or indeed, wear sandals near the posh end.
This may be a tad exagerated, but no surprises the barmy army want to be in full voice, wave some flags and support their team, because back home, they are all too often restricted from doing so! Besides, what would the Oz press be saying if the English supporters simply read the Telegraph during the morning's play and slept during the afternoon like they do in many of the members-only sections - and they say our batting is boring!
Complain about this postIn 1976 when the West Indies came over to England to play cricket (and admittedly thrashed us), our very reserved "cucumber sandwiches and gentle clapping" method of supporting our team was a stark contrast to what we considered the rowdy and unseemly behaviour of the opposition supporters (i.e. singing, dancing, playing instruments etc.). How times have changed . . .
Complain about this posti wouldnt bother about Banyick and his like .have fun guys .support you team. stay friendly
Complain about this postfrom an aussie in england
"How boring would it be if everyone just sat there?"
Yes, terrible, you'd have to sit and watch the two best teams in the world giving their all in the sort of tense, tactical struggle that makes Test cricket uniquely subtle and exciting.
As for good-hearted fun, how is sitting next to someone chanting 'Barmy army, barmy army' for hours on end enjoyable? I agree with the smoking analogy, if they're chanting then everyone else has to suffer it.
At the end of last year's Edgbaston Test, the Barmy Army chanted 'you're not singing any more' at the Aussies.
Given the state of the series, it was probably the greatest end to a match in years, Flintoff showed his sportsmanship by consoling Lee and all the BA can do is taunt the opposition.
It shows they neither know nor care anything for cricket.
I don't know why we're all wasting our time writing about this irrelevant bunch, we're just giving them the attention they so clearly crave.
Complain about this postI'm afraid I agree with the Australian journalist. I am a season ticket holder at a premiership (well for this season, anyway!) football club, yet I find this drink-fuelled boorishness offensive at cricket matches. At Trent Bridge this summer I was able to "enjoy" the "good natured" behaviour of several hundred drunks baiting the stewards, throwing inflatables around, climbing onto walls, falling off, risking injury to those below, and genarally showing no interest in what was an absorbing test match. I don't really see why I should have to struggle to concentrate on an intriguing game against a backdrop of drunken behaviour and inane chanting. Those who say "they're just having a bit of fun" are missing the point. Although this will come as a surprise to many in the Barmy Army, there is more to life than getting drunk. The fact that Aussie fans also get drunk and offensive periodically does not justify the behaviour.
Complain about this postOnly a matter of time before a major fight breaks out if barmy army dont stick to their roots of good well behaved fun, loutish element definitely emerging
Complain about this postst george - another vacuous cliche inspired post, typical of these parts, every bit as bad as the unwashed class obsessed effette pom image you will see similarly ill informed aussies banging on about
As somewhat of a world citizen, having spent much of my adult life in london, hk, singapore, tokyo and sydney, and can tell you the aust culture is an extremely rich, energetic and diverse one
The guy wrote the article to sell newspapers; if you want to reflect on hypocrisy, read your own tabloids
Complain about this postwhat a load of twaddle....violence at a cricket match, has the journalist from the advertiser ever even been to a cricket match? and i belive all this chanting at cricket business was started by the australians in the 90's (ozzy ozzy ozzy...oi oi oi???). Typical australians they werent bothered during the first test...they thought it was a bit of good fun having the barmy army chanting and singing....now they are getting a bit of stick on the field they dont like it.....put yout toys back in the pram australia...whatever next....they will complaingin about the 12th man fielding. ;-)
Complain about this postI have serious grievances with the barmy army and that fool who runs around in that stupid top hat inciting them. Embarrassment is too soft a word to describe him. Why don't you get a life, stop running around, actually watch the game and realise that no matter how drunk you get at however number of tests... you're still going home alone that evening.
Complain about this postI agree with some of the comments here.
When the Barmy Army came to the West Indies,
They took over ,it's not that I did not want them here
but I found that I could not enjoy the cricket with all
the loud singing and other antics, they do get out of
control, perhaps they could tone it down a bit after
all they are not the only ones paying.
Complain about this postSo far there have been 2 accusations that the BA try to wind-up the Australian fans with the intent of starting violent trouble. And how are they meant to be doing this? By calling them 'convicts'.
Well, you say 'pom'. I say 'convict'. They mean the EXACT same thing, and it has been approved by Cricket Australia as A-OK; not racist; not offensive.
But of course Cricket Australia's top official, James Sutherland, also thinks it is OK to call Monty a 'stupid Indian'.
Complain about this postHaving to listen to broad and common local accents from drunken yobs following our 2005 Ashes win was nothing but an utter disgrace. English cricket has no place for the likes of Flintoff, Vaughan and Harmison.
The atmosphere at cricket was rowdy enough for me with having to listen to the incessant snoring and dribbling of old and overweight men, punctuated by the totally unnecessary ripple of appluase that greeted a six.
There can never be a place for fun and working class people in cricket. What's next, pies and burgers on sale in the grounds?
Complain about this postI quite agree with the Australian commentator's views of the so-called barmy army. Having had to endure their boorish behaviour in Barbados in 2004 when they were more interested in taunting the West Indians and breaking seats than appreciating England's excellent cricket I can only hope that, one day, they will grow up. What these singularly unfunny yobs perhaps don't realise is that they are ruining the occasion for the rest of the spectators.
Complain about this postI've been to Bris, Adel (and Syd in between)and have encountered the barmy army mixing with the locals in all 3 locations. (Quite what some were doing in Sydney at this point im not sure). All i ever saw was good natured bantering between both sets of supporters and nothing whatsoever that reflected the ill feeling you would assume from reading articles such as these, and posts here, which obviously reflect prejudices and misconceptions on both sides.
To everyone in the UK - you would actually find us a very welcoming and friendly people who love the banter and spirit between 2 historically bound nations that only and ashes series can provide. Yes there are idiots that spoil this perception, but these are in a tiny minority
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army are not, never have been, violent. Whilst they may be a bit drunken and a bit noisy, they go about things with a sense of fun and humour. To associate them with violence is ignorant and unfair. They are not like the darker elements of football supporters. Years of one-sided Ashes contests have made them a group determined to enjoy the experience no matter what. They should be embraced. As for being a herd, shouldn't those who purport to be "supporters" actually be in some sense united in supporting their team. Before the Aussies start getting on their high horse, they should sort out the disgraceful verbal abuse and racism their supporters dole out to visiting teams. I am not a "member" of the Barmy Army, but when I've been to England test matches, they have definitely been an asset. It's interesting that this criticism of the Barmy Army is coming out only now that the England team has actually beaten the Aussies in a preceding series and have some small chance of doing so again.
Complain about this postI was pretty embarresed when I heard that they kicked the bloke with the horn out. As long as it's all in good fun I think the Barmy Army a good for cricket. As far as I am concerned you are all welcome over here.
Complain about this postI was pretty embarresed when I heard that they kicked the bloke with the horn out. As long as it's all in good fun I think the Barmy Army a good for cricket. As far as I am concerned you are all welcome over here.
Complain about this postAustralians never sing? Brits sing too much? ....well both end of the spectrum beat the awful USA chant of "Lets go Yankees," "Lets go Red Sox" etc.
Complain about this postThis is hilarious!
I thought it was supposed to be the poms who whinge?!!!
Complain about this postThe Australians are clever. They spend the whole time whinging so they call the brits whingers. They are renowned bad loosers and even worse winners, but they whinge on about about how every one else are bad loosers. They certainly also have the world's worst, most drunken, obscene, one eyed and ignorant cricket followers. So to them the Barmy Army are a godsend, because now they can whinge on about how bad the pommie supporters are and feel good amongst themselves, a rare feeling for ones with such huge chips on their shoulders and such a huge culural inferiority complex. The cultural cringe still rules in the land of Oz!
Complain about this postWe're going to be singing so loud the aussies will hear us in adelaide - supporting cricket is best when it is an expression of passion, for five days adeliade is a theather everyone at the ground are actors control it too much and the story will be ruined
Complain about this postMr Bantick is neither a South Australian (see his blogger profile at nor, I suspect, a real cricket lover, just a freelance journo who's managed to get one of his late night rants published.
The Barmy Army have been very well behaved during the Adelaide Test. Most of them stand up all day from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, and those underneath the big replay screen have to put up with the excessive noise of commercials which are played during intervals. Fortunately the match is being played during a brief period of cooler weather so they probably don't feel the need to drink as much as usual.
I've no doubt that for the moment most Australians appreciate the enthusiasm that the BA bring to the games, however if England do win a game or two that might change.
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army's mantra is "to make watching and playing cricket more fun and much more popular".
They achieve this without being offensive and violent. Where's the problem? Sure, there are different types of people who go to cricket (as with any sporting event).
Is it not possible that people can go to an event and enjoy it in any way they wish? The pre-Barmy Army brigade are only being elitist.
Complain about this postIn every australian international cricket game I'm been to the racist drunken chanting is rife (not politically incorrect as they would like us to believe).
Complain about this postPart of the joy of cricket is actually HEARING it.
Complain about this postYou know, leather on willow, snicks, appeals,
the rattle of stumps and perhaps the sublime
quiet interludes. The barmy army comprehensively
kills all that, and damn you if you disagree.
It's their never-ending circus whether you like it or not.
They DON'T have that right.
I agree with the Australian journalist. The adjectives I would use are : Silly; boring;immature; selfish;attention seeking; and most undesirable as next door neighbours. To sum up ; Refugees from ASBO`s.The sad thing is the will come back to the UK.
Complain about this postWell The Barmy Army bring some extra fun to the oval, their songs are all in good fun!
Complain about this postThe Aussies have welcomed them but just this one newspaper has not.
But I must say these songs are in no way offensive or provocative so I have no problems at all with them and they lead to violence? what violence?
I was at the Australia V South Africa test in Perth earlier this year and the Aussie fans disgusted me with their rampant racist comments, they should just enjoy the moment with honor after all this is the Gentlemans Game.
Along with one of the previous posts about aussie fan behaviour, not only did they laugh at simon jones and taunt him on the last ashes tour, they have been racist consitantly towards south africans and english players throughout recent tours, to call the barmy army arrogant is hypocritical
Complain about this postHi,
Complain about this postwhile i agree that singing is part of a 90min football match, 5 days is far too much. Even watching at home the chanting becomes irrating. the idea that the Barmy Army are entertaining is false. They are nothing more than a bunch of drunken yobbos, who flaunt their flag, it is English patriotism at its worse.
An attempt to reclaim the empire, and lord it over the Aussies.
Hi,
Complain about this postwhile i agree that singing is part of a 90min football match, 5 days is far too much. Even watching at home the chanting becomes irrating. the idea that the Barmy Army are entertaining is false. They are nothing more than a bunch of drunken yobbos, who flaunt their flag, it is English patriotism at its worse.
An attempt to reclaim the empire, and lord it over the Aussies.
What a hoot!
The Aussies can't take a dose of their own poison???
Not so tough when the going gets tough!
Complain about this postSo a local newspaper stirs the pot for circulation interests? C'mon! The Barmy Army may irritate Australians or even fellow English - but what's that got to do with the good old-fashioned Ashes cricket we saw today? England fights back ... the Aussies know they have a series "on". Isn't that the whole point?
Complain about this postAs the aussies begin to lose, they will always call upon whatever means necessary to help a win. This may soundlike calling the Aussies bad sports - well, I am. individually, they seem very laid back but as the mob, they can never take defeat graciously.
Look at recent hammering defeat to Ireland (in Rugby). The official statement there was that it was totally due to "the conditions". Remember the Rugby World cup 03? Aussie fans shouting, singing and jeering outside the England hotel all night to ensure they didn't sleep before the day of the final?
As for the media, I imagine the Barmy Army is last place to attack - Day 1 - England score well - criticised for being boring. Day 2 - score really well - groundsman criticised for the pitch being "too good for batting". Day 3 - bowl well - errr.... let's get at the barmy army. Logically, that must be the only reason...
Complain about this postThe article writer is correct when he says that the BA is not to everyones taste or the ideal companion at any sporting event,let alone a cricket match.
Complain about this postBut that does not mean that the BA have not got every right to be there,so long as they do not cross the line on racial chants etc.
What is borish behaviour?Test match arena's are full of hooray henry types swigging champers,corporate entertainment tents full of people who hardly see a ball bowled or member enclosures and bars full of old farts,with horid coloured ties and deafening snoring.!!
So is the objection to the BA the fact that it is full of "Joe Bloggs" ?
The Australian outlook is generally very conservative and staid. They do not like change and they are creatures of habit.How could they take on board something like the BA ?
The general Aussie likes to dish it out to others and rub the faces of their opponents deep in the dust.The Ricky Ponting outlook if you like.A win at all cost attitude.So anything that challenges that,is a threat,so you get the reponse of the article writer, who protests loudly and churlishly.
I'm a Portsmouth-born English guy, but live in Sydney now and you know what, this reeks of Australian sports reporting. These guys have their heads stuck up their own behinds when it comes to writing.
They talk about violence and yobbish crowds, just look at what went down at Cronulla beach last year; now that wasn't the 'yob' culture of anything. They need to take a look in the mirror, they call us holligans, when they're just as bad, if not worse because their attacks are racially motivated.
Complain about this postOk didn't read all the comments but have now ... Alex in Hong Kong got it spot on. And Jeremy Champion (lol) in Adelaide, er, Christopher Bantick is a freelancer for any controversary (lol).
Complain about this postOk didn't read all the comments but have now ... Alex in Hong Kong got it spot on. And Jeremy Champion (lol) in Adelaide, er, Christopher Bantick is a freelancer for any controversary (lol).
Complain about this postTypical Oz moan when they are not recognised as the supreme beings on the planet. They love to dish it out but can't take it.
Complain about this postBarmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army, ..........Ba
Mr Heinrich,
Why is this article really of interest, other than to provoke negativism in the direction of the Australian opposition? This indirect incitement is of no more value than that set by your fellow Aussie hack's article that you so deride.
Banter (i.e. sledging), singing (i.e. the Haka) and displays of alcohol-encouraged aggression (i.e. W.G.Grace, Boon etc) has historically been the signature of sporting tribalism that fuels and aids the partisan athlete through a head-to-head battle. Is there really a difference in mindset between England and Australian supporters when going into combat?
The Barmy Army (as with The Fanatics) collectively embody these attributes. It's perhaps conceivable that they don't even know why they are doing it, but are just compelled to do so through primal means? Let's face it, it's always happened and probably always will, but manifested in less/more acceptable ways depending on the accompanying supporter.
I'm not sure what your brief is Mr Heinrich, but it would be great to know what Hoggie had for dinner tonight after his 4-for, how Monty deals with not being picked, how they live together (who rooms with Monty etc) and how Farmer is trying to live with potentially blowing the Ashes for England.
What the Aussie red-tops say is barely of interest when it is easy to find out all that rubbish online, should that option be so chosen. This news was old news anyway.
Complain about this postThe difference in culture is just as much present in England. Not everyone enjoys the noise, latent threat and overt sexism of the goons in the cheap seats. It's a bit like the 'good-natured' occupation of foreign town squares by football fans, who barrack, shout and litter and then wonder why the locals get riled. It's tedious and pathetic.
Complain about this postIt is sad to see so many comments along the lines of "Aussies are racist" or "hard drinking would fit in with Aussies". Do those of you making such comments not see the terrible irony of someone saying All people from *insert-country-here* are racist?
Now, there is an Aussie equivalent to the Barmy Army, called The Fanatics, which started out as a group who would sing songs and chants at Davis Cup events. More recently they've started doing other sporting events as well. I once joined The Fanatics for a Davis Cup weekend in Adelaide a few years ago, and had a lot of fun. From my observations, there were a couple of major differences between them and the Barmy Army:
Having said all of that, I don't have a major problem with the Barmy Army, and I suspect that most Aussies don't either. It does get tiring listening to the same songs all afternoon, though. They were funny the first time in the morning while in tune; the tenth time, sounding decidedly shakier but just as lound as ever gets a bit much. There's usually a lovely, relaxed atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval when a test is on. Yes, there are drunk guys on the hill having had too much West End, but they don't really interfere with anyone else's watching of the game. I didn't make it to the test this year (being, ironically, in London atm), but I hope that that normal atmosphere hasn't been destroyed for the other fans by the Army.
One other point for the interested Brit: there hasn't really been a culture of singing songs at sporting events in Australia. My speculation is that that culture in Europe came about from football fans. The popular football codes in Australia, though, are much faster and don't have the long periods between scoring that football does. This is particularly true of Aussie Rules. So Aussies never needed to sing songs or heckle the other fans to stop getting bored: the game was interesting and you got enough to cheer about on its own.
Complain about this postThe Barmy army are harmless, even if a tad moronic for the middle-class, pseudo-intellectual constituency which has recently pervaded cricket!
However more seriously, they are a direct reflection of the boorish arrogance of the 'Brits', whoever they are.....never has a 'national team' been so diluted!
Complain about this postWhat a load of tripe. Aussies with money are everywhere in London and are equally obnoxious, its just a big playground for them to run riot every weekend. I say let the Barmy Army have its fun.
Complain about this postI like how the editorial of a single journalist must of course represent the views of all 20 million Australians. Of course there are a few people who agree with him, but you'd be surprised at how many don't. Most agree the Barmy Army adds atmosphere to the game.
Complain about this postHi thirdlion and other exiles. I am in Madrid and after extensive searching I managed to find free ball by ball coverage via the internet. Follow this link and enjoy our boys retaining the ashes!!
I personally think that the barmy army are brilliant. Our players have suffered some serious barracking in Oz for years...the Army are boisterous yes, like a drink, yes, whats the differencde between them and the Aussie fans...they know more songs..They are jealous because they only have Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi oi!
Complain about this postAlthough I live in Australia, I have seen many a test match around the world including countries such as South Africa, India, England, Australia and New Zealand. Nowhere even came close to the rudeness one encounters in Australian grounds. Foul language is uttered at anyone and everyone who is not suppotying the Aussies and racism is the norm, not the exception- just ask but a few of the countries who have recently toured.
Having seen the Barmy Army both here (Oz), in England and in South Africa, I must say there antics are very much in stark contrast to that of the Australians. They have fun and enjoy themselves, but the banter is always witty (a bit unlike so and so is a w*nker) and they support their team in the right sprirt. The author of this article clearly hasn't been to a cricket game in Australia for quite a while now.
By the way, I am neither an English nor an Aussie supporter- this is just what I have seen firsthand on many occasions.
Complain about this postConsidering Australians fondness for describing us as whinging they don't half like a good old moan themselves. In typically arrogant fashion they just don't like it up them which in this case extends to us enjoying cricket how we want not how they want us to. I doubt the grounds/bars in general are complaining about the bar takings!
Complain about this postWell done the BARMY ARMY !!!!!
Complain about this postJust like being at a home game Australian's want to get into the sprit of things and join in sitting there glum faced
COME ON THE ENGLAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wish i was there
Just a message for the England supporters blatantly still trapped in the 1920's. come on, cheer up for gods sake, take the sticks out of your arses and actually smile a little. who wants to watch cricket or any sport what-so-ever in complete silence you sad men. The fans aren't a disgrace to England, you are. Just stay at home, drink your port, watch your cricket and then go to bed at a nice leisurely hour after a mug of cocoa and don't worry about these nasty shameful men. *hugs*
Complain about this postMarc
I'm an Englishman who is not particularly fond of the Barmy Army, finding their monotonous chanting boring and intrusive. However, having been to many cricket matches in Australia, I really can't see how any Australian can object to the behaviour of the Army. Their own fans are childish and boorish beyond belief - activities such as throwing around blown up balls, rings, kangaroos, women and even inflated paddling pools is surely more worthy of criticism than a bit of chanting. Those Aussie reporters should get a life and stop moaning just because they aren't whupping the Poms!
Complain about this postI joined the ranks of the barmy army in Cape Town, where they surely have the best approach to looking after fans at test cricket in the world. We were free to roam the ground, chat to local fans, and congregate and sing our hearts out in the sun, if thats what we felt like doing.
Complain about this post90% of the barmy army had more insight into the game and love for it than the old men i see sleeping at Lords, tanked up on pimms and fine wine.
The songs were witty and not abusive, just leg pulling, my favourite being the song directed at Graeme Smith after he'd pulled the players off for bad light in the previous test, "ooh you're gonna get the sack, ooh we want pollock back, 8 wickets down and you pull them off, bad bad light light bag of shite". Ok, this isn't a classic, and maybe you had to be there, but the local fans/radio loved it! Even the South African players had a smile.
I hope the lads out in Oz aren't being provocative, and i would guess they aren't, just stop moaning and enjoy the cricket! A family area on the other side of the ground would be easy to organise for the more prudish/those with young kids. There were families in singing their hearts out with us in Cape Town tho. BARMY ARMY!!
Having been on previous Tours and enjoying the banter with the locals it only seems in Australia is there ever a mention of problems arising with the Barmy Army.
Complain about this postYes the constant singing can become grating but in some places they are welcomed with open arms and a constant source of amazement. Especially in Sri Lanka where the locals spend more time looking at the all-singing, all-drinking funny Englishmen than watching the cricket.
I love going to Australia and the people are some of the friendliest on the planet but to compare the Barmy Army to football hooligans is wide of the mark.
I have rarely witnessed any crowd trouble at any of the many cricket matches I have attended watching England but my first taste of Aussie cricket fans was when they were throwing frozen turkey legs at Brian McMillan during a game at the MCG!
The banter between the regular England and Aussie fans is normally very funny and very rarely contains any malice.
The Press in Australia would be as much to blame as anybody for starting any trouble between rival fans.
Let's hope for a good series including the odd trumpet solo from the sunburnt England section and the usual beer sharing with our Aussie mates.
Oh...my...god...what a sad bunch of people there on this board. I think i read 'watch cricket in harmony', haha thats hilarious, the Barmy Army are great, i have been on several tours with them, couldn't get down under this time though, oh and by the way, i hate going to football matches. To compare us to the hooligans from football is an insult, when we're losing we sing and get loud to try and encourage England, we don't tear the ground apart and throw chairs at opposition fans.
It's no cooincidence that Englands best records are at edgbaston and Headingly- the most vocal grounds, in comparison to Lords which is more full of boring old men trying to puff their pipes and enjoy the cricket in harmony while sipping on champaigne.
The Barmy Army are here to stay! this post is aimed mostly at englishman begrudging teh Barmy Army because i'm disappointed in you, the Aussies are a hostile bunch, i believe we create an atmosphere that helps them alot, they wave to us when getting their hundreds of 5 wicketers more than any other place in the ground. Everywhere we go..
Complain about this postAs someone heading out to Perth to cheer on England, im hoping to experience a great atmosphere with boorish behaviour confined to a few idiots on either side. As an Englishman I would be the first to admit we have a problem with a significant minority of our own who show no respect for themselves or others, and the rest of us have a problem insomuch as we tolerate it. But some people seem to be affronted by the idea of the Barmy Army in itself and thats small minded - as long as it behaves then there should be no problem, after all its earned the right having done so through all those years in the wilderness. Now that demonstrates qualities of humour and patience! I suspect that part of the problem is that the Aussies dont appreciate our indiscriminate sense of humour, but i wonder whether that isnt better than their discriminating one. In any event, the real point is that the Army helps the team to win - 2005 was a case in point and dont forget the role of the 2003 RWC crowds. After years of taking stick when we were losing from Aussies, often good natured but always relentless, and politely ignoring outspoken and graceless criticism of our fine country, I see no reason not to give it back as long as we do it with humour and grace. Everyone knows the Aussies cant see beyond their own sense of superiority so perhaps we can help them get over it. So come on, support the team but do it with grace and style.
Complain about this postHow typical of the Australians. They have doctored the pitches so as to not allow the English bowlers to perform to their capacity and now they find the singing of a bunch of dedicated supporters 'offensive'. No one in Australia ever passes any comments about the offensive 'Pom bashing' that continually perpetuates any English tour of any sort Down Under. There's even a computer game aimed at bashing as many 'Poms' as possible. We all know how passionate the Australians are about their sporting sides but it is not our fault that they don't support their teams with the same style and passion as a travelling set of England fans. Singing does not lend itself to hooliganism as the ridiculous comments of Mr Bantick suggest.
Complain about this postThe Aussies are scared stiff that not only will they not regain the Ashes but their own set of supporters will be 'outplayed' in their own backyard by the travelling hoards of English 'hooligans' that have invaded their shores. (Has anyone complained about the amount of money these hooligans are pouring into the local economies?)
Come on England, come on the Barmy Army
I hate the Barmy Army and agree with everything Bantick says. It's not just the Barmy Army though...I had the misfortune to be at the 4th day of the Old Trafford test last year and was surrounded by drunken idiots shouting, swearing and generally behaving like.....yobs! I much prefer the Ozzie crouds and their more civilised and apprecaitive manner.
Ban the Barmy Army.......Ban the drunken English football yobs too!!
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army put one of my friends from ever wanting to go to a cricket match again. The racist chants at Edgbaston aimed at the Pakistani team plus the foul person abuse aimed at those trying to calm them down was disgusting. Patriotic or a p***ed up yobs......the latter for sure who seem to think that because you are in fancy dress, course crude behaviour is OK.
Complain about this postFor the love of god get a sense of humour on both sides (Aussies and the Milton Keynes-esque whingers),I'm staying up all night watching Sky coverage with TMS comments on laptop at uni.At least the barmy army provide entertainment during the increasingly dull partnerships/tactics.They attract young fans, like myself, and to be part of it (as I was at OT against the West Indies a while ago) was fun and made me want to go back. If you don't like them sit somewhere else or turn your sound off,also they blatantly help our players so get a grip and go have a pint or six.
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army has been a god send for cricket. If it wasn't for their enthusiasm, and good natured banter test match cricket would be on the way out. Crowds would be nothing more than retired people with nothing to do. At least the atmosphere has picked up. I'm not surprised the Aussie media is having a go at the moment, they start whining the minute things start getting tough. And anybody that has been to a sporting event in Australia will know what lager filled, loutish, racist and violent crowd behaviour is. Australian supporters are some of the worst on the planet! The Barmy Army will sing come hell or high water, and are an example of true supporters. Those that don't like it can stay at home and watch the action on the TV.
Complain about this postPoor old bantick. It warms my cockles to hear him gripe about the barmy army. So a bit of good humoured singing and chanting gets under his skin, good. It's not nearly as detrimental to the game as sledging aussie style which is so much close to unsporting behaviour.
Complain about this postcarry on barmy, up the aussies.
If Bantick thinks we are a bad influence to the game, then maybe he should sample the West Indians in Barbados or Jamaica. He would be devastated. The Barmy army and the Windies enjoy the atmosphere, on and off the pitch. It is a party, win or lose.
Complain about this postI'm English and had the privilege of being at The Oval on the last day in 2005. An historic, amazing day was nearly ruined for me by the incessant taunting of nearby Australian fans by certain (not all) members of the barmy army.
On that ocassion the Australians were OUR guests and I was ashamed and disgusted by the behaviour of this small but vocal minority. It was nasty and aggressive - beyond mere banter - and when one Aussie guy objected he was shouted at and subject to abuse almost continually for the rest of the day.
I'm 32 BTW - not 72. I love so many aspects of the barmy army but the "you're not singing any more" attitude - which comes from football - is something I hate... in football as well as cricket. It's the worst kind of gloating. It's not enough for me to win... I want you to lose and be hurting.
Horrible.
Keep supporting our boys with everything you've got... but let's put the "you're sh*t ahhh..." taunts away.
Complain about this postwhat a load of rubbish! the `barmy army` signals all that is good about english people! we can have fun, we do not take life too seriouslly and we can have a bit of fun! if the bloody aussies wernt so stuck up they would probably join in but i suppose thats yet another thibng that they are second to us at! add that to the long list!
Complain about this postthe `barmy army` are nothing like football hooligans! most football funs are just like the barmy army but because of a couple of drunken idiots we all get tarnished with the same brush!
Constant? Yes. Annoying? Sometimes yes. Loud? Yes.
Complain about this postThe main reason i feel the Aussies object to the Barmy Army in some quarters is simply that they didn't invent it first. Sledging on and off the field is an art form in the Australian game. But this too sometimes slips over into abuse in some form or other. Do the press over there have a go at that at all?
Would this be a problem if they were winning this test match as comfortably as they won the first? No to the two points above i feel.
The simple fact is that the Aussies don't like it up 'em on their turf.
Put them under pressure and they start to moan and bicker. Look at Justin Langer as he left the field at the end of day two (dismissed for 4).
Most of the Australian team seem to understand the 'army. Its the wanna be's in the press on the moan. It is as it's always been. COME ON ENGLAND!!!!
But our players have to put up the infantile abuse from the Australian cricketers? When when it be stopped I wonder and as for manners well I didn't think they had any in Australia from my experience.
Complain about this postA valid point. When as a guest in another man's house it is the guest's obligation to respect that man's rules. Whether they seem silly or not. It is rudeness to do other wise. It is the guest's right to be given respect, but it is the guest's obligation to respect the local culture. I had not thought of it as stated in the article, but it is correct. God help us if the antics of the British Soccer mob become part of cricket support.
Complain about this postGood Luck to the Barmy Army. Many Aussies think the ban on their trumpeter is nonsensical. He's a skilled pofessional musician. Here in more cosmoplitan Sydney he'll be very welcome. Brits, please keep coming to enjoy our fabulous countrty,
Complain about this postJim Wikinson (Sydney born but Geordie dad, oh ay!)
The Australians are so hypocritical. Racist taunts from Lehman to Sri Lankan players, and his teamates upset at a sharp
Complain about this postSri Lankan verbal response. I recall being called for'dragging" in a charity match in Sydney by the umpire. I was bowling geriatiric off spin at the time. But even for charity the Aussies have to win.
Here we go.. to qualify for this I have to say I'm English. I live in Nth Oz and have done for 6 years. Great place, lovely people, all my mates are Aussies. etc.. Always enjoyed the rivalry and banter. Sat in my mates shed (where else!) watching the last Ashes drinking VB and smoking WinnyGolds. Excellent fun and even though we pulled it off, all the fellows toasted a great series and we carried on with the beers. They fell in love with some of our boys and I developed new respect for some of theirs (although Langer, I don't know if I'll ever like him). We're like ebony and ivory, like playing the Germans at football in No Mans Land at Xmas. My mates too loved the Army. However the only Test I've been to was at the boxing day SCG test against India in 1999 with no Barmy Army so I can't comment on them. What I reckon though is that if a person (or group of people) are carrying on like pork chops they need booting out. If they sing for their team, respect the opposition, refrain from racist or any other insulting profanities, including swearing (there are kids who are entitled to go to cricket without being scared stiff) then I'm all for it. We're known for passionate support in England. If the opposition, whomever they may be (we don't hear Indians/Pakistanis/ West Indians complaining when the Army are in Delhi/Lahore/Jamaica do we?) can't replicate the same vocal decibels then its not the fault of one of the most organised sporting groups in the world is it? Take note Fanatics, you might all wear bright yellow T-shirts but thats just letting Kevin Pieterson know where he should be hitting the ball!
Complain about this postsounds like sour grapes from the aussies to me. they have done there upmost to upset out supporters and the barmy army this series, splitting them up in the previous test match and other petit antics. they are just jeleous as they dont have a dedicated set of die hard supporters who have spirit and fun. before all this i allways thaught the aussies were good sports and allways up for a bit of banter alaugh and a joke. my opinions have changed as of this. it just looks like there autorities are trying to stop tha fans lifting the players and beating there set of crooked old players and retaining the ashes. there just moveing the psycological goalposts in my opinion.
Complain about this postInteresting to read all the points of view on here, as I personally have mixed feelings about the Barmy Army. I went to most of the Ashes tests last year and the singing and chanting definitely added to the atmosphere, especially at Edgbaston. However, on no occasion was I actually sitting right next to those doing the chanting. This year at Lords against Sri Lanka, I was right next to some lads chanting loudly and constantly for most of the day, and although they were perfectly nice blokes, I just didn't like being so close to it.
There should be room for everyone at cricket matches. I personally am not the type to start singing and chanting, and I don't feel particularly comfortable being close to people that are. But - and this is slightly hypocritical, I know - I think the singing definitely adds to the atmosphere - just as long as I'm a safe distance from it!
Perhaps the answer is to have a designated Barmy Army section and a designated no alcohol/family section to cater for the two extremes of supporters, and the rest of the ground for everyone inbetween.
Complain about this postC'mon England....for all you ex pats, you can listen to the ashes live from anywhere in the world through the cricket world com website. The commentary is excellent and comes from india I believe...enjoy
Complain about this postPah. He's missing a huge point. Evidence. When have the Barmy Army spilled out of a cricket ground, and consequently caused violence. Ever? Lets see the evidence. Seriously, look at how much has been payed. Thousands upon thousands of pounds for these people, probably not terribly rich people, who LOVE their cricket. They're not going to pay so much money to go and fight with some Aussies. I don't see quite why the bloke wrote the newspaper article. There was talk before that people were getting rid of the Army because they're the primary reason that England perform abroad, and now i can see it even more. Hush hush Mr Bantickt, hush hush.
Complain about this postI'm genuinely suprised by Bantick's comments. He appears to have got it wrong on all accounts. First, it is ridiculous to suggest that British sports fans are generic. If there's ever been crowd trouble at a cricket match involving British supporters I'd like to hear about it. The only 'incident' that springs to mind is the one above about Bill Cooper, who can hardly be branded a hooligan.
"First come the songs, then the crowd trouble." This line from Bantick struck me as particularly arrogant, since there's literally hundreds of thousands of genuine fans chanting week in week out at football matches, and only a handfull of idiots causing trouble that it's hardly even worth mentioning any more.
As for brashness and sarcasm, I thought those were an Aussie speciality? And anyway, since the Barmy Army only make up a small percentage of the British cricket fans, it sounds even more ridiculous to say they set the agenda, especially in stadiums that hold more than 30,000 spectators!
It seems to me that it's not a case of too much wine but sour grapes. I wonder if he'd be making those comments if England were already 2 nil down?
Complain about this postI think I will scream the next time I read about 'friendly banter' in this place...In competition, there are no such words. Baiting and taunting the opposition is what we English specialise in, and it is a disgrace that the less than respectable image that we portray at football matches is also being mirrored in sports like cricket.
'It is all being done with no harm intended'. 'It is meant to liven up the atmopshere'..Yeah, right.
Can some of the Barmy Army worshippers pull their heads out of where the sun doesn't shine and face the truth?
'The Aussies are racists', 'The Aussies are humourless', bla..bla ..bla.. And what gives us the right to think we are whiter than snow?
Complain about this postI for one am proud of the support the barmy army are giving Freddies boys out there, and am quite sure they lift our teams spirits more than a couple of old toffs quietly clapping and shouting bravo at the sight of the occasional boundary would.
Complain about this postKeep it up lads!
Barmy army,
Complain about this postBarmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
(lager please)
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
(etc.)
strange - england start winning suddenly the before dignified in defeat are called "yobbos". keep yobboing i say!
Complain about this postI just admire the commitment on both sides coupled with a bit of niggle but a lot of mutual respect. It is latter day gladiatorial stuff and I am proud of our boys and very respectful of theirs. What a struggle and what a mental comeback by England.
I encourage my kids to watch it, which is more than I can of soccer.
Barmy army,
Complain about this postBarmy army,
Barmy army,
Barmy army,
etc...
cannot say how much i agre with the correspondent. Obviously the people who support the barmy army in their mahem are not the ones who have to sit next to them and their inane chanting for 6 to 7 hours.
Complain about this postAt a football ground it may be acceptable as it only lasts an hour and a half, not all the time at that if they are eating their prawn sandwiches, but to be stuck next to them for hours on end after paying 60 quid for the "privelige" of enjoying their view of atmosphere is not for me.
Who says the Aussies don't sing? When I watched the Lions tour of 2001, they had a few songs. They weren't very funny, but they did their best. One that stuck in my mind was the chant "I'd rather be a Paki than a Pom". We England (and fellow UK and Ireland fans) do a lot better and far more pleasant songs than that.
Complain about this postIs this just not typical of our English yob/chav culture.. The so called barmy army are like a disease as found in every city/footbll ground/cricket ground we show how little class we have when it comes to International relationships. We apparently have to wear the lion with pride. Get real an Englishman who knows how to party in style does it well, With or Without smashing 20 pints down. barm off
Complain about this postThe Barmy army are no worries the Aussies need to look at there own.
Was there in (98/99) their fans were appaling at the one day games there was likely to be a riot andinfact if i remeber rightly an England player had a pool ball land very close to them. Am in NZ now and a similar thing happens at eden park to much beer n lack of brain cells
Let the Barmy Army sing Let the Pakistani's ad Indians sing and blow their horns, and let the other invent thier own way to follow their team.
Finish em off hoggy n lets get attack em in their second innings !
Complain about this postWhy is everyone getting so heated about the BA ? Yes of course they are over excited alcoholic morons who are enjoying themselves without the slightest bit of respect for anyone else. But there are just as many home "fans" guilty of the same. I've seen it all at close quarters and like most others in the vicinity just want them all to shut up. As for some loser trying to get in with a bugle, please deport him for his own safety.
Complain about this postAlso will you stop banging on about Monty and Giles as if it will affect the series in any way. This game is all about flat track bullying. There is still daylight between the two teams and anyone who slags off McGrath and Warne on the strength of one innings is just being incredibly silly. Can't wait for the presentation in Sydney and yes, I'm sure we can arrange an open top bus to the airport.
The aussies gave us sledging and see nothing wrong with it.
Any crowd trouble will start with their own drunken fans not England`s
They like to give it out but cannot take it back
what about the racist comments from aussie supporters?
fair play to the barmy army and get the trumpet player back in the ground
Complain about this postI went to 2 days of the Brisbane test at the Gabba with my 2 small children and my comment would be that regardless of the Barmy Army they shouldnt be selling alcohol there, we were in the family area and people were still trying to smuggle beer..the barmy army didnt bother us at all..what did was the Aussies who sang songs like knick knack paddy whack give a dog a bone why dont you just piss off home! Also the only time I felt threatned was outside during a break with some Aussie supporters who were discussing burning the English flag.
Complain about this postEver heard the singing at an AFL match?
Complain about this post"Col-ling-wood
Clap-clap-clap"
is about as resourceful as it gets.
It can be vaguely interesting to hear the few North Melbourne (re-branded The Kangaroos) fans that there are trying to make
"North Mel-bourne
Clap-clap-clap"
scan.
The St Kilda fans found away around this poetic imbroglio with
"Sain-ters
Clap-clap-clap"
But I think you may be able to discern something of a pattern emerging by now.
Barmy Army?
A bit too much of the Iambic Pentameters for the aesthetes down this way.
Oddly enough, for a go-ahead thrusting young nation, they seem more conservative than the homeland.
The Barmy Army are not to everyone's taste but they add another edge to the jobes and barbs and sledging. The Australians just don't like anyone to be quicker to a joke - or funner.
The National Anthem, Barmy Army version - bears this out when sung after every wicket.
"God Save Your Gracious Queen
Long Live Your Noble Queen
God Save Our Queen!"
Learn to laugh at yourselves as a nation and take the eucalyptus pole out of your collective arses. We have!
Complain about this postBoy, everything changes and nothing changes. The Aussie/Pom relationship must be the most successful in world history, but it remains one of love/hate. BOTH sides do LOADS of whingeing and cringing. The English will always like a drink and a sing song,(gotta keep up morale when being hammered by Australia) and the Aussies will never be able to be gracious over a sporting contest with the Poms. Bottom line, ENJOY YOURSELF, respect where you're visiting and the people around you, and share in a terrific game.
Complain about this postif its getting up the aussies noses then it has to be a good thing...... believe me they will use anything to gain an advantage to win back the ashes ....
Complain about this postAs for this reporter he's just trying to provke the army into doing something to confirm he is right, the army will be split up and the article will have served its purpose.
Hooligans !!! thats a cheap shot, typical of an aussie though always whinging, be careful what you wish for Mr.Reporter and stick to reporting the cricket as its been brilliant in case you hadnt noticed...
One just has to look at the massive fines the Aussie officials in all their sports dish out for crowd trouble- ÂŁ20,000 for streaking in a rugby match is a big indicator that there is zero tolerance to fans who may cause minimal trouble, which is a shame really....
Complain about this postit's a shame that the so called intelligent commentators cannot distinguish between the jovial good humoured Barmy Army & the thugs that often follow English football teams! a chip on the shoulder seems evident!
Complain about this postI've seen the Army in action at the SCG ever since they came to supports Mike Atherton's team. I have never found them to be anything other than entertaining.
Complain about this postAustralians complaining about boorishness? That's got to rank as 10 on the irony meter.
Complain about this postbeing punished for being patriotic whats going on in the world. The way england si at the inute we need people like this real born and bread. I think other countries are juts jealous of our passion for our nation lets be honest whetehr ist football, cricket, or rugby our support is bigger than anyone elses. Fans do not get enough respect shown, fans are what make a sport passion. pride and belief start showing us moe respect.
Complain about this postThere are people out there who would rather keep cricket for the gentlemen, not the players. The barmy army are there to cheer the players and have some fun. If you keep cricket for the snobs you stop kids playing and end up with stuffy guys in blasers and mcc ties losing the ashes for twenty years at a time.
So keep singing "Barmy Army...Barmy Army...
Complain about this postthey are jus upset that the barmy army is outsinging them everyday so there newspaper writers think they can call them 4 enjoyin watching there team
Complain about this postit's interesting that so many posters are not adressing the issue - "yeahbutwotboutderozfanz....." - so what?
Complain about this postThe point Bantick seems to be trying to make is that the barmy army can be a real pain in the buttocks; I have no doubt that they are a fairly inoffensive set of post adolescent chaps, but they seem to me to act like 4C off the leash and I think it'd fair dinkyum for the guy to call it.
Ingore the Tizer - it's just the local rag and not worth the paper it is printed on.
Complain about this postThat may be true, but they don't mind taking the money that the Army brings in.
Complain about this postSurprise, surprise. I'm an englishmen living in Sydney and I've never known such a bunch of kettles calling pots black. Love to dish it out, hate getting it back. Funny how we didn't get all this whining in the first test. Hmmm, wonder why.
Mr Manchick should move over to Lawn bowls if it's getting to much for him. He might think that this loud, brash, supporting belongs away from the cricket stands, fine, but racism doesn't belong anywhere. Build a bridge mate, GET OVER IT!
Complain about this postWon't bother going through all comments here as I have no doubt they are mostly along the lines of which nation has the inferior people either full of racists or of Football hooligans and who therefore should be sent to labour camps. However I will note a few differences between Aussie and English crowds.
At any English sporting event it is extremely costly to get in. This tends to mean that just the blokes go - and slightly older blokes - 23 and upwards.
Cricket in Australia has more kids and families. Dad sitting with his missus and the kids is less likely to get up and start singing "Can you hear the Pommies sing I can't hear a ....ing thing" or respond to "I ...gged Maltilda and my mates did as well" (which btw isn't totally inoffensive for those claiming Barmy Army chants are all harmless)
On the other side of the coin, the cheaper prices mean that cricket in Oz also has more 17 or 18 year old blokes. Naturally these blokes are generally more immature, still experimenting with alcohol and are more likely indulge in yobbish behaviour.
Singing isn't also a big thing at Australian sportig events but come to a big AFL game in Melbourne and I am sure you will agree that whilst totally different, the atmosphere is terrific.
Complain about this postI spent most of the Summer (or winter if you are aussie) in Perth WA, in doing so I managed to attend Subiaco Oval and watch a few AFL matches, I managed to attend various hockey games, soccer games, rugby games, throughout them all I was astounded at the lack of imagination shown by the Aussie supporters, they do not have the ability/inclination to come up with any amusing songs or chants. If it is not written down on paper for them to do, then it does not happen.
Complain about this postI am Scots and have particular disdain for many areas of English "yobbishness" however the Barmy Army do not even come close to that. They make a noise, get behind their team and make sure that the Aussies know they are in a match. That is what supporting your team is about. Support: (definition 6 in the Collins English Dictionary) To give aid or courage to.
That is what the Barmy Army are doing, they are letting the English team know that several thousand Englishmen have travelled the world to come and watch the English team play. That the English team had better get their fingers out and start playing.
That seems like a worthy cause and any complaints are both hypocritical and carmudgeonly... If you are unlike me and do not support whoever England are playing ;-)
Ha! Hypocrisy rules in OZ. As a dual (POM/OZ) citizen living in this allegedly âmulticulturalâ land down under, I find these statements ludicrous and more to do with the turn around in cricketing fortunes between the first and second tests. Of all the crowds in international cricket, the Australians have no rivals when it comes to racist behaviour that extends to life in general where the term WOG is commonplace. It is these and not the Barmy Army who more resembles the hooligan element at soccer matches. It is also a reaction to the tactic that backfired when the sale of Ashes tickets was targeted at handicapping the Army â FAILED! We POM âsleepersâ put paid to that. âGo the POMsâ and âGo the Barmy Army!â
Complain about this postA football match lasts around 90 minutes and I can stand 90 minutes of chanting noise and mayhem.
A Test Match lasts 5 days and the noise, to my ears, becomes tiresome before the end of the first day.
However it is not only English supporters that are overly noisy, West Indian, Indian and Pakistani supporters are often noisy also.
Complain about this postThe austrailians have long time mocked the British sports fan, from their treatment of paul collingwood prior to the start of this test, through all of the mocking of the english rugby team. it appears that they only reason that the australians have it in for the barmy army is that their own fans have no answer to it, and thus are doing all they can to prevent us from supporting our team with the same entausiasm and patriosims that the australians have enjoyed for many years! come on the barmy army and support our team to retaining the ashes!!
Complain about this postThirdlion:
www.cricketaustralia.tv
I'm in japan and can watch live through this site - the entire series plus one-dayers for US$25. Good luck!
Complain about this postDSL, there can never be a place for you in our country much less a cricket ground. You have absolutely no right to say a social grouping should be excluded from anywhere based on their class, something people are essentially born with, furthermore unless you do not work or are bourgeoisie you are also working class, I therefore think you should also remove your opinions not only from economic classes in cricket but also from economic class definitions in any form. This is of course is assuming you are not bourgeoisie, in which case I ask you to remove yourself not only from the life of cricket but also, perhaps, just from life. It would do the rest of us singing, drunking, cricket-loving, scummy underclass a big big favour, of course class traitors and bourgeoisie (and you are one of the two) have never been inclined that way, how unfortunate.
In regards to most of the comments of this page.
Complain about this post1. Don't go assuming the views of this one page are representative of Australians as a whole, this leads to generalisation (like we are loud-mouthing football hooligans posing as cricket fans and the Australians are racist, boring and jealous)
2. It has been pointed out and I believe this is perfectly true that people generally go to cricket matches, at least in recent times, for the atmosphere, it is hard to justify ticket prices if you disprove of this atmosphere when you can just watch at home for a fraction of the price.
3. Again there has been generalisation of the barmy army as football hooligans, can anyone give me an example of a fight en-masse related specifically to cricket between two sets of opposing fans? I don't reckon so, this excludes a drunken brawl somewhere between one England fan and another opposing fan, as this could happen anywhere in anyplace in totally different circumstances. Can anyone list an example of the Barmy Army looking for a fight with opposing fans? I don't think anyone could and therefore this comparison is invalid.
4. People have said that they aren't the only ones that pay money and they spoil the game for others. Couldn't they simply reverse this argument and say you spoil it for them by a) not chanting with them and hence not give the team a lift, as has been said England's record is better at more "atmospheric" grounds and as they pay the same as you, you have no right to spoil not only their chanting but England's performance to. Easy-to-turn-around argument equals an unsound one.
I am English and live here in Perth, the barmy army are a welcome relief to the non eventful and pretty dull existance that is Australian sense of humour and imagination at sporting and most other events.
Complain about this postCan't wait to see a bit of life injected into Perth next week!
Perhaps the Aussies should stop whinging about the Barmy Army and come up with something original and funny in reply!!! This would be difficult for them i know!!
As a sign of how poor the aussies are at singing, I was at the Australia/ New Zealand rugby world cup semi final (as an impartial) and the only people you could hear singing there were the english. Thats a pretty poor show in my book!
Complain about this postI guess this guy has never seen cricket played in the subcontinent, where the fans will cheer for anything. Considering that in a few of these places there are barriers around the edge of the pitch to keep fans back the Barmy Army appears relatively tame.
Complain about this postGot to love this one Lindsay. Not three weeks ago while receiving a trophy in India the Aussie cricket team push the chief of the Indian cricket board off the stage to grab the trophy because the ceremony was taking too long. Was that a guest's obligation?
A valid point. When as a guest in another man's house it is the guest's obligation to respect that man's rules. Whether they seem silly or not. It is rudeness to do other wise. It is the guest's right to be given respect, but it is the guest's obligation to respect the local culture. I had not thought of it as stated in the article, but it is correct. God help us if the antics of the British Soccer mob become part of cricket support.
Complain about this postEngland have made two mistakes that should ensure a draw. Dropping Ponting will be seen to be the main reason by supporters and the media.
However it's the very slow run rate by the english batters that's negated Englands strong position. 550 runs in 166 overs, too slow. Imagine the position of dominance they would have if the run rate was one extra run per over, declaring earlier with around 675 runs and making australia bat earlier. They would now be a couple of hundred runs up with 4 sessions left, game on.
Your probably wondering how a team can score 500 runs in an innings in Adelaide and still lose, India won three years ago in Adelaide, both teams scoring over 500 each on the first innings. Run rates were 4 per over.
They had to force the issue and didn't, Australia 1-nil after two tests.
Complain about this postThe constant chant of the Barmy Army might start as a bit of fun but quickly sinks into the depths of monotony for those who are unlucky enough to be within earshot. Even watching on tv over the weekend I had absolutely enough of the background drone after an hour or so. They sound like a bunch of braindead morons that don't understand the game or give a toss for other spectators. I understand that for they, being English, have nothing much to actually cheer for, a bit of song might liven up another drubbing at the hands of the Aussies but for heavens sake change the record or better still go somewhere else. There is miles of desert in Australia. I wish the Barmy Army would use it.
Complain about this postThe constant chant of the Barmy Army might start as a bit of fun but quickly sinks into the depths of monotony for those who are unlucky enough to be within earshot. Even watching on tv over the weekend I had absolutely enough of the background drone after an hour or so. They sound like a bunch of braindead morons that don't understand the game or give a toss for other spectators. I understand that for they, being English, have nothing much to actually cheer for, a bit of song might liven up another drubbing at the hands of the Aussies but for heavens sake change the record or better still go somewhere else. There is miles of desert in Australia. I wish the Barmy Army would use it.
Complain about this postI am a pom living in Queensland ,and I find Aussie crowds to be very reserved I went to the U2 concert at ANZ stadium and it's the only time I have been told to sit down at a rock concert. The joke is whats the differance between the moon and an Aussie sports crowd. There's more atmosphere on the moon. The big differance is in attitude an Aussie is all out to win,especially when playing England,but the English are there to enjoy themselves .
Complain about this postIf I pay to watch the cricket i pay to see sport,not to listen to some mindless twit playing a trumpet all day long. Having said that I think the Barmy Army are good for cricket and can't wait for them at the 'G'. As for all the comments from poms living in Oz and bagging it, you know where the airports are, you are quite welcome to go home any time you like. I wouldn't take any notice of what anyone in Adelaide says anyway.
Those who think that it is aussies being jealous or scared of the support are way off the mark. I think the authorities are more scared of the idiot element among home supporters who can't handle the drink and witty comments.
Complain about this postThe Barmy Army need to exercise restratint, no doubt. Just as some Aussie cricketers do out on the pitch!
Complain about this post.... on the barmy army, good for the Australians to speak up .... now, could the broadcasters not reposition their microphones so we at home don't have to suffer the mindless racket?
Complain about this postThe inference of the Australian media is that the Aussie fans are quiet and well behaved and the yobbish English fans are here to impose their football hooligan habits on the locals. I am English born and have lived in Australia for 35 years. I like the cricket but will not attend in person any more. The last matches I attended were a State one day game and a 20/20 game between Australia and South Africa at the Gabba in Brisbane. The crowd was almost totally Australian on both occassions and the loutish behaviour bordered on dangerous with very little done by the crowd controllers to limit the behaviour. The mexican waves involved throwing food and plastic cups of beer in the air. I made the mistake of wearing good clothes as I was entertaining friends from Sweden who had never seen cricket before. The yobs spent nearly all the time with their backs to the action on the pitch, urging others to exhibit the same anti-social behaviour. Occasionally a security person would speak to someone then leave them to carry on as before.
Complain about this postIt is true that there is nothing more morose and lack lustre than an Australian crowd of supporters.
I have been to the state of origin final (one of the biggest games of any sport in Oz) and the crowd support was actually quite embarassing. I walked away wondering if they actually wanted to be there..!!
The Aussies, no doubt, are awesome at most sports but what really grates them is they do not feature in comparison to the Brits and how they support their teams. They don't like the Barmy Army simply because they do not have anything like it... The Fanatics..?? Original name! If you have seen the advert for them on Aussie TV you would die laughing...!!
The Aussies are only good at barracking the other team on the pitch but unfortunately in a way that always leaves a bad taste in the mouth.. They are still highly racist and are totally oblivious to it which makes it all the more disturbing..
But they just beat England, how I will never know, so I can imagine they do not care one jot what we think of their support.. I hope the England players made cash out of that impossible defeat because if it were India the tongues would be wagging from Delhi to Rawalpindi..!
Unbelievable...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postI now officially am sick of the Barmy Army chants.
Complain about this postGod please ...They are like the relentless McDonalds TV ad's between overs..SHUT UP !
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen, but I don't care. Basically nothing seems worth thinking about. I can't be bothered with anything recently.
Complain about this postI haven't been up to anything recently, but so it goes. Such is life. What can I say? Pretty much not much exciting going on to speak of. I haven't gotten much done lately, but I don't care.
Complain about this postI've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. Whatever. Not much on my mind lately. I guess it doesn't bother me.
Complain about this postBasically nothing seems worth thinking about. I haven't been up to much these days. I just don't have much to say right now. I can't be bothered with anything , but whatever.
Complain about this post