The Original Barmy Army

[philcom55]

Congratulations to the England Cricket Team on retaining the Ashes last night. I'm not sure when their supporters acquired their popular nickname but I can't help wondering whether this Wham! strip by Leo Baxendale might have given them the idea in the first place.



- Phil Rushton

[stevezodiac]

As a punk rock fan I remember the Exploited fans singing on a live track "We're Exploited barmy army..." And most football fans refer to themselves as Barmy Armies. Cricket fans are just sad individuals who drink a lot to overcome the fact they are incapable of forming relationships with women. The only way you could make cricket of any interest is to substitute the ball for a hand grenade or let a few bulls loose in the outfield. As someone once said - one team could be a million runs for no wickets and the other 1 run for eight - then it rains and they call it a draw. Draws should not exist in cricket. (I don't like cricket).

[grumpy old man]

Let’s not forget Sir Geoffrey’s Christmas day message to the nation after 12 minutes play “Luke eet’s a flat track. There’s no way England can win!”

Who had that one, on their Boycott Bingo card?

[Phoenix]

Cricket fans are just sad individuals who drink a lot to overcome the fact they are incapable of forming relationships with women. The only way you could make cricket of any interest is to substitute the ball for a hand grenade or let a few bulls loose in the outfield. As someone once said - one team could be a million runs for no wickets and the other 1 run for eight - then it rains and they call it a draw. Draws should not exist in cricket. (I don't like cricket).

I suppose it's just a question of one's point of view. Personally, I believe cricket to be a ball game of the highest quality. It is an intelligent, subtle, absorbing game, a wonderful, multifaceted creation, an achievement unlikely to be bettered. Are you sure you're not talking about rugby, Steve?

[STARBOY]

I find Cricket to be totally uncomprehensible as a game ( as I do with Baseball) when I see the highlights I think its ok as it seems to be fast moving, then I tried to watch a game recently and gawd was it slow I had no idea what was going on, who was England and who was Australia and I initially thought the players were just warming up, seemingly I was watching 20 mins on "riviting cricket" - It's the only game that Scots don't mind (and sometimes support) England winning, so that shows you how much we "love" it - all joking aside I assume the Ashes are a "big" thing so well done for the victory (but how is it if you draw you win?? - see its mental) .

[Digifiend]

There's five matches in the series. If England is already 2-0 up, and the third one is a draw... Australia can't win. In the event of a draw in the series (say, 2-2 with all five matches played), the current holders win. In this case, that would be England.

[STARBOY]

Cheers Digi - I get that now, but to me if they draw then thats not a win - hope they (England) win the next one so it's "properly" Englands.

[steelclaw]

As a punk rock fan I remember the Exploited fans singing on a live track "We're Exploited barmy army..."

I've got this track, really meaningful lyrics arn't they.

Exploited Barmy Army

We're the exploited barmy army, don't threaten us

E-X-P-L-O-I-T-E-D

Don't mess, with the barmy army
Don't fight, with the barmy army
Don't stare, at the barmy army
Don't mess, with the barmy army

E-X-P-L-O-I-T-E-D

Don't mess, with the barmy army
Don't fight, with the barmy army
Don't stare, at the barmy army
Don't mess, with the barmy army

[steelclaw]

I can't stand cricket I would rather watch Bolton play.

[STARBOY]

I doubt very much that the Barmy Army by the Exploited was written about the English or Cricket as they are a Scottish band and don't strike me as cricket fans somehow. I remember a few days after they appeared on Top of the Pops, Wattie (the lead singer) signed on the dole (thats unemployment benefit if thats not a general term anymore) when I worked in the Unemployment office he signed at. As normal I asked him if he was avaialble for work all last week and if he had done any work recieved or payments etc - He asked "err mate you a music fan" I said yeah a BIG music fan Mr Buchan, he replied "well thats me f**ked for my benefit this week then I take it" (as he had recieved £ for the appearance on TV and to be fair signed off when gigging) then he laughed a scary big so and so but a nice guy (and he wasn't docked as money was split with band) he signed off not long after as they got lots of gigs and got a bit of success adn still touring wow!.

[Phoenix]

I can't stand cricket I would rather watch Bolton play.

New supporters are always welcome at the Reebok, steelclaw, so let me know when you are coming up. I'm a club member so, to make your trip doubly memorable, I should be able to get you some autographs.

[steelclaw]

I can't stand cricket I would rather watch Bolton play.

New supporters are always welcome at the Reebok, steelclaw, so let me know when you are coming up. I'm a club member so, to make your trip doubly memorable, I should be able to get you some autographs.

John Elmander is doing really well in my fantasy football team, I might have to come & see him play.