(GRAHAM BARRETT is a visiting Englishman who is still revelling in the 3-1 Ashes series victory.)

"He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, that Mitchell Johnson, his bowling is shite."

This was to become the signature Ashes tune of the Barmy Army, even appearing on T-shirts at the end of the series, as hopes turned to expectations the longer England dominated.

It was also to become symbolic of the life, energy and good-natured comedy the travelling support brought to proceedings and part of the reason they became such a potent 12th man for the England Test team.

The tour began in Brisbane with that familiar sinking feeling. Our captain Andrew Strauss dismissed in the very first over and the Aussies building a big first innings lead. Not 2006 all over. Please. The tension among those in the stands was palpable. Many had tickets for all five Tests and simply couldn't bear another whitewash.

Then something strange happened. Something distinctively un-Ashes like. England launched that quite staggering comeback that saw them overhaul the Australian lead and enable them to declare its second innings on 517-1.

If you're looking for a turning point in the series then look no further. For this was the moment that allowed the travelling contingent to really find its voice.

As was to be typical on the final days of this series, the away fans comfortably outnumbered the home support on day five at the Gabba. Only 7,008 were seated inside the ground but they greeted each run, boundary, century and double century with gusto.

The songs began to flow. Billy the Trumpeter pitched in with the likes of Only Fools and Horses, Neighbours, Eastenders, Coronation Street and even Livin' on a Prayer. The fans needed no second invitation to launch into a rousing national anthem with a pointed, 'God Bless YOUR Queen', directed at the home support. A fruity rendition of Waltzing Matilda was never far away. And of course the rousing "Barmy Army, Barmy Army, Barmy Army..." (repeat ad infinitum and nauseum), led by ringmaster Jimmy Saville.

But it was when England came out to field that they really upped the tempo and created that unique home-from-home support.

"Ohh Jimmy, Jimmy ... Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy Anderson"

"He's big, he's bad, he's better than his dad...Stuart Broad, Stuart Broad"

"Swann, Swann will tear them apart again" (to the tune, of course, of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.)

From thereon in, these were to be the sounds of the summer.

All the Army needed was a sign that England were on the up to demonstrate its vociferous support. There were doubts along the way. Hard to believe now but the Australian revival in Perth put the series on a knife-edge.

As for the England players, all the Army needed from them was a sign that they were appreciated. On numerous occasions, Strauss clapped the fans as he fielded a ball in front of them and he never failed to thank them after the game in the interviews. They loved him for this as much as his set-the-tone batting and exemplary captaincy.

Swann's clear love of the game and off-field banter make him difficult to dislike, but his introduction of the 'sprinkler' celebration meant he would be a friend for life to the Barmy Army. Cook and Anderson were warmly embraced for being the main tormentors-in-chief of the Aussies.

One thing the Barmy Army understands is loyalty after the endless trips Down Under it has had to endure rather than enjoy. And so when Paul Collingwood announced his retirement from Test cricket, this old warrior was given a superb and lasting ovation throughout the final day's play at the SCG.

But it was Matt Prior who became the one that was taken most to heart. He never failed to acknowledge the support and was the first to salute the hordes when a victory was secured. And it was to the Barmy Army that he first turned on completion of his century in Sydney. He instinctively knew how to interact with the crowds and to recognise the efforts and expense that all the fans had invested.

After all, without the fans this great game is not going to endure. It's not just the England fans either. Credit must be given to the Australian fans who perservered with the action even when things were going against their team. There was plenty of banter at the ground but, as always, it was good-natured. The vast majority of Aussie fans wanted to congratulate their adversaries in the stands and applaud their team's efforts. Likewise the English fans were always quick to predict an Australian renaissance and a return to the days of baggy green dominance.

Just let us enjoy this one for while, eh?