League Two leaders Southend have an avid supporter some 11,000 miles away in Adelaide, 18 year old Dimitri Panagis, reports, the Echo. "I have known about Southend for eight years when I was playing Championship Manager with my older cousin on the computer," explained Panagis.
"Back then you had to apply for a team to manage.
"I applied for 20 teams and the only team that accepted me was Southend. Tes Bramble was on fire for me that season and ever since then my interest in the club has continued to grow."
As a result, Panagis now stays awake until the early hours of the morning to listen to live commentary of Blues' matches online.
But his interest in the Blues confuses most other Australians.
"Everyone I know around here either supports Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea," said Panagis.
"They laugh at me for supporting a club that they haven't even heard of, but I'm proud to be a Shrimper and I will always be a Shrimper!
"I also let them know who is the only team in England that has a 100 per cent record over Man United and I have managed to convert three other mates. They now follow the club too but not quite as much as I do."
Panagis lists Neil Harris, Bilel Mohsni, Mark Phillips, Blair Sturrock and Anthony Grant as his favourite Blues players.
"Hopefully in the years to come I can come to Essex for a holiday and watch Southend," said Panagis. "Hopefully we will be in the Championship and at Fossetts Farm too."
