Southend United may only have attracted just over 3,500 supporters for their first victory of the season on Bank Holiday Monday - but that result was not just being cheered by those in attendance at Roots Hall.

In fact, centre-half Adam Barrett's brace against high flying Macclesfield Town, which clinched the 2-1 win, was even cheered on the other side of the world - as the newly formed Southend United supporters club in Western Australia celebrated a rare triumph for Steve Tilson's side.

"I've been living in Perth for 23 years, but I used to live in Southend," said Scott Pyle who is the founder of the Blues down under club.

"I got taken to a game when I was a youngster and it all went from there really."

But Pyle - who played amateur football himself for both Whitehouse Wanderers and Catholic United - also admitted he did miss watching the Seasiders from the stands.

"It is quite hard supporting the lads from so far away sometimes as nothing beats watching a game live," he was quick to add.

"Although you can keep up with everythingon the net these days, it'sgreat to meet with people over here who were originally from the Southend area that love their football and were regulars at Roots Hall."

Published Wednesday September 1, 2004

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