Southend football fans in Sydney tuning in late for match

A group of Southend United fans will be tuning in during the night as they prepare to catch a game down under.

The Cheers Bar in Sydney, Australia, is due to show the Shrimpers' match against Chesterfield at 02:00 AEDT on Sunday.

The efforts are being led by the new Shrimpers Down Under supporters' group.

Australian IT millionaire Justin Rees, who is leading a consortium buying the football club, is expected to attend the pub screening.

Legendary ex-Southend centre back Spencer Prior will also be joining fans at Cheers Bar for the Blues' game against the National League leaders, fans have said.

Andrew Urry, a supporter who moved from Essex to Brisbane 15 years ago, said he watched every game live on television, despite the time difference.

"It is early morning starts so my body clock is a little bit all over the place which is the one price I pay," the die-hard fan said.

"I have tried different ways; I have tried having a sleep during the day hopefully seeing me through and setting the alarm just before.

"But most of the time I just try and motor through. I don't do a lot on Sunday mornings on those occasions."

Roots Hall stadium in Southend-on-Sea has been gripped by Aussie fever since news broke of Mr Rees's consortium leading the charge to purchase the club.

One fan in Essex, Paul Lee, wore a cork hat, carried an inflatable kangaroo toy and handed out cans of Fosters lager at a game last month.

During an event in Southend on Tuesday, two members of Mr Rees's group told BBC Essex the takeover deal was "close".

The duo, Gary Lockett and John Watson, said the agreement was unlikely to be completed this week but hoped it would be over the line by December.

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