SOUTHEND United’s supporters will show their dedication to the club by making the arduous long journey to Carlisle tomorrow.

Coaches, carrying the fans, will leave Southend at 6am ready for the 680 mile round journey which, on a good day, will see them travelling for a combined total of 12 hours on the road.

But that does not put off life-long fan Gareth Pummery.

And he is looking forward to making the trip with his girlfriend’s son, nine-year-old Harry Goodier.

“Harry is really getting in to going to the game’s and kept on saying he wanted to go somewhere further than Rochdale which is the furthest he’s travelled so far,” said Pummery, 31.

“You can’t get much further than going to Carlisle and even though I’ve shown him on a map how far away it is and told him we could be on the coach for more than six hours, he’s buzzing about it.

“He got the new kit last week and he hasn’t taken it off since so he’s really excited about going to another game, even if it absolutely miles away.”

The Benfleet based Pummery has also been supporting the Shrimpers since the age of nine.

And, for many seasons, he was a regular at every away game.

“I used to go a lot more than I do now and back then I didn’t even think about the journeys it was just the next fixture and you went wherever it was,” said Pummery.

“Carlisle away has to be the sign of the most dedicated supporters but the TravelZone coach we’re on is full.

“I think the one the Shrimpers Trust are running is full as well plus I know a few others going on the train so I don’t think the distance puts everyone off.

“Going to the games you also get to know everyone so it makes for a great atmosphere.

“You just have to hope we don’t lose because that makes it seem an awful lot longer on the way home.”

Blues will be doing all they can to avoid defeat at Brunton Park after suffering their first reverse of the season against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

However, despite that 1-0 reverse to the Dons, Pummery has been pleased by Southend’s start to the season.

And he again expects them to be pushing for promotion.

“I don’t think you can grumble with the start the team have made and I’m quite confident we will at least be in the play-offs, said Pummery.

“We may have lost to AFC Wimbledon but I thought we battered them and played well.

“I think a lot will depend on the injuries we get but hopefully they won’t hit us too hard and we can get up in to League One.”