Southampton fan James Thornell travels 10,000 miles from Melbourne to see his first Saints game - an 8-0 win!

James Thornell, from Melbourne, saw Saints smash eight past hapless Sunderland after flying 41 hours to reach St Mary's Stadium shortly before kick-off.

The 30-year-old spent £950 to fly from Australia to Britain to see Ronald Koeman's men for the first time.

His love for the Saints was born as a child when he saw them on television as a nine-year-old, savouring goals from Ronnie Ekelund and legend Matthew Le Tissier in a 2-0 win over Everton.

James saw a spectacular own goal from Santiago Vergini before strikes from Graziano Pelle and Jack Cork in the first half.

Then, beyond his wildest dreams, he saw second half goals from Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Victor Wanyama, Sadio Mane, and a Liam Bridcutt own goal.

During his memorable day he had his photo taken with defender Jose Fonte, and even had a shirt given to him by Ryan Bertrand after the left-back heard how far he had travelled.

A sailor in the Australian navy, James is staying with a Reading fan in Basingstoke for two weeks and will watch Saints' next game against Stoke City on Saturday.

Back in Australia he is a member of the Southampton Australia Supporters Club which had just six members at first - but now has more than a thousand.

Last season he made a 3,500km road trip to their annual dinner - over 2,000 miles and 36 hours at the wheel - from Darwin to Adelaide.

He said: “It was pretty much the best day of my life and it was made all the sweeter for speaking to a few of the players.

“Ryan Bertrand came over and we had a chat for a couple of minutes - he gave me his shirt after hearing where I'd come from.

“Victor Wanyama also did a short video for the Southampton supporters club in Kenya with us which was great.

“It was the most amazing feeling - the whole ground was in shock and awe at what we witnessed.”

“My plane fare cost me 1,750 Aussie dollars - about £950.

“It's the second time I've been to the UK, but last time it was two weeks after the end of the Championship promotion season so I couldn't see them play.

“My brother supports Essendon back at home - they are an Aussie Rules team - and we watched the Saints Everton game back in 1994 together.

“He said I'll support Everton because they sound like Essendon and I said I'll support Southampton because that's what it said they were on TV.

“I've supported them ever since. I personally always carry something from Southampton on me. My phone cover is a Saints cover and my house keys are red and white.”