For some inexplicable reason, ‘Sammy’ lacks his own Wikipedia entry — so there’s not much information out there for me to steal, err, inform you, my dear readers with.

The resort of Southend is by the sea (hence it’s proper name Southend on Sea). Presumably that’s why a person in a shrimp suit is so appropriate to represent the club. As opposed to an elephant for example.

‘The Shrimpers’ are currently locked in a fierce battle to avoid relegation back down to League One — which begs the question, if they were to go down after their last home game, would ‘Sammy’ be prohibited from appearing due to his permanent smile? Seems a reasonable question to me.

That smile might be left over from Southend’s famous victory over Manchester United earlier this season. Either that, or the LSD.

You can witness ‘Sammy the Shrimp’ doing his fabulous pitch side moves down below…

So let me introduce Barney the Owl – who when not strutting his stuff around the Hillsborough pitch, is likely appearing at the openings of new shopping markets.

Like others, politics may be his true calling – until then see him inspire below..