KEEN Southend United supporter Callum Turner was handed a welcome surprise when Blues manager Phil Brown visited him at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Callum, 15, has been in hospital for the past six weeks due to a problem with his heart.

And his mother Donna revealed he could not have been any happier to see Brown arrive.

“It was just fantastic and we’re just so grateful to Phil for taking time out from his schedule to come and see Callum,” said Donna.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club as well who helped make it happen because it really did give Callum a huge lift which was fantastic to see.

“We originally approached the club to get a get well message in the programme.

“But we then got an email back saying Phil Brown would like to come and see him.

“Callum is a big Southend fan so he was quite emotional when Phil arrived and spoke to him for about an hour.

“We really do appreciate it and it was a lovely surprise for Callum.”

Hockley based Callum is currently on the waiting list to receive a heart bypass.

And Brown was delighted to be able to visit him.

“It was a real pleasure for me to be able to go and see Callum,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s far braver than me and most other people I know and it really makes you think about what truly matters in life.

“I had a good chat with him and he told me the last game he saw was against Walsall in the League Cup towards the start of the season.

“He said he enjoyed watching how we played football which was great to hear and I took along a signed programme from Jack Payne who is his favourite player.

“I wish him and his family all the very best with his treatment and hope to see him back at Roots Hall again soon for one of our matches.”