Frankie's Thai friend Nana becomes Blues’ superfan in her 6-month stay

Nana, who is from Thailand, went to every one of the Southend United games, 16 in total, in the six months she was staying here from July to December.

Family friend Frankie, who lives in Southend, even made her dream come true when she got Nana a personalised Thai football shirt and had it signed by her favourite player, Callum Powell.

“For someone that’s never watched football before coming to this country somehow in six months we've made her a Southend fan for life,” said Frankie.

“She was amazed by the heading of the ball and she has become an absolute massive fan and got right into the game cheering along. It was lovely to watch her learn what football is properly and Nana is so enthusiastic about Southend.”

Southend United fan - Frankie Adams (Image: Frankie Adams)

At the last game before she went home Frankie gave her a personalised Powell top in Thai.

“I couldn’t let her go home without one. Southend United has always been a massive part of my family life. It’s something my dad, Bob, and I have always done. Nana’s favourite player quickly became Callum Powell so when it came round to her leaving I wanted to make her something special which was her shirt,” she said.

“She absolutely adores it and my dad said she didn’t stop smiling and looking at it. It’s “Powell” in Thai on the back of her shirt. Never been so thankful for google translate as without that I couldn’t have made it. I also want to say a massive thank you to Callum himself as he met her after the game on Boxing Day took a photo and signed the shirt which she has taken back and shown all her family in Thailand."

Nana at her last game with her Callum Powell shirt written in Thai (Image: Frankie Adams)

“He was so lovely! She was over the moon! My dad is going to see if Nana can stream the games now, she is back home and if she can then she will be watching as many as she can given the time difference. We will always keep her updated on the game. We are hoping to get her visa renewed for the end of the season, so that fingers crossed she can be there as we head for promotion!”

Nana is a family friend and stayed in Sudbury with Frankie’s dad however, they came to Southend every home game for the day.

“My dad took me to my first ever Southend game when I was around six or seven years old and I’ve been going ever since, even when I moved to York for uni he would travel up so we could go to all the away games up there,” she said.

“I have renewed my season ticket this year and my two-year-old daughter got her first season ticket too so we have been to every game and most of the away games too.”