SOUTHEND United supporter Andy Thorne has gone from standing in the North Bank to sponsoring it.

Thorne has been watching Blues for the past 40 years.

And he is delighted his company, Outstanding Branding, will now be the main sponsor of the stand.

“As a fan of 40 years and witnessing some of the greatest moments stood on the North Bank, it’s a proud moment for mine and Sarah Penn’s company Outstanding Branding to sponsor that very stand and also to rename it the Outstanding North Bank,” said Thorne.

“It was a rite of passage as you stood on the fringes of the main group behind the goal, as you grew older, came to know some of the faces with a nod of the head and moved closer to that hardcore group who surged when David Crown smashed one home or let loose in pure euphoria when we sung you are my Southend.

“When it’s safe to do so let’s bring back the Roots Hall roar, let’s bring back the Outstanding North Bank, Southend til I die .”