The financial struggles of Third Division crisis club Hull City have struck an emotional chord at Roots Hall.

Hull were locked out of their Boothferry Park ground by former Essex Wimbledon tennis star David Lloyd in a row over rent on Tuesday and were put into the hands an administrator by the High Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Southend United's football in the community officer Frankie Banks was born on Humberside and spent ten memorable years at Boothferry Park as a defender.

And Frankie, who also enjoyed two stints with the Shrimpers, is praying the Tigers resolve their problems.

"Hull are very dear to me and it sickens me to see what is happening up there," said the 55-year-old, who played more than 350 games for the Tigers.

"When I was a player at Hull in the old Second Division the ground would be packed as we played the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

"I enjoyed some of the best moments of my career at Boothferry Park and we regularly attracted 30,000 plus crowds.

"It's very sad to see what is happening at the moment and I hope Hull can pull themselves out of trouble."

And Frankie said all lower division clubs should taken notice of Hull's plight.

"Hull are a big city club with massive potential and if this can happen to them it can happen to anyone in the Third Division," he said.

"I don't know what has been happening. This situation may be down to poor administration, or because people have taken money out of the club over the years, without putting it back.

"But other clubs should take notice as there are plenty of sides around who are close to teetering over the brink Hull have fallen into."

However, Frankie is confident that a solution will be found for Hull's problems. "Hull have been in trouble for a long time now and maybe the whole situation needed to come to a head before it could get better," he added.

"Now the administrator can come in and sort things out once and for all, including the problems they are having with their ground."

Former Westcliff tennis star David Lloyd, the ex-British Davis Cup captain who now lives in Surrey, sold the club to businessmen but still owns Hull's stadium.

But he is refusing to let the Tigers stage this weekend's league match with Leyton Orient at Boothferry Park until he is paid £45,000 in owed rent.

Hull also survived a £500,000 customs and excise winding-up order in the High Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Frankie Banks - praying for Hull City's survival

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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