Hull earn temporary reprieve

Little's future is in doubt

Hull City have been given a 14-day stay of execution after being put into administration.

The Tigers were in the High Court on Wednesday facing a winding-up order brought by Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue for an outstanding £500,000 VAT bill.

Hull are also believed to have debts of £1m and the appointment of Kroll Buchler Phillips as joint administrators could help save the club.

I am delighted that we have another two weeks to secure the future of the club

  Hull chairman Nick Buchanan

The administrators task will be to find potential investors to the club and secure funding for the remainder of the season.

Additionally, they will have to come to an agreement with David Lloyd, the landlord of Boothferry Park, so that Hull can play their upcoming games at the ground.

Mike Moore, from Kroll Buchler Phillips, said: "We intend that the club will continue to fulfil its obligations to the Football League during this period and that the club will trade as normal.

"The continued support of the local community and followers is crucial at this time."

Hull chairman Nick Buchanan was delighted with the decision.

He said: "This was one hurdle which we have managed to get over and I am delighted that we have another two weeks to secure the future of the club.

"The next hurdle now is negotiating with David Lloyd so we can get into the ground and fulfil our home fixture against Leyton Orient on Saturday."

The High Court ruling follows a number of years of financial problems for the club as well as wranglings the day prior to the court appearance.

I have no problem with them playing at our ground and I would be happy to help them

  Grimsby vice-chairman Brian Huxford

Former chairman Lloyd locked the club out of Boothferry Park, sparking fears that Saturday's home game against Leyton Orient would have to be postponed.

That threat was eased slightly by the news that Grimsby were willing to allow Hull to play the match at Blundell Park instead.

"Someone who is a leading light in Hull and who has an association with Hull City phoned me asking about the possibility of playing at Blundell Park on Saturday," said Grimsby vice-chairman Brian Huxford.

"I have no problem with them playing at our ground and I would be happy to help them out as I would hope that if anything like this happened to us they would do the same.

"I said both clubs would have to come to some arrangements before the game went ahead and so far I have not heard anything back."