ADKINS PRIDE AT ROYALS RESCUE

NIGEL ADKINS won promotion four times in six seasons with Southampton and Scunthorpe, but rates keeping Reading in business as his finest hour.

Now boss at Hull – who host his former club today – he saved the Royals from being dragged under by a financial crisis.

Adkins, in another survival scrap with the Tigers, said: ”There was no money. Despite having to pack the squad with academy kids, we only missed the playoffs on the final day of the season and then kept the club alive. That’s right up there as one of my best achievements.”