Fan since 1929, now that is achievement.

I know Frank and his family, he was a good friend of my father, but nice to see the club honour him.


FRANK BARRATT is a war hero, a 92-year-old who saw many of his friends fall beside him in a hail of bullets as his band of brothers landed in Algeria, ready to take on Rommel and his German forces in North Africa.

It is why today holds such resonance.

His regiment, the 56th Reconnaissance, suffered massive losses through the conflict and Frank recalls those awful days with sombre clarity seven decades later.

"On November 8, 1942 we sailed across the Mediterranean and anchored about a mile out from Algiers," he says. "We got in the landing craft and made for the beaches, but many didn't make it. We then set out for Tunis as fast as we could and fought the Germans there.

"I was so lucky, but others weren't. Mind you, I had a fortunate escape as one bullet ripped off the heel of my army boots.

"After Africa we went across to liberate Italy through Sicily. My regiment got carved up there and yet we made our way up through Italy, where I was fighting when the war finally ended in 1945."

Seven decades on Frank is in rude health to this day and admits that football and his love for all things Hull City has helped him.

Although his wartime service will always be with him, at least in the game he could find something to hold and cherish.

It is why he was invited to spend a day at the club's training ground to enjoy lunch with manager Steve Bruce's players and staff as part of Barclays' 'Thank You' campaign.

As he tucked into a hearty lunch, Frank recalled his lifetime of support for the Tigers.

"My first game was 1928, can't remember who it was against, but it was at the old Anlaby Road ground, near to where the current stadium is now. It was before Boothferry Park was even built," he said.

"After the war, I went to the first game at Boothferry against Lincoln in '46. Poor game, we only drew 1-1, but things are now getting so much better.

"Only a few years ago I was standing at Boothferry in the old Fourth Division with about 3,000 others and now we are playing the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal. We've come a long way in a very short space of time."

Bruce thoroughly enjoyed his time with Frank, who left the club's training ground with an armful of signed posters for his grandchildren.

He said: "I hope I look like that when I'm 92 but somehow I don't think I will be, especially after what happened to me at Sunderland!

"I've heard some incredible stories from Frank and to think, he went to his first game in 1928. Incredible, just incredible.

"His life story and especially what he did during the war is remarkable and as a club, if we can give just a little something back then we are doing our jobs. He's a wonderful old boy and it makes you feel very humble meeting a war hero like that.

"Those boys were so brave weren't they?

"In my day and Frank's day, all we ever did as kids was kid the ball around morning, noon and night, but it has all changed as you don't tend to see that in the street any longer. I've had the most wonderful life myself in the game so I've absolutely no complaints as football has given me a job from the age of 16.

"It has given me some great times, but to be fair to Frank, he has watched his club all those years and they have only spent four of them in the top flight. It's our job to change that and put this club on the map. To take this club up by its boot straps."

Bruce recently took the decision to open up Hull's training ground for supporters, a rarity these days, in an effort to connect more with the club's fans.

"I know what football means to the community, whether that is at Manchester United, Hull or Bury. It is part of the fabric that gels us all together. Allowing fans down to the training ground is part of that."

During lunch, Frank cast his eye on a tea mug which said: 'Hull's No1 Fan.'

"Steve, I'd like to buy one of those if I may," he said. "No, Frank, you can have one. Free of charge. You've earned a lot more than an old mug."


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/533868/Hull-Frank-Barratt-meets-Steve-Bruce

 

What an amazing man....makes me feel quite young . Well done Brucie for honouring him. Frank my respect to you Sir for your service and for your over 80 years of supporting our team.

 

Awesome bloke, lovely gesture from the club.

 

This ^^^^^

Bruce wanting to connect with the community is very positive too.

 

Emotional story. Really holds a deep resonance to the hope of that which can be achieved. History will eventually reveal posters from this forum that will be in Franks position one day. Only there won't be talk of WAR, only how the club rose like a phoenix. Watch this space....

 

Huge respect to Frank, certainly puts things into prespective.

 

Fabulous article....puts life into prospective.

 

I'm always humbled when I read or speak to people like Frank.

 

That is a lovely story, but Steve rambling on about Sunderland again is not only poor but despicable in the context its in, as if managing Sunderland was worse than fighting 3 years in the second world war.

 

Thanks for the photos OLM and thanks for finding the story John.
What a great story for today
Best wishes to you Frank and I hope you have many more years of good health

 

Hat, it was Bruce's attempt at a joke, poor one but a little off the cuff remark. Too quick to judge .

 

Great read, it was very humbling

 

I'm astonished there is still a supporter alive who went to the stadium at Anlaby Road..

Are there any pics if this ground?

 

Great read.