FORMER Hull FC star Steve Prescott believes his old club have every chance of going all the way to the Grand Final.

And he's tipped his friend and old team-mate Sean Long to be the key man in leading the Black and Whites' charge to glory.

Prescott, who made 99 appearances for Hull in two stints at the club, played alongside Long for St Helens back in 1997.

And after watching as the young scrum-half went on to become one of Super League's all-time greats, Prescott is convinced Long has the X factor which Hull have lacked in recent years to make them real contenders.

"I've been saying for years the missing link in the Hull team has been the lack of a quality half-back who can take the team around the field," Prescott told the Mail.

"Look at what Sean Long did at St Helens. He was the man who controlled everything there and look at how many trophies they won with him. Longy was a big part of that.

"Hull have had a lot of injuries this year, Sean has been out for a while and he's a big ball player which Hull have missed this year.

"But the important thing is they have coped, he's now back and they are in there fighting and for me, have a good chance of going all the way."

Prescott still remains a fans' favourite at Hull, with his reputation enhanced further by his courageous response to being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Dedicating his life to raising money for charity, he's about to undertake his latest mammoth task of completing five marathons in five days.

Starting at the KC Stadium, Prescott says the support he always receives from the rugby fans in Hull touches him dearly.

"I love the place, " he said.