AIN'T NOBODY LIKE TOM CARNEY

FFT featured Tom Cairney in Boy’s A Bit Special in 2010 – he’s since become a Fulham legend, reaching a decade at the club. As he tells us, there have been plenty of ups and downs – quite literally...

- Words James Andrew

When Tom Cairney joined Fulham from Blackburn for £3 million in June 2015, his new club were in a mess. Recently relegated from the Premier League under Felix Magath, the Cottagers had just finished 17th in the Championship and were in danger of sinking further down the leagues. The fanbase felt disconnected and in need of a player who could give them hope.

Cairney proved to be that player. This summer, the club captain hit a decade at Craven Cottage, with Fulham settled in the Premier League once again and supporters even calling for a statue to be built in his honour. Few players stay at one club for so long these days, which makes his contribution all the more impressive during 10 dramatic years that produced a small matter of three promotions and two relegations. Now, the 34-year-old is ready to talk through it all with FFT...

2015-16

MANAGER: Kit Symons/Slavisa Jokanovic

POSITION: 20th (Championship)

"When I signed for Fulham, I said it was a Premier League club - they'd always been in the top tier when I was growing up and that was where I wanted to get back to with the club. It was Fulham's second season out of the top flight and there was a lot of chaos happening, on and off the pitch. We played Bristol City at home in what felt like a must-win game in March - Lee Tomlin scored a last-minute free kick and that defeat left us one point above the relegation zone. I was definitely worried we might be relegated to League One - I'd come from Blackburn and they were doing all right that season, so I did worry if I'd made the wrong decision. Luckily, we hung in there and survived."

2016-17

MANAGER: Slavisa Jokanovic

POSITION: 6th (Championship) - Beaten in playoff semifinals