Fulham captain Tom Cairney told the BBC that he hopes to extend his ten-year stay at Craven Cottage after coming off the bench to turnaround their derby at Brentford this afternoon.
The Scottish international nodded in Kenny Tete’s cross to bring Marco Silva’s side level before another world-class winner from Harry Wilson completed a comeback for the ages two minutes later. An emotional Cairney told Match of the Day after the final whistle:
I’ve been through a lot here, through a lot with the fans. It was an incredible moment when I scored. It’s a special bond.”
Speaking about his contractual situation, the peerless playmaker added:
“Nothing is sorted yet. Next week is my final game for Fulham. Hopefully it’s not. In football, sometimes things go to the last minute and hopefully it’s not my final time at Craven Cottage next weekend.”
It will be a sad day when he eventually leaves, another season would be good though, if not entirely financially prudent.
We owe Tom a lot,a great pro footballer,surely he would be a great asset to help develope the younger players, of which we have quite a few coming through .
He has been one of my favourite Fulham players and I think he deserves another season which is more than I can say for ESR .
UI would prefer to retain TC for another season even though he will only be used as a substitute. He always gives 100% and he is a a Fulham man through and through. More than I can say for ESR who is looking to be a very expensive mistake
Tom Cairney legend
TC turned the game today. Great composure, calmed the game down and made some terrific passes to go with his goal. Proved today that he’s very much still got it and that we should hang onto him.
Tom Cairney MBE or it should be. As a lifelong Fulham fan, you will be remembered by thousands of us as a truly loyal and wonderful player and guy. Your commitment to our club is undeniable. You should be awarded at least another season as a player and then taken on in a coaching position with us. Get your badges and become a future Fulham manager. COYW.
Great “servant”. It sounds as though he is either hoping for better pay or a longer deal than just twelve months.
Today, he rolled back the years with a vintage display in the 45 minutes that he was allotted.
Therein lies the real problem, I assume. He has become a bit part player and, in the twilight of his career, does he want to continue in that type of role or grab a last year or two playing regular football elsewhere.
On his day, he’s a better quality player than either Pereira or Smith Rowe IMO.
Tom has been a mainstay of the club for a decade, something which is increasingly rare. He’s always given his all and has scored and set up some cracking goals for us.
He’s never complained about his contract, the recent lack of playing time, agitated for a move when we got relegated, or acted like a t**t in public, in the press or on the field. He’s been a model professional and a credit to himself and FFC. Plus he always comes across as being a completely genuine, nice bloke.
I appreciate that there’s no room for sentiment in football, but it would seem harsh to kick him out of the door after all he’s done for us. I would hope that we could keep him on in an ambassadorial role and get him on the coaching staff or media duties. Personally I’d like to see him get another year and work at bringing on some of the younger lads, helping them deal with the spotlight and developing their game, or just being a positive influence in the dressing room.
I hope he stays in some capacity but if not, then I hope he finds somewhere that he’s appreciated as much as he is at the Cottage.
A modern day legend and the young uns will be talking about him in years to come as one the dying breed of players who show loyalty to the club instead of chasing the dollar.
My take is that even though his minutes have been very limited for a few seasons, he has more to offer behind the scenes. He’s shown us loyalty through thick(ish) and thin and I think we, as a club, owe him some loyalty in return.
If he goes, I’ll miss that sweet left foot and his vision in picking out a pass. Hell, he even messed his hair up heading that goal yesterday. That’s commitment to the cause!
You can keep your Fabios, Elliotts, Mitros etc, fickle motherlovers who do one as soon as someone waves a cheque at them. I’d rather have a TC type player at the club, who actually cares.
He’s written himself into club history. Top lad.
Franco, thank-you.
You have summed up my thoughts perfectly. 100 %