Shared Shirts: Tom Cairney

Beginning his professional career at Hull City before having a productive spell at Blackburn Rovers, we caught up with current Fulham captain Tom Cairney on his time with the two clubs.

Scoring on his professional debut v Southend United:

Being named the club’s Young Player of the Year for the 2008/09 season, which saw Cairney being rewarded with a two-year professional contract in June 2009, also began the midfielder’s rapid rise into the first team.

Featuring in the Premier League Asia Trophy, Cairney made his first-team debut on 25 August 2009 in a League Cup second round tie at home to Southend United. Seven minutes into the test, the then-18-year-old netted his first senior goal when producing a fine curling finish from range in a 3-1 win.

“I remember it [the goal] being very early; I don’t know what minute it was, but it was one of my first touches. It was outside of the box, reversal, but it was just a great moment to make my debut. What I do remember was Geovanni coming on and then the Southend players complaining; that’s what I do remember! It was a special moment and to score on my debut was brilliant.”

Scoring his first Premier League Goal v Everton:

The date of 7 March 2010 is also a memorable one for the midfielder. With City a goal down at Goodison Park, Cairney stepped up and scored an equaliser when arrowing his left-footed half volley into the bottom corner. The Tigers would succumb to a 5-1 defeat, but for the young midfielder, it was a moment to remember.

“It didn’t turn out to be a good day result wise, but scoring as a teenager in the Premier League was incredible. It was a crazy season for me personally, even though I think as a team, we really struggled. Looking back on it, it was an amazing time and I had some good senior pros to look after me like Nick Barmby, Andy Dawson, Ian Ashbee and Dean Windass, so I had a good strong upbringing while keeping my feet on the floor.”

Winning 2013/14 Player of the Year at Blackburn Rovers:

Six goals and nine assists in 40 appearances saw the Blackburn faithful vote Cairney their Player of the Year for the 2013/14 campaign, an award he was surprised but honoured to win.

“It was weird, because I don’t think I was playing in my natural position as I was playing right wing, so to get Player of the Year as a right winger was something I never expected. I was like a poor man’s (Riyad) Mahrez!” joked Cairney. “It was brilliant to win the award. I think I started really well and it just carried on from there really.”