'Be proud', Sir Tom Courtenay tells Hull City
Hull City face Southampton in the Championship play-off final on 23 May at Wembley.
Sir Tom Courtenay is president of the Hull City Official Supporters Club [PA Media via Alamy] One of Hull's best-loved sons has told Hull City's players he has every faith in them ahead of their Championship play-off final at Wembley. Sergej Jakirovic's side are due to face Southampton on Saturday 23 May in what is described as the most lucrative match in football, with the winner joining Coventry and Ipswich in the Premier League next season. Sir Tom Courtenay, the acclaimed actor who has starred in multiple films - including the famous 1965 classic Doctor Zhivago - is president of the Hull City Official Supporters Club.
The 89-year-old said: "Football is exciting. It moves people. I have been impressed by this manager and players.
They should be proud of themselves. " Hull City will play Southampton in the Championship play-off final at Wembley after beating Millwall 2-0 in the semi-final second leg [Getty Images] Sir Tom said he has been impressed by Jakirovic, who arrived at the MKM Stadium in May 2025, replacing Ruben Selles as head coach. At the time, Hull City were facing the prospect of relegation to League One.
"I was impressed at the way the manager adjusted the team after the first leg [of the play-off semi-final against Millwall]. It really worked. " Southampton have been charged by the EFL with breaking rules over the so-called Spygate scandal and face a hearing of the Independent Disciplinary Commission on or before Tuesday.