‘Michael Jordan motivated me to stop eating crisps and win the Championship play-off final’ Fulham captain explains how basketball legend inspired Wembley triumph

Tom Cairney skippered Fulham to victory in the 2020 Championship play-off final, inspired by the Chicago Bulls icon…

By Steven Chicken · Four Four Two

Published: Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 7:54 AM

Key Things to Know

Tom Cairney revealed Michael Jordan's documentary The Last Dance inspired him to regain fitness for Fulham's 2020 play-off triumph.
Manager Scott Parker screened clips from the documentary to Fulham players prior to the Championship play-off final.
Fulham secured promotion by defeating local rivals Brentford 2-1 after extra time at an empty Wembley Stadium.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Fulham captain Tom Cairney revealed that basketball icon Michael Jordan inspired him to regain fitness and lead his club to promotion in the 2020 Championship play-off final. Cairney explained that watching Jordan's documentary series The Last Dance during the COVID-19 pandemic motivated him to stop eating crisps, leave the sofa, and resume running ahead of the season's restart.

Manager Scott Parker also utilized clips from the documentary before the final at an empty Wembley Stadium, where Fulham defeated Brentford 2-1 after extra time. Cairney reflected on the bittersweet nature of the behind-closed-doors victory, noting that two-goal hero Joe Bryan and the club's supporters deserved to celebrate the triumph together.

Read the full article on Four Four Two