Hull City are just days away from the biggest match in their recent history, and they have a very special supporter in their corner. Sir Tom Courtenay, the legendary actor and lifelong Tigers fan, has sent a heartfelt message to the squad ahead of Saturday's Championship play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.

"Football is exciting. It moves people," said the 89-year-old star of Doctor Zhivago and The Dresser. "I have been impressed by this manager and players. They should be proud of themselves."

The stakes couldn't be higher. Sergej Jakirovic's side are aiming to join Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, with the winner of this clash securing a golden ticket to England's top flight. For a club that was staring at relegation to League One just a year ago, it's been a remarkable turnaround.

Sir Tom, who serves as president of the Hull City Official Supporters Club, has been particularly impressed by how Jakirovic turned things around after taking over at the MKM Stadium in May 2025. "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," he said.

However, the build-up hasn't been without drama. Southampton have been charged by the EFL over the so-called "Spygate" scandal, with an Independent Disciplinary Commission hearing scheduled for Tuesday. While the EFL is proceeding as if the final will go ahead as planned, there's a slim chance the showpiece could be postponed.

Assuming the Tigers do face the Saints, Sir Tom knows it will take a monumental effort. Southampton have already shown their quality this season, beating Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals before narrowly losing 2-1 to Manchester City in the semi-final. "They will be a tough side to beat," he warned.

For Sir Tom, this match is the culmination of a love affair that began over 80 years ago. He still vividly remembers his first Hull City game at the old Boothferry Park in 1945. "It was straight after the Second World War. I was eight years old, and I went with my dad," he recalled. Now, as the Tigers prepare for their biggest day in decades, that eight-year-old boy's passion is still burning strong.