With Fulham going nowhere fast in the Third Division in the winter of 1996, Ian Branfoot stepped aside to become General Manager, with Player-Coach Micky Adams taking on team responsibilities.
As a manager, Adams was an unknown quantity. His appearances as a player for Fulham had been restricted by injury, but in a long career with Gillingham, Coventry City, Leeds United, Southampton and Stoke City he had gained experience at every level.
After succeeding in his initial task of lifting the Club away from the depths of the Third Division table, he then led Fulham to a first promotion in 15 years in 1996/97, on a shoestring budget. We finished second to Wigan Athletic on goals scored alone, and would have finished as champions if the goal difference ruling of today was applied
Adams, however, had just eight games in charge the following season before he was replaced as new owner Mohamed Al Fayed outlined his high-profile ambitions for the Club.
