It’s been a while but Iain Dowie last night arranged for Micky Adams to return to Craven Cottage. The draw for the League/Carling Cup saw Mr Dowie draw Fulham to play League 2 Port Vale at the Cottage in just under 2 weeks.
Port Vale saw off our near-neighbours QPR in a shock 3-1 victory at Loftus Road and have been rewarded with another trip to SW London. Although Adams may not be quite as pleased to be coming back given that his tenure as manager was cut short in 1997 by the Chairman.
Since leaving Fulham Adams has managed a number of clubs. Roles at Swansea and Nottingham Forest can be quickly forgotten, but two spells at Brighton, during the first of which he signed an up and coming future England striker Bobby Zamora and, the following season, saw his efforts rewarded with ending as Division 3 Champions and promotion to Division 2. A later spell managing Leicester City saw Adams return to top flight management after just one season. The last few years haven’t seen much stability and Port Vale have only had Adams as gaffer for just over a year. Whilst I don’t fancy an upset this early in the League Cup (or at all, if possible) here’s wishing Micky all the very best for this season.
And let’s not forget his assistant at Vale, also coming home. One of my favourite players, Super Geoff Horsfield!!