Adams: Michael Richard (Micky)

1987-1989 (Player Details)

Left Back

Born: Sheffield: 08-11-1961

Debut: v Blackburn Rovers (h): 24-01-1987

5’7” 10st. 10lb (1987)

After playing for Sheffield Boys and signing for Sheffield United on schoolboy forms, he started as an apprentice with Gillingham, turning professional in 1979 and winning England Youth honours. He was bought by Coventry City for £75,000 in July 1983, after making eighty-five starts and seven substitute League appearances for the Gills, in which he scored five goals. He also made a further eleven appearances in Cup competitions while at Priestfield Stadium. He made a similar eighty-five League appearances at Highfield Road with a further five games from the bench and scored five goals, while in Cup competitions he scored once in eleven starts. He moved to Leeds for £110,000 in January 1987. Within ten weeks he was playing against his old team in the F.A. Cup Semi-Final at Hillsborough. Adams found favour with the Leeds fans as he swept United to victory against Wigan Athletic, when he scored with a long range shot. While equally adept on the left wing, he operated primarily at left back until moving to Southampton on 14th March 1989 for £250,000. He scored seven goals in one hundred and forty-one League starts and three games as a substitute, as well as another thirty games in the Cups and other games, before he left Southampton in March 1994 for Stoke City, on a free transfer. His stay there was a brief four months, in which he scored three times in ten League games, before joining Fulham as Player-Coach and later Player-Manager in February 1996, being the youngest Manager in the League. He didn't hang up his boots, but used himself sparingly, scoring eight times in twenty-nine League games, which included four from the bench, and scored a further five goals in eight Cup and other games. With the advent of Mohammed Al Fayed he was dismissed in favour of Kevin Keegan in September 1997. He later Managed Swansea City (1997), Brentford (1997-98), and temporarily took charge at Nottingham Forest in January 1999, before moving to Brighton (1999-2001) and then finally finding success at Leicester City (2002-2004). He took over at Coventry City in January 2005, staying until January 2007. He became Assistant Manager at Colchester United in July 2007, leaving in January 2008. He returned to again became Manager of Brighton in May 2008, but left in February 2009. He was not out of work for long joining Port Vale in June 2009 and was still the incumbent at the start of the 2010-11 season.