Graeme Jones expects Fulham to get promoted this term, but says he has fond memories of going to Craven Cottage, including meeting late pop star Michael Jackson.
The fallen idol had a dodgy statue posthumously erected at the London stadium in 2011 during the ownership of former Harrods boss Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Jones said: “I met Michael Jackson there, I’ve got a photograph to prove it.”
While the Cottagers may no longer have the patronage of infamous musicians, they are fancied to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, knowshow hard a task awaits Town, despite despatching in-form Bristol City on Saturday, while the Londoners lost to Stoke City.
“There’s no way I’m sitting here and underestimating Fulham. Absolutely no chance,” Jones said.
“They are a top team. I expect them to get promoted. This is one of the most difficult games of the season, going to Craven Cottage. I’ve been there with Everton and Wigan so I know from experience.”
Jones also recalled how he scored at Fulham while play up front with his Luton assistant for Doncaster, in a strike-force he labelled ‘JAB’ – Jones and Brabin
He said: “I’ve been there as a player. Me and Brabs played there together. I know what Craven Cottage is.
“Brabs will tell you this story, that we won their 2-0 with Doncaster and me and him scored a goal each in the JAB front-line of Jones and Brabin, as we were nicknamed at the time.
“I think Brabs will tell you he played the number ten role but if he was my number ten, he was certainly no Izzy Brown.
“It’s a long time ago now and they are a very different club to what they were then, but I’ve played there when Kevin Keegan was manager and I was at Wigan. I know the environment. Chris Coleman was centre half.
“I’ve got good memories of Fulham, really, but it’s a really difficult place to go. I’ve got total respect for the football club, I’ve got total resect for the manager. The staff and the players are Premier League quality and we need to be ready.”
