Fulham Football Club is hoping to unveil a statue of the player known as the 'Maestro' near their ground.

The memorial to legend Johnny Haynes, who died three years ago, will be built outside Craven Cottage in Stevenage Road, if Hammersmith and Fulham Council grants planning permission.

Haynes was famous for being the first player to benefit from the abolition of the maximum wage in 1961, when Fulham manager Tommy Trinder announced: "Johnny Haynes is a top entertainer and should be paid as one from now on. I will give him £100 a week to play for Fulham."

The inside forward played for 18 years at Fulham since making his debut in 1952 and scored 158 goals in 658 league and cup appearances for the club. He also scored 18 goals for England.

A Fulham FC spokeswoman was unable to say what form the statue would take, but added: "Our chairman is entirely supportive and has commissioned his personal designer to help with the project. "It will be a fitting tribute."

Mr Haynes died aged 71 in hospital on October 18, 2005, following a car accident.