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Retro - A look back on the 1986/87 season
August 1986
1986-1987 Having been relegated from the Gola League (rebranded the GM Vauxhall Conference for season 1986/87), Wanderers' expectations for their forthcoming season back in the Isthmian League (now the Vauxhall-Opel League) were raised following pre-season victories over three Conference sides, namely Enfield, Wealdstone and Sutton United. Those games also provided the Wycombe fans with the first opportunity to view the new signings made by Manager Alan Gane. In addition to the 'star' names of Noel Ashford and Keith Barrett, 'nicked' on the cheap from Enfield, fiesty centre forward Byron Walton had joined from Hayes, midfielder Kevin Durham from Oxford City, Paul Hackett from Aylesbury United and Andy Graham from Wealdstone. On the way out during the summer of 1986 were Simon Read, Steve Toll, Andy Harman, Roy Fairchild, Joe Blochel, Bob Dell and Anton Vircavs. Vircavs' move to Cheltenham Town had not been without controversy after the Bucks Free Press claimed he had been sold for 'half the asking price' of £5,000. The Club reluctantly responded by saying that 'it was as near the asking price as makes little difference'. Gane had also made changes to the backroom staff, bringing in John Reardon as Assistant in place of the 'sacked' JohnMaskell, Richard Teale as Coach and Dave Jones as Physio following Dace 'Shady' Springell's decision to leave the Club.

Further behind the scenes there were moves afoot to complete the conversion to a Limited Company. This followed on from the news in the summer that the initial plans to move the Club to Hillbottom Road had been refused by the local Council. Club Chairman Brian Lee, commenting through the Wycombe matchday programme on 16th August 1986, expressed his disappoint at the news but added that an appeal would be lodged. Speaking of playing matter Lee said, "If last season was an adventure then so is this new one but for different reasons for we now have more new faces at Loakes Park this year than I can ever remember." He added, "Last year was a disappointment but it must only be regarded as a setback in our ultimate plans to join the Football League." Lee went on to cite Wimbledon as an example of a Club who had progressed from non-League football to the top division of the English League.

Supporters forking out for a Season Ticket for the forthcoming campaign at Loakes Park were being asked to pay £25 for an adult, £9 for OAP and £18 for an under 16. Matchday entrance for League matches were £1.50 for adults, 50p for OAPS and £1 for under 16's. The matchday programme was 30p.

Wanderers official team photo August 1986
Back -left to right: Alan Gane (Manager), John Reardon (Assistant), Neal Stanley, Kevin Collins, Gary Lester, Trevor Bunting, Keith Barrett, Mark West, Graham Pearce, Dave Jones (Physio)
Front: Noel Ashford, Paul Hackett, Kevin Connolly, Byron Walton, Neil Price, Richard Blue, Chris Seagraves, Anthony Riley, Kevin Durham, Richard Teale (Coach)


As the start of the League campaign approached Alan Gane announced his strong desire to return to the Conference at the first attempt, commenting to the Bucks Free Press, "I think it is very important to the Club and its supporters that we have a successful season". But after the three pre-season victories over Conference opposition he added, "I am cautiously optimistic, nothing more. It's always difficult to start a new season with a relegated team. I knew I had to make a lot of changes and bring in new faces. I have brought in good quality players which I believe is important if we are to make a serious challenge." Wanderers had been named favourites to take the Isthmian League title, although they were closely followed by Yeovil Town who had been relegated from the Conference two years previous but had found there 'easy route' back not quite so easy. But Gane rubbished the idea that it was a two horse race, saying, "There are some very good sides in the Vauxhall-Opel League. You cannot discount clubs like Farnborough, Harrow and Wokingham - and Bognor are supposed to be a useful outfit. It is certainly not a forgone conclusion. It is difficult to say without knowing the opposition but I would expect seven or eight teams to be in the running."

Wycombe v Croydon - programme cover 16th August 1986The Isthmian League campaign opened with a home game against Croydon on Saturday 16th August 1986. The South London side had finished 4th the previous season and were considered to be no pushovers. The new look Wycombe side started slowly but took the lead on 15 minutes in controversial fashion when Croydon 'keeper Steve Dungey was penalised for handling outside his penalty area and as the visitors protested Mark West took a quick free-kick that Byron Walton slotted home. The goal fired up Croydon and they eventually equalised a minute into the second-half when Tony Boorman knocked in a rebound after Steve Milton's shot had been parried by Gary Lester. But Wanderers responded and regained the lead on 57 minutes when a Kevin Collins corner was glanced on by Noel Ashford and West poked home. 15 minutes from time it was Ashford again who was to set the pattern for the season when he fed a pass to Kevin Durham whose cross saw West convert again to give Wycombe a 3-1 victory. Wycombe line-up versus Croydon: Lester, Riley, Pearce, Bressington, Barrett, Hackett, Collins, Durham, Walton, Ashford, West - subs not used: Connelly, Stanley - Att: 806

The second game of the season on Tuesday 19th August 1986 saw Wanderers visit Kingstonian where a solitary goal from Mark West within the opening minute secured a 1-0 victory. The game was described by the Bucks Free Press reporter as a 'Big Yawn' and Manager Alan Gane agreed, commenting, "It wasn't very pretty...but at least we won. Last season we were losing these sort of games."

Mark West heads in the equaliser v Wathamstow at Green Pond LaneThe following Saturday 23rd August 1986 it was off to Green Pond Lane for another League encounter with Walthamstow Avenue and on a dreadful surface Wycombe had to come from behind to take the three points. John Neal proded past Gary Lester to make it 1-0 to the home side after seven minutes and only poor finishing prevented Avenue extending their lead. However, they were punished when Mark West scored his fourth goal in three games - heading home a Kevin Durham cross before the break. Noel Ashford then took the game by the scruff of its neck in the second half and set up Byron Walton to head home the winner. The result left Wycombe, along with Bishop's Stortford and Barking, as one of three teams on 100% League records.

With three straight League victories under their belts it was back to Loakes Park on Tuesday 26th August 1986 for the visit of Windsor & Eton. It was just two seasons previous that The Royalists had claimed to be top non-League club in Berks and Bucks but this time they were outclassed by a Wycombe side growing in confidence. Mark West was on target again with two more goals in a 4-1 victory that also included the first goal in a Wycombe shirt for Noel Ashford and one for the then transfer listed Neil Stanley. The attendance of 675 was marginally below the previous season's average in the Gola League.

Noel Ashford during his rare ten minute spell in goal for the WanderersThe month concluded with the visit of Bognor Regis Town to Loakes Park on Saturday 30th August 1986. Bognor included former England international Dave Thomas in their line-up and provided the toughest test of the season so far. In front of a crowd of 857 Wanderers retained their 100% start to the League campaign but the game will be better remembered for the fielding of three different goalkeepers in a Wycombe shirt. Wanderers had taken the lead on 12 minutes when Kevin Collins chested down a ball from Byron Walton before flicking past Alastair Sperring in the Bognor goal. The goalkeeping fiasco started 11 minutes in the seconf-half when Gary Lester had accidently been kicked just below the kidneys by Bognor's John Crumplin. Lester was coughing up blood as he was helped off the pitch and Noel Ashford took over in goal for ten minutes before Graham Bressington tried his luck for the remainder of the game (it was an experience that would stand Bressington in good stead for later in the season). Ashford was still in goal as Wycombe took a 2-0 lead on 63 minutes when Walton's free-kick was directed into his own net by Bognor's Graham Marriner (Bognor would be helping Wycombe out later in the season too.) The visitors grabbed a consolation goal seven minutes into stoppage time but Wanderers were good value for their 2-1 victory and ended the month with 15 points out of 15 and two points clear of second placed Barking. Soon to become rivals Yeovil Town were back in 5th place on 10 points but had a game in hand.

Part 2 - September 1986 - Good start continues before rivalry with Yeovil Town is born

1986-1987 index

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