EX-BOSS OFF TO CELTIC
(Thursday 1st June 2000)
O'Neill - picture copyright Chairboys on the NetThe incredible story of ex-Wycombe Manager Martin O'Neill moved into another chapter with the news that Scottish giants Celtic had finally got their man. 

O'Neill spent the previous weekend deliberating over the move to Parkhead and finally announced his decision at a press conference in Glasgow on Thursday evening.

Speaking at the press conference O'Neill said "I'm absolutely delighted to be Manager of this very famous Football Club..it's a job close to my heart."

The Leicester Chairman, John Elsom, made a last ditch bid to keep O'Neill with the Premiership side on Tuesday but O'Neill remained unswayed. The Irishman spent just over four years at Filbert Street - taking them to a Division One play-off success and two League cup victories.

His well documented stay at Wycombe lasted five years where he guided the Wanderers through the most successful period in the Club's history.
When O'Neill joined Wycombe in February 1990, The club were a mid-table Conference side with gates averaging just over the 1,500 mark. When he departed for Norwich at the end of the 1994/95 season, Wycombe had reached Football League Division Two and were enjoying gates of close to 6,000. Throw in three Wembley finals on the way and you have an era that only dreams are made of. O'Neill turned down job offers from Nottingham Forest and, ironically, several attempts by Leicester to lure him from Adams Park before he made his way to Carrow Road.
O'Neill's time at Wycombe - Five incredible years
February 1990 O'Neill joins Wycombe after being spotted in a loo at Carrow Road by Wanderers Director Alan Parry.
May 1990 Wanderers finish the season in 10th place in the Conference and win the Berks and Berks Senior Cup.
August 1990 Wycombe move to Adams Park with the opening game against a former O'Neill club, Nottingham Forest.
February 1991 Leicester City try to 'headhunt' O'Neill as a replacement for David Pleat.
May 1991 O'Neill leads The Wanderers out at Wembley as Kidderminster are beaten in the FA Trophy Final.
June 1991 O'Neill turns down the Manager's job at Bristol Rovers. He says "I've got a nonsensical little dream about this club at Wycombe..and get them into the Football League".
May 1992 Wanderers are edged out of promotion to the Football League by rivals Colchester United - finishing level on points but with an inferior goal difference.
December 1992 Wycombe gain national press coverage thanks to two memorable cup ties against West Brom. 4,500 Wycombe fans see a late Bob Taylor goal snatch it for The Baggies.
April 1993 O'Neill's dream comes true as Wycombe clinch promotion to the Football League with 5-1 victory over Runcorn at Adams Park - including a breathtaking goal from Steve Guppy.
May 1993 O'Neill's boys complete the non-League double at Wembley - Runcorn again the victims in the FA Trophy.
May 1993 Nottingham Forest offer O'Neill the Manager's job but he stays loyal to Wycombe.
August 1993 Wycombe draw 2-2 in their first ever Football League fixture - away to Carlisle United.
April 1994 After being in an automatic promotion place for most of the season, Wycombe finish fourth and enter the play-offs for a place in Division Two.
May 1994 O'Neill makes it a hat-trick of Wembley victories with a memorable 4-2 victory over Preston North End. Wycombe fans still talk about 'that Dave Carroll goal'.
August 1994 O'Neill falls out with Steve Guppy and his agent - Guppy eventually ends up at Newcastle United for a giveaway £150,000.
December 1994 Leicester City are given the cold shoulder by O'Neill again as the Irishman refuses to leave The Wanderers with a 'job unfinished'.
May 1995 Wycombe finish in sixth place in Division Two but miss out on the play-offs due to the restructuring of the Football League.
May 1995 A series of fall-outs with members of the Wanderers' Board leaves O'Neill disillusioned and after being told that Norwich City are interested he eventually moves to Carrow Road.


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