All the news stories from May 2002
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LADIES TEAM RUNNERS-UP
(Round-up 2001/2002)
Wycombe Wanderers Ladies have finished as runners up for the third successive season in Women's Regional Southern - Northern Division. See link for end of season round-up.
 Wanderers' Ladies - End of season round-up
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AYLESBURY FOR RESERVES
(Friday 31st May 2002)
Following our story on the possibility of the Club looking for a new home for the Reserves, the Club have confirmed that "advanced negotiations have taken place with Aylesbury United" for the use of Buckingham Road. The Club would have to pay Aylesbury a hire fee for each of the 12 Avon Insurance fixtures. |
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DIFFERENT DONS VIEWS
(Friday 31st May 2002)
Ivor Beeks says he against Wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes. He told the Bucks Free Press "I think it's wrong and it worries me. Perhaps they are a one off but I don't like to see clubs looking to start up again outside their area." Meanwhile, Wanderers' Chief Executive Simon Monkman said he would "reserve judgement on that one" when asked for his opinion during a BBC Radio Five Live phone-in on Thursday. |
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RESERVES KICKED OUT?
(Thursday 30th May 2002)
It's understood the Club are looking to a hire new home venue for Avon Insurance Combination games for the 2002/3 season and possibly onwards. The new 'Desso' surface at Adams Park needs time to 'bed-in' and the 12 home Reserve fixtures are considered too big a risk. The new home could be more than ten miles from Adams Park, with Aylesbury or Chesham favourites. |
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BAIRDY GOES WEST
(Wednesday 29th May 2002)
Former Wanderers striker Andy Baird has gone on trial at Exeter City. Grecians boss John Cornforth remembered 'Bairdy' from his own time at Adams Park and will take a closer look at his former teammate during their forthcoming three game tour of Finland. Andy Baird - Player profile
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SAFE AFTER SCARE
(Tuesday 28th May 2002)
The Club are claiming that the two year deal with Wasps will "secure the future of the club". This bold statement issued via the Club's official website comes less than a month after scare stories released through the local media had suggested that the Club had been "annihilated" by the demise of ITV Digital deal.
Wanderers 'Safe' not 'Annihilated' - Full story
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DONS SET FOR BUCKS?
(Tuesday 28th May 2002)
Wimbledon have been given the all-clear to move to Milton Keynes following an independent commission ruling instigated by the Football Association. The proposal, first muted in January 2001, was originally ruled out by the Football League and condemned by many Dons fans who say a move back to Plough Lane is still viable. Wimbledon - Quick Guide
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CHELTENHAM LOSE BOSS
(Monday 27th May 2002)
Steve Cotterill has been announced as the new Manager of Division Two Play-off winners Stoke City. The 37 year old leaves Cheltenham Town after five years where he guided them through promotion to the Football League and into Division Two via this season's play-offs. Cotterill is a long standing friend of Lawrie Sanchez and turned down the assistant manager's job at Adams Park back in 1999. |
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SCOTLAND TOUR UPDATE
(Friday 24th May 2002)
Dumbarton have stepped in as Wycombe's opponents for a pre-season friendly in Scotland on Saturday 27th July (kick-off 3pm). Apparently the Club are still looking a second game, possibly to be arranged for Monday 29th July. |
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CLUB PLAN OPEN DAY
(Friday 24th May 2002)
The Club are planning an open day at Adams Park to allow fans the chance to see the latest improvements to the stadium, as well as meeting the squad and staff. It will be the fourth such day held since they were first introduced in 1996. |
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PHELAN JOINS HAYES
(Thursday 23rd May 2002)
Leeyon Phelan has joined Ryman League Hayes. The 19 year old former Wanderers Youth Teamer left Wycombe after becoming disillusioned with his prospects at Adams Park coupled with an alleged bust up with the coaching staff.
Leeyon Phelan - Player Profile
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COUNCIL GIVE WASPS OK
(Monday 20th May 2002)
Wycombe District Council voted overwhelmingly to let Wasps Rugby Club play at Adams Park next season following a meeting on Monday evening. Permission was granted for a two year period subject to the implementation of the 'Travel Plan'.
Wasps given OK for move to Wycombe
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CLUB LAUNCH TRAVEL PLAN
(Monday 20th May 2002)
The Club have released a travel plan to help ease through the planning application for Rugby at Adams Park. Councillors voted on Monday evening where as expected the application was given the OK. See link for full story
Wanderers launch travel plan to ease in Wasps
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RUGBY MOVE OPPOSED
(Saturday 18th May 2002)
The Club have been accused of 'emotional blackmail' and infringing 'human rights' over the move to bring Wasps Rugby to Adams Park. The Sands Residents Association have spoken out strongly against the proposal prior to the planning meeting on Monday (20th May 2002). See link for full story
Local residents oppose Wasps to Wycombe move
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SCOTS NOT RULED OUT BY FL
(Saturday 18th May 2002)
The possibility of Celtic or Rangers joining the Football League has not been ruled out following a meeting of League Chairman on Friday. It was confirmed that talks had taken place but the controversial move was dismissed for the 2002/3 season. |
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PRESS PLAY CATCH UP
(Friday 17th May 2002)
The Bucks Free Press are claiming to EXCLUSIVELY REVEAL that 'WASPS SAY YES TO BLUES'. However the story merely states that if Wycombe District Council pass the planning application on Monday then Wasps will chose to come to Adams Park. Wasps new Chief Executive Alistair McLean confirmed this well known fact by saying "Subject to Council approval it is a done deal. We want to come to Wycombe".
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KEEP OFF THE 'GRASS'
(Friday 17th May 2002)
Wanderers have turned down potentially lucrative home friendlies with Spurs, Watford and Coventry City to protect their new 'desso' pitch. Last season Wycombe played in front of full house against Spurs where gate receipts and other matchday income brought in close to £100,000.
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BUSY COUNCIL MEETING
(Thursday 16th May 2002)
The planning meeting at Wycombe District Council on Monday 20th May to discuss playing rugby at Adams Park will also include other ongoing planning applications by the Club. It's expected that the Club Shop and clarification of use of the Upper Tier Car Park will also be debated.
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PROGRAMME GOES UP
(Thursday 16th May 2002)
Wanderers' Matchday programme will be expanded to 60 pages next season and will cost £2.50. The Club have held the price at £2 for the past four seasons but are now going with eight extra pages and a thicker glossy cover. Programme retro
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FL BEGIN LEGAL ACTION
(Tuesday 14th May 2002)
The Football League have said they have begun legal action against Carlton, Granada and ITV for the £178.5m oustanding monies from the failed ITV Digital sponsorship. The League have accepted that the deal is dead and have now withdrawn all media rights granted under the present contract. Many club's have justified ticket price increases on the strength of their expected shortfall in revenue. Wanderers were set to receive a further £366,000 over the next two seasons.
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WASPS WAITING FOR WDC
(Monday 13th May 2002)
Wycombe District Council will meet in a week's time to decide on whether rugby can be played at Adams Park. Wasps director Charles Levison has commented in the Oxford press "I think it's fair to say that if the council votes in favour of rugby, Wasps will be going to Wycombe. If they don't we'll be coming to Oxford."
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THE NUMBERS GAME
(Monday 13th May 2002)
Wanderers' squad numbers could be in for a re-shuffle for the start of the 2002/3 campaign. Recent departures have meant that six of the first XI numbers are up for grabs. Darren Currie is favourite to be allocated the No.7 shirt previously worn by Dave Carroll. 2,4,6,9 and 11 are the other numbers now available. |
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SCOTS RUMOUR DENIED
(Sunday 12th May 2002)
Football League Chief Executive David Burns has described reports that Celtic and Rangers are set to be invited to join the Football League as "absolute rubbish". The League Board, including Wycombe's Chairman Ivor Beeks, meet this Thursday but Burns says that such a proposal is not on the agenda. |
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SANCH HAPPY FOR STOKE
(Saturday 11th May 2002)
Lawrie Sanchez will have been happy with Stoke City's 2-0 victory over Brentford in Saturday's Division Two Play-Off Final. Sanchez saw The Potters as a bigger threat to Wycombe next season and predicts that Brentford will now finish below The Wanderers in 2002/3 having missed out at Cardiff. |
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WDC TO FAST TRACK RUGBY
(Friday 10th May 2002)
Wycombe District Council have agreed to bring forward the planning meeting to discuss rugby at Adams Park to Monday 20th May after the Rugby Football Union informed Wasps they need a decision by Tuesday 21st May on their home base for next season. Full story now available via link
Wycombe Council to fast track Wasps move
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PITCH WORK UNDERWAY
(Thursday 9th May 2002)
Work has started on the £500,000 project to install undersoil heating and a hard wearing 'desso' pitch at Adams Park. The existing grass surface has been completely removed and will used at the Club's training ground at Booker. See gallery for picture update Picture Gallery - Pitch Summer 2002 |
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TED MISSES CANADA CALL-UP
(Tuesday 7th May 2002)
Mark Rogers has missed out on being selected for the 16 man Canadian squad to face Switzerland in St Gallen on Wednesday 15th May. Only Wigan Athletic defender Jason deVos and Everton striker Tomasz Radzinski are those selected from English clubs for this friendly. Rogers was part of the 22 man squad that came third in CONCACAF Cup last season. |
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MAGPIES TAKE B&B AT AP
(Monday 6th May 2002)
Maidenhead United beat Chesham United 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to take the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup played at Adams Park on Holiday Monday. The game had finished 0-0 after extra-time.
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CHELTENHAM UP TO DIV 2
(Monday 6th May 2002)
Martyn Lee was an unused substitute for Cheltenham Town as they overcame Rushden & Diamonds 3-1 in the Division Three Play-Off final at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff. The result means that Wycombe will meet Cheltenham for the first time at League level since the 1991/92 Conference season. |
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CLUB SPIN OUT OF CONTROL
(Friday 3rd May 2002)
Many Wanderers' fans are unhappy with comments being attributed to Club Officials regarding the recently announced price rises. Chief Executive is claiming that prices have been 'pegged' for the previous three years while Supporters Groups say they have not been consulted. See link for full story.
Wycombe fans raging at Club spin on price rises
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WASPS CAN'T WAIT
(Friday 3rd May 2002)
The Bucks Free Press is reporting that Wasps may not wait until the 29th May planning meeting to discuss rugby at Adams Park and are now in further discussions with Oxford United on a possible move to their Kassam Stadium. Wanderers Directors are furious about the matter and have also criticised the council.
 Bucks Free Press story - 3rd May 2002
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LAST ON THE GRASS
Adams Park will stage its last game on real grass on Monday 6th May when Chesham United take on Maidenhead United in the final of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup, kick-off 3pm. The following day work will start on the £500,000 hard wearing 'desso' style pitch and undersoil heating system. |
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ITV DIGITAL GOES BLANK
(Wednesday 1st May 2002)
ITV Digital subscribers were faced with blank screens from 7am on Wednesday 1st May. All pay services on the ITV Digital network have been switched off but the live broadcasts of the remaining play-off matches on the Sports Channel will now be transferred to a free to air service. |
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