All the news stories from December 2002
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DEVINE ULTIMATUM
(Tuesday 31st December 2002)
Wanderers have given Exeter City seven days to agree a 'Pay as you play' deal for Sean Devine. However, Devine still believes he has something to offer at Wycombe and expects to stay. He told the local press "Whether I get the chance with Wycombe is down to the gaffer. I've told him I'll give him 100% while I'm here and see what happens at the end of the season" |
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DEVINE DEAL AGREED
(Tuesday 31st December 2002)
The Club say a 'Pay as you play' deal with Exeter City has been agreed for Sean Devine although the paperwork has yet to be completed. Devine is leaving Wycombe after a fallout with the Wycombe Manager Lawrie Manager. The Club are also citing footballing and financial reasons behind the move. |
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TALIA DEAL EXTENDED AGAIN
(Tuesday 31st December 2002)
Frank Talia has agreed another one month extension to his contract at Wycombe that was due to expire in the second week of January. The extension has been prompted by the news that Martin Taylor is likely to be out for the remainder of January. |
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SANCHEZ ON DEVINE
(Tuesday 31st December 2002)
Lawrie Sanchez says he is willing to give Sean Devine a chance if the move with Exeter falls through. Sanchez, who ranks Devine as his third choice striker, told the BFP Midweek "I've got no problem with Sean. If he comes back he'll be part of our plans. But there are no guarantees beyond the end of this season that we'd be able to offer the him the same deal he's on at the moment"
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WYCOMBE 1 LUTON 2
(Saturday 28th December 2002)
Wanderers miserable run of results continued with a fifth home defeat of the season, this time losing 2-1 to 6th placed Luton Town. Jonny Dixon scored again for Wycombe but Wanderers already trailed 2-0. Despite the defeat Wycombe move up in a place in the league to 13th.
 Wycombe 1 Luton 2 - Match report |
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DEVINE FEE WAS £50,000
(Saturday 28th December 2002)
Wanderers would have been guaranteed just £50,000 for Sean Devine's proposed transfer to Exeter according to the Bucks Free Press. An additional £25,000 would have been due if the Grecians stayed up plus £5,000 related to appearances. Wanderers Chairman Ivor Beeks is currently negotiating a 'Pay as you play' deal. More on this story to follow |
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DIXON ON DEVINE
(Saturday 28th December 2002)
Wanderers Youth prospect Jonny Dixon has spoken out about being asked to wear Sean Devine's hastily modified No.10 shirt in the game at Cheltenham. He told the BFP "I didn't want to wear Sean's shirt. I didn't feel it was right. I felt uncomfortable wearing it. I felt I couldn't do the shirt justice" Devine trained with the Youth Teamers during his comeback from injury and Dixon added "Sean's been brilliant for me. He's been one of my biggest mentors. I've learned a lot from him and I'll miss him" |
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SANCHEZ FIRES BACK
(Friday 27th December 2002)
Lawrie Sanchez has hit back at his recent vocal critics. He told BBC 3C Radio after the QPR game "They don't know the facts do they? People sit there and spout out, henpecked at home, come to football matches and then they think they know what they are doing." He added "Too many people want to manage this club, I'm the manager of this club. If they want to support, come and support, if they want to come and give everyone a hard time then stay at home and be henpecked" |
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DEVINE DOESN'T WANT LOAN
(Friday 27th December 2002 - 6pm)
Sean Devine says he doesn't want to go loan at Exeter following the breakdown of a permanent move. He told the Exeter press "There is nothing wrong with my knee, it's 100 per cent fine. He went on to add "I might as well stay where I am in a higher league where I'm scoring goals and in the shop window. I am still interested in coming to Exeter, but I am not doing the chasing anymore." |
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QPR 2 WYCOMBE 1
(Thursday 26th December 2002)
Jonny Dixon scored on his full Football League debut but two sloppy goals conceeded in the first half saw Wanderers go down to a Rangers side without a League win in ten.
QPR 2 Wycombe 1 - Match report
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DEVINE DEAL OFF?
(Tuesday 24th December 2002 - 5pm)
Sean Devine's transfer to Exeter City looks to be off after The Grecian's Club Doctor recommended against a permanent transfer following results from a scan on the knee that kept the player out for 18 months. City are now suggesting a loan move as this messy saga now enters its second week. |
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CITY DELAY OVER DEVINE
(Monday 23rd December 2002)
Sean Devine's proposed move to Exeter has hit another snag after the City Board of Directors were split on sanctioning funding of the deal. City joint owner Mike Lewis told the local Exeter press "We want to bring the lad here but we're not going to fall out with half the board to do it." Devine was expected to continue talks with City on Monday in an effort to iron out the deal. Grecian's Co-Chairman Uri Geller has been involved in the transfer talks and is also offering to partly fund the signing. |
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CHELTENHAM 0 WYCOMBE 0
(Saturday 21st December 2002)
Wanderers returned from the visit to second from bottom Cheltenham with a point after a fairly uninspiring 0-0 draw. As expected Sean Devine was completely absence from the squad and he's now expected to complete his move to Exeter City on Monday. Wycombe are now 14th place in Division Two.
Cheltenham Town 0 Wycombe 0 - Match report
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DEVINE REVEALS FALLOUT
(Friday 20th December 2002 - 2pm)
Sean Devine has revealed to the Exeter Express & Echo newspaper that he has fallen out with Manager Lawrie Sanchez. He was quoted as saying "I've not been getting on with the manager and I just want to get away." The move will hinge on City Board meeting on Saturday morning but the fee will nothing like the £80,000 figure quoted in the press earlier in the week. |
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DEVINE MOVE ON HOLD
(Friday 20th December 2002)
Sean Devine's proposed transfer to Exeter is on hold after The Grecians only offered the striker an 18 month deal with a one year option. Devine will make a decision by Monday. Fans have been confused over the reason for the move following a series of conflicting statements from the Club. Chairman Ivor Beeks commented to the BFP "If he hadn’t scored those two goals on Saturday it wouldn’t have created such a fuss"
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BEEKS BACKS SANCHEZ
(Friday 20th December 2002)
Wanderers' Chairman Ivor Beeks has give Lawrie Sanchez a vote of confidence via the Bucks Free Press. He said “We’re contented Lawrie Sanchez will see us through and move us on. He is the same person that took us to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and kept us away from relegation and he’s done it without being able to spend any money. Players don’t become bad players overnight and neither do managers”
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DEVINE AGREES TERMS
(Wednesday 18th December 2002)
Sean Devine has agreed terms with Exeter City according to Exeter newspaper The Express & Echo. City joint owners Mike Lewis and John Russell met Devine at a Reading hotel on Monday evening and the move will go through subject to the player passing a medical and finalising his contract. |
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DEVINE OFFER CONSIDERED
(Monday 16th December 2002 - updated Tuesday 17th December 2002)
Wanderers fans have been dealt the shock news that the Board of Directors have accepted a reported £80,000 bid from Exeter City for striking legend Sean Devine. The 30 year old originally joined Wycombe from Barnet in 1999 for £200,000 and has since scored 46 goals in 101 appearances. Devine was due to meet Exeter officials on Monday evening to discuss terms.
Devine to join Exeter for £80,000 - Full story
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WYCOMBE 3 PORT VALE 1
(Saturday 14th December 2002)
Wanderers returned to League action on Saturday with a confidence boosting victory 3-1 over Port Vale at Adams Park. Andy Thomson and Sean Devine (2) scored to gain three welcome points that lift Wycombe to 13th place in table.
Wycombe 3 Port Vale 1 - Match report
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YOUTH TEAM UPDATE
(Saturday 14th December 2002)
Wanderers U19's registered a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Molins Sports Ground and so maintain their 2nd spot in the Youth Alliance South East Conference. The goals came from John-Paul Kelly (12 mins) and Nathanial Griffiths (72 mins). Meanwhile the U17's won 2-1 at Cambridge United. Youth Team info 2002/2003 |
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GIBBO RETURNS
(Saturday 14th December 2002)
Wanderers' Assistant Manager Terry Gibson returned to the Wycombe bench on Saturday after missing the last two weeks at the Club through illness. He described the Port Vale game as 'massive for us' but was confident of victory. |
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LDV DEFEAT AT BRISTOL
(Wednesday 11th December 2002)
Another wheel came off Wycombe's season as they crashed out of the LDV Vans Trophy at a bitterly cold Ashton Gate - losing 3-0 to a slick Bristol City side.
Bristol City 3 Wycombe 0 - Match report
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WANDERERS WINDFALL
(Monday 9th December 2002)
Wanderers are due a payment of £51,000 as part of a £20m grant agreed with the FA and Premier League. The money is being diverted from the Premier League's Football Stadia Improvement Fund and a similar payment will also be made to Wycombe in August 2003. First Division Clubs will get £332,000 while Third Division sides receive £34,000. |
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WILLO LOANED TO WINDSOR
(Monday 9th December 2002)
Wanderers ex-Youth Team 'keeper Steve Williams has gone on a month's loan to Ryman League side Windsor and Eton. The 19 year old made his debut in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Lewes and joins ex-Wanderers Dave Carroll and Matt Brady who are both currently on the playing staff at Stag Meadow. |
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YOUTH TEAM UPDATE
(Saturday 7th December 2002)
Wanderers U19's got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over Southend United at Molins Sports Ground. Jamie McClurg got the winner late on after goals from John-Paul Kelly and Nathanial Griffiths had been cancelled out by the visitors. Youth Team info 2002/2003 |
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TALIA AGREES EXTENSION
(Thursday 5th December 2002)
Goalkeeper Frank Talia has agreed an another one month extension to his contract at Wycombe that currently expires on 10th December. The deal has been partly funded by The Friends of Wycombe Wanderers Trust Fund. |
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RESERVES DRAW WITH GILLS
(Wednesday 4th December 2002)
Wanderers Reserves drew 1-1 with Gillingham at Buckingham Road. Craig Faulconbridge scored Wycombe's goal on 9 minutes, converting Jonny Dixon's shot from the left channel at the far post. The Gills drew level on 36 minutes when Jones Awuah scored from close range.
Line-up:Talia, Smillie, Johnson, McCarthy, Parsons, Warner (sub HT Philo), Lee, Lynott, Dixon, Faulconbridge (sub 77 Fox), Harris - sub not used: Williams, Kelly
Wanderers' Reserves info
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YOUTHS GO OUT OF FAYC
(Tuesday 3rd December 2002)
Wanderers Under 18's bowed out of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday evening - going down 3-2 to Tranmere Rovers at Adams Park. All the goals came in the second-half with Matt Warner's last minute wonder goal from a free-kick setting up a tight finish. See link for full match report.
Wycombe 2 Tranmere 3 - FA Youth Cup Report |
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