All the news stories from February 2003
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TAYLOR WANTS TO PLAY ON
(Friday 28th February 2003)
Martin Taylor has rubbished rumours that he is about to retire from the game. Taylor, who is contracted with Wycombe until May 2004, told the Bucks Free Press "Whether my future is at Wycombe or elsewhere I'm not planning on retiring" The 36 year old says he would like to play on for at least three more years at the top level.  Martin Taylor - Player profile
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PFA OPPOSE WAGE CUTS
(Thursday 27th February 2003)
The PFA are opposing ideas to build in wage reductions to players contracts should their club be relegated. PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire told BBC Online "Our experience from looking at over 30 clubs is that the level of salary is only one of a number of problems clubs have. It is an accumulation of mismanagement that has left them in those positions and it is not right that players have to bear that burden." Wanderers players may have no such clauses in their contracts but more weighted performance related pay has been introduced in recent seasons which has helped keep a control on the wage bill. |
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POLICE BILL THREAT
(Thursday 27th February 2003)
Wanderers could be affected by a proposal by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to charge clubs for matchday policing outside of grounds, including town centres and railway stations. At present only the policing inside the ground is charged to the Club. At its meeting earlier this month, The Football League’s Board of Directors, including Wanderers' Chairman Ivor Beeks, unanimously rejected the idea. |
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RESERVES LOSE TO BEES
(Wednesday 26th February 2003)
A last minute goal saw Wanderers' Reserves defeated 1-0 by Brentford at Buckingham Road on Wednesday afternoon. The game saw Jonny Dixon make his comeback from injury and he came through just over an hour without too many problems. The highlights of a fairly uneventful match were a first half penalty save by Steve Williams and close efforts in the second-half by Martyn Lee and Jermaine McSporran. The winning goal came after the ball had been adjudged to have crossed the line following a goal mouth scramble. Line-up (4-4-2): Williams, Simpemba, Warner, Oliver, McCarthy (sub 77 Hole), Philo, Currie, Lee (sub 77 Lynott), Cook, McSporran, Dixon (sub 63 Harding) - sub not used: Gordon |
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COLU APPOINT ROYAL
(Tuesday 25th February 2003)
Colchester United have appointed Reading midfielder Phil Parkinson as their new boss. The 35 year had been working for the Youth Accademy with The Royals but this is his first managerial position. Geraint Williams is staying on as assistant. Parkinson was a transfer target of Neill Smillie during the 1998/99 season. Colchester United - Quick Guide
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WANDERERS REDUCE LOSSES
(Monday 24th February 2003)
Wanderers have managed to pull back some of the heavy losses made earlier in the season. After budgeting for a loss of around £175,000 for the 2002/3 season the deficit had already reached over £500,000 after four months (June to October 2002). The club acted swiftly in ditching the Chief Executive and with the help of Financial Director Rod Tomlin have mananged to make a small profit in the three months following. The Club now estimate the loss for the season to be around £400,000. |
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O'NEILL BIOGRAPHY DUE OUT
(Monday 24th February 2003)
A long awaited biography on Wanderers former Manager Martin O'Neill is set for publication on 10th April 2003. The 256 page book has been written by Alex Montgomery. See link for more details and pre-ordering information.
chairboys.co.uk - book shop
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WYCOMBE 0 WIGAN 2
(Saturday 22nd February 2003)
Wanderers went down 2-0 to league leaders Wigan Athletic on Saturday but were never outclassed by a side who had lost just three League games all season before their visit to Adams Park.
Match report - Wycombe 0 Wigan 2
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YOUTH TEAM UPDATE
(Saturday 22nd February 2003)
The U19's were without a game this weekend but the U17's drew 0-0 with Portsmouth at Molins Sports Ground in the their penultimate League fixture of the season. The U19's begin their 'Merit Division' matches on Saturday 1st March when the highly rated Brentford side travel to Molins Sports Ground.
Youth Team info 2002/2003
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TALIA EARNS DEAL
(Friday 21st February 2003)
Lawrie Sanchez has signed Frank Talia until July 2005 following the Aussie keeper's impressive form for The Wanderers. Talia has been on rolling month to month contract since the start of the season but has now been rewarded with a longer deal. Frank Talia - Player profile
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IAN GETS ANOTHER YEAR
(Friday 21st February 2003)
Ex-Wanderers Youth Teamer Ian Simpemba has been given another year long professional deal in order to give him the chance of breaking into the First Team. Simpemba, who will be 20 in March, spent three months on loan at Woking earlier in the season. Ian Simpemba - Player profile
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RHINO DEAL CONFIRMED
(Friday 21st February 2003)
The Club have confirmed that Keith Ryan has agreed a new contract running until May 2005. The new deal will see "Rhino" have the chance to complete 15 years of service with Wycombe. Ryan was one of Martin O'Neill's first ever signings as Wycombe Manager and is now coming close to 450 appearances. |
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WAGE BILL SLASHED
(Friday 21st February 2003)
Lawrie Sanchez has told the Bucks Free Press that the Wanderers wage bill will be slashed by £250,000 this year. He also said "The team won't be torn apart but some people will leave and new contracts won't be what old contracts were." The Club lost around £450,000 last season and Sanchez added "The financial situation at the Club is that we have to cut our costs" |
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RHINO HOLDS OUT
(Friday 21st February 2003)
Keith Ryan was offered a one year extension to his contract but according to the Bucks Free Press said he was hoping for a two year deal. Ryan, who is 33 in June, said the news of the new contract was fanastic and added "Wycombe is the only club for me. They gave me my chance in football and I think I've paid them back" Keith Ryan - Player profile
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BAN FOR SIMO
(Thursday 20th February 2003)
The Club have confirmed that Michael Simpson will receive a three match ban following a FA investigation into the elbowing incident in the game with Oldham on 18th January at Adams Park. The midfielder will miss Barnsley home (15th Mar), Peterboro' away (18th Mar) and Chesterfield away (22nd Mar). The video evidence proved conclusive in the eyes of the FA. |
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RESERVES VICTORY
(Wednesday 19th February 2003)
Wanderers Reserves came back from a goal down to beat
Northampton Town 2-1 at Sixfields on Wednesday afternoon. Chris Hargreaves had opened the scoring for the home team on 41 minutes but Wycombe were level within a minute when Mark Philo passed the ball out to the left to Lewis Cook whose cross was swept across the face of the goal by Darren Currie for Gavin Holligan to touch home at the far post. Wycombe then grabbed a winning goal in the 53rd minute when Paul McCarthy struck home from the middle of the penalty area following a Currie free-kick from the right. Jermaine McSporran was taken off as a precautionary measure after 37 minutes after he took a knock on the back of the ankle. More news on the injury awaited.
Line-up: Gott, Smillie, Cook, Simpemba (sub 83 Warner), Oliver, McCarthy, Lynott, Currie, Philo, Holligan (sub 70 Griffiths), McSporran (sub 37 Harding) |
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BROWNIE GETS CONTRACT
(Wednesday 19th February 2003)
It's been confirmed that Steve Brown has agreed an extension to his contract that will see him complete more than ten years of service with The Wanderers. The new deal runs until May 2004 and will see see "Brownie" enter his testimonial season.
Steve Brown - Player profile
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TOWNSEND JOINS WOKING
(Monday 17th February 2003)
It's understood that Ben Townsend's loan to Conference side Woking has been made permanent with a deal struck until the end of the 2003/4 season. Former Wycombe player Matt Crossley, now assistant at Woking, instigated the signing. The former Youth Team player made a total of 22 First Team appearances for Wycombe but the last two season's have been savaged by injury problems. Ben Townsend - Player profile
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U19's QUALIFY FOR DIV 1
(Monday 17th February 2003)
The U19's qualification for the top 'Merit Division' of the Football League Youth Alliance was confirmed over the weekend. The first match will take place on Saturday 1st March when the highly rated Brentford side travel to Molins Sports Ground. Meanwhile the U17's drew 0-0 with QPR and have two more games to play. Youth Team info 2002/2003
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SWINDON 0 WYCOMBE 3
(Saturday 15th February 2003)
Wanderers came away from The County Ground with an emphatic 3-0 victory. Keith Ryan, Dannie Bulman and Craig Faulconbridge scored the goals to help leapfrog Swindon into 11th place in Division Two. Jermaine McSporran and Gavin Holligan both appeared as second-half substitutes following their long spells out through injury. See link for match details
Match report - Swindon 0 Wycombe 3
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YOUNGSTERS RELEASED
(Friday 14th February 2003)
A trio of final year scholars have been released by the Club with immediate effect. They are midfielder Pat Lynott, left-back Ryan Parsons and right-back Jack Smillie. The decision came after a meeting between Lawrie Sanchez and Youth Team Coach Michael Forsyth. Parsons joined Windsor earlier in the work on "work experience" but the other two will now be looking for new Clubs after originally joining Wycombe as schoolboys. |
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TALIA DEAL EXTENDED AGAIN
(Friday 14th February 2002)
Frank Talia has agreed yet another one month extension to his contract at Wycombe that expired on the 12th February. The lastest deal runs until 13th March and has been prompted by the fact that Martin Taylor has not yet returned from fitness. |
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YOUNGSTERS SIGNED
(Friday 14th February 2003)
The Club have announced that Luke Oliver has signed a one year deal tieing him to the Wanderers until the end of the 2003/2004 season. The 18 year old 6'6" defender has played for the Wycombe Youth Team and Reserves but due to 'A' commitments opted out of a Scholarship scheme. |
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DIXON SIGNS CONTRACT
(Wednesday 12th February 2003)
The Club have confirmed that Youth Team prodigy Jonny Dixon has signed a professional contract until May 2005. Dixon, now 19, first signed for Wycombe on schoolboys forms in 1998. And there is more good news as he is due to return to full training next Monday following his knee injury during the game at Northampton in January. Jonny Dixon - Player spotlight
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SCHOLAR OFF TO WINDSOR
(Wednesday 12th February 2003)
Wanderers' Third Year Scholar Ryan Parsons has gone to Ryman League Windsor and Eton on what is described by the Club as "work experience". The left sided defender, who is 19 in March, was spotted by Windsor coach and ex-Wanderer Simon Stapleton at a recent reserve game and he'll team up with several more ex-Wycombe players currently on the playing staff at Stag Meadow. Windsor pulled off a shock FA Trophy victory at Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday evening and now face Aylesbury United away in the 5th Round. |
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RESERVES GAME CALLED OFF
(Tuesday 11th February 2003)
Jermaine McSporran and Gavin Holligan will have to wait a little longer to continue their comebacks from injury after Tuesday evening's Reserves against QPR was called off. The match was going to take place at Northwood FC but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The new date is Tuesday 25th March. |
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U19's SHOULD QUALIFY
(Monday 10th February 2003)
Despite a 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday in their final regular League game of the season, the U19's still should qualify for the top 'Merit Division' in the Football League Youth Alliance. Closest rivals Gillingham lost 4-0 at home to Portsmouth and baring some freak scorelines in remaining matches, Wanderers can look forward to games against Portsmouth, Brentford, Swindon, Plymouth, Bristol Rovers, Cardiff, West Brom, Peterborough and Northampton. Youth Team info 2002/2003
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WYCOMBE 0 HUDDERSFIELD 0
(Saturday 8th February 2003)
Wanderers failed to score at home for the first time this season as they drew 0-0 with bottom side Huddersfield Town. The results sees Wycombe remain in 12th place in the table.
Wycombe 0 Huddersfield 0 - Match report
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YOUTHS LEFT HOPING
(Saturday 8th February 2003)
A 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday in their final regular League game of the season has left the U19's looking at other results to see if they will qualify for the top 'Merit Division' in the Football League Youth Alliance. Meanwhile, the U17's drew 1-1 at home to Brighton - Leon Ingram put Wanderers ahead in the first half but the visitors equalised with eight minutes remaning.
Youth Team info 2002/2003 Updated Gallery 2002/2003
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WAGE CAPPING CENSUS
(Saturday 8th February 2003)
The Football Fans Census has launched the second phase of its survey to gauge opinions of Wanderers Supporters on the subject of salary capping for players. This phase asks how capping could be implemented. You can also register on the site to help push Wycombe up the Fan League Tables.
Visit the Football Fans Census website for more details
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ONE-ONE FANZINE
(Saturday 8th February 2003)
A new issue of One-One fanzine went on sale on Saturday 8th February prior to the home game with Huddersfield. The latest issue is No.18 and is 24 pages priced at only 50p and is on sale from 1pm down Hillbottom Road on route to the ground.
One-One Fanzine - Issue Guide |
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BOSS CELEBRATES 4TH YEAR
(Wednesday 5th February 2003)
Lawrie Sanchez today celebrates four years in charge at Wycombe. In a lengthy programme article, Sanchez said he has enjoyed his time at Wycombe and added "We have come forward over the last 4 years and I believe we can go further forward and we want to go forward with you the fans alongside us.". Full feature now online
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DUO BACK FOR RESERVES
(Wednesday 5th February 2003)
Jermaine McSporran and Gavin Holligan both made their return from injury as the Reserves drew 1-1 with Brighton at Buckingham Road on Wednesday afternoon. 'Jocky' opened the scoring for The Wanderers in the 35th minute when he converted a Darren Currie cross. However, the visitors equalised from the penalty spot after a foul in the area. Substitute Ryan Parsons was sent off in the closing stages after fouling the 'last man'.
Line-up: Williams, Smillie (sub 70 Parsons), Simpemba, McCarthy, Oliver, Cook, Lee, Philo, Currie, Holligan (sub 65 Griffiths), McSporran (sub 65 Harding) - subs not used Lynott, Gott |
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WYCOMBE 3 NOTTS COUNTY 1
(Saturday 1st February 2003)
Wanderers beat Notts County on Saturday without ever really getting out of first gear. Richard Harris scored two in as many during the first half and Stuart Roberts added a third with a beautiful strike on 59 minutes. Former Wanderers striker Mark Stallard scored a consolation goal for the visitors with 20 minutes left. Wycombe move up to 12th place in the table.
Wycombe 3 Notts County 1 - Match report
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