All the news stories from May 2003
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TRANSFER SPECULATION
(Thursday 29th May 2003)
The Oxford Mail reported on Wednesday that Lawrie Sanchez is interested in signing United's 25 year old striker Steve Basham. The 5'11" targetman scored eight goals for United last season and is out of contract this summer. The former Southampton trainee scored twice for Preston in Sanchez's second game in charge for Wycombe in February 1999. |
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MAPES IS FIRST SIGNING
(Wednesday 28th May 2003)
Within hours of the transfer specualtion story below the Club have confirmed that they
are set to take the gamble on 20 year old Berkhamsted midfielder Charlie Mapes. The former Spurs Youth player made a couple of Avon Insurance Combination appearances for Wycombe towards the end of the 2002/3 season and it's thought he will sign on a one year deal.
 Charlie Mapes to sign from Berkhamsted |
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TRANSFER SPECULATION
(Wednesday 28th May 2003)
Sources close to the Club suggest that efforts are being to free up enough money for Lawrie Sanchez to bring in one or two new faces before the start of the new season. The departure of Martin Taylor should allow some more flexibility in the Wanderers' tight budget, while the home friendly with West Ham on Tuesday 29th July has been designated as a money raising game for the Friends of Wycombe Wanderers Players Trust Fund. |
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2,700 TICKETS SOLD
(Wednesday 28th May 2003)
The latest Season Ticket sales figures released by the Club report that around 2,700 have been sold with still over a month remaining until the 'Early Bird' deadline. The next crucial deadline is Saturday 14th June when existing seat Season Ticket holders must reclaim the seat from last season. The estimated revenue from sales to date is over £400,000 and well above that at the same stage last season. |
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PLAY-OFFS DECIDED
(Saturday 24th May 2003)
Wanderers have found out exactly who they will playing in their 10th consecutive season in Division Two as the Play-Off Finals were completed this weekend. On Saturday Bournemouth beat Lincoln City 5-3 in the Division Three contest to join Rushden, Hartlepool and Wrexham as the promoted clubs. On Sunday QPR will spend another season playing Wycombe at League level after going down 1-0 after extra-time to Cardiff City in the Division Two Play-Off in the Welsh capital. |
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HERO'S RETURN FOR O'NEILL
(Friday 23rd May 2003)
Inbetween a UEFA Cup Final and a crucial final day in the Scottish Premier League with Celtic, Martin O'Neill received a hero's welcome at a special 10th anniversary dinner at Adams Park on Friday evening. The former Wycombe boss was joined by several members of the squad that took Wycombe into the Football League in 1993, who were also greeted with warm enthusiasm by around 300 officials and supporters at the sell-out event. The players were all interviewed before an auction of memorabillia raised over £2,000. An emotional and honest string of tales from O'Neill closed a memorable evening.
Words and Pictures - 10th Anniversary Dinner Feature
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MORE FROM TAYLOR
(Friday 23rd May 2003)
Martin Taylor has told the local press that he left Wycombe because he didn't want to become a burden to the Club and get paid while not in the First Team. He said "I didn't want to be stuck in the reserves and I didn't want to be the reason why he (Lawrie Sanchez) couldn't bring anyone else in". Taylor, who has since struck a deal with Telford United, added "I've left for the good of the club and for the good of myself" |
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2,200 TICKETS SOLD
(Friday 23rd May 2003)
Around 2,200 Season Tickets have been issued for next season as the Club wait for the next rush of sales prior to the 'Early Bird' deadline of Saturday 4th July. Sales are roughly on par with the figures at this time last season. |
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WEST HAM FRIENDLY ADDED
(Thursday 22nd May 2003)
The Club have announced an additional fixture to the pre-season programme with West Ham set to visit Adams Park on Tuesday 29th July. The game will also be used to mark the 10th annivesary of Wanderers promotion to the Football League and in a novel idea, Wanderers' share of the net proceeds of the game will be directed into the "Friend of Wycombe Wanderers" Players Fund. Admission cost to the game is Adults £12, Concessions £10 and Juniors U16 £8 for Main Stand, Woodlands Stand and Roger Vere Stand. Terrace and Family Stand are Adults £10, Concessions £8 and Juniors U16 £4.
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TAYLOR JOINS TELFORD
(Thursday 22nd May 2003)
As suggested earlier in the week, Martin Taylor has joined Conference side Telford United. Former Derby County player and Assistant Manager Mick Jones was recently appointed as Manager by United and he moved in to secure a playing and coaching role for the ex-Wanderers 'keeper. Taylor will initially be second choice behind Paul Edwards.
Martin Taylor - Player Spotlight
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O'NEILL BIOGRAPHY FEATURE
(Thursday 22nd May 2003)
With former Wanderers Manager Martin O'Neill in the spotlight following his UEFA Cup heroics with Celtic, we thought we'd take an indepth look at his recently published biography written by Alex Montgomery. It details many aspects of the Irishman's career, including revelations from his time at Wycombe.
Martin O'Neill biography - feature by chairboys.co.uk
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BORO DEAL FOR OSBORN
(Thursday 22nd May 2003)
Former Wanderers 'keeper Mark Osborn has signed a one year deal with Conference side Farnbrough Town. The 22 year old spent all of the 2002/3 season on loan at Boro but hardly got a sniff of First Team football because of the form of ex-Yeovil 'keeper Tony Pennock. The former Youth Team player was released by Wycombe at the end of the 2002/3 season.
Mark Osborn - Player Spotlight
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NEW SPONSOR NEWS
(Tuesday 20th May 2003)
Chairboys.co.uk understands that the Club are finalising the details of new First Team shirt sponsors. The campaign by Club officials to find a new sponsor began last February and after a couple of set-backs they will be hoping to make an annoucement in June. If all goes to plan then new replica shirts, with the sponsors name, would available for purchase for around the time of the pre-season friendlies at the end of July. The Club are also hoping to announce a sponsor for Adams Park. |
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MARTIN TAYLOR RETIRES
(Friday 16th May 2003)
The Club have announced the shock news that Martin Taylor has announced his retirement with a year of his contract at Wycombe still to run. Taylor had been on loan at Barnsley at the end of the season but returned due to injury. Taylor joined Wycombe six years ago and had made 284 appearances. It was only in the 2002/3 season that he lost place in the side but will always be remembered by Wycombe fans for many heroic displays. See link for extended feature and quotes.
Martin Taylor - Special feature
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NO CONTRACT TALKS
(Friday 16th May 2003)
Lawrie Sanchez has said that holding contract talks with players before the end of the season was a mistake and helped add towards Wanderers poor form. He told the Bucks Free Press "If you don't know what contracts are going to be given, you are going to give your best in every game." The BFP goes on to suggests that Sanchez has 'banned' all contract for 12 months when there are 15 of Wanderers First Team squad out of contract, including Dannie Bulman, Darren Currie, Stuart Roberts, Michael Simpson and Chris Vinnicombe. |
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LEE GETS VIKING CHANCE
(Thursday 15th May 2003)
Former Wanderers midfielder Martyn Lee is understood to be on the verge of signing a deal with Norwegian club Viking Stavanger. Ex-Wanderers Youth Team Manager Gary Goodchild is currently on the coaching staff at Stavanger and invited Lee over for a trial earlier in the month where he impressed enough to be offered a deal. The Norwegian season has just started and Lee could be in action almost immediately.
Martyn Lee - Player spotlight
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NO NEW YEARS DAY GAME
(Thursday 15th May 2003)
Wanderers could be in for a 'winter break' unless they are successful in reaching the Third Round of the FA Cup. The Football League have scrapped next season's New Year's Day fixture programme and those due on Third Round day two days later on Saturday 3rd January. Clubs will play League fixtures on Sunday 28th December and the next scheduled League game will be on Saturday 10th January. A Football League spokesman added "The rationale behind this is to give our clubs every chance of succeeding in the FA Cup." |
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QPR TO FACE CARDIFF
(Wednesday 14th May 2003)
QPR will face Cardiff City in the Division Two Play-off Final at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday 25th May after an 82nd winning goal from Paul Furlong saw off Oldham Athletic in the semi-final second leg. Elsewhere, Wanderers Division Two opponents next season from the Division Three Play-offs will the winners of the Bournemouth v Lincoln City clash on Saturday 24th May. |
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CARDIFF THRO TO CARDIFF
(Tuesday 13th May 2003)
Cardiff City made it through to the Division Two Play-off Final at the Millennium Stadium after winning through 1-0 on aggregate against Bristol City in the semi-final. In the end it was Peter Thorne's goal in the first leg at Ninian Park that seperated the teams and Lennie Lawrence's side now await the winners of the QPR/Oldham semi-final to determine their opponents on Sunday 25th May. For Bristol City, who finished third in the table, they now have to contend with a 5th consecutive season in Div. Two. |
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SAFETY OFFICER RESIGNS
(Tuesday 13th May 2003)
Wanderers' Safety Officer Frank Knowles has quit his position at Adams Park after ten years with the Club according to reports in the local press. There had been no official confirmation from the Club or a reason given for the departure at the time this story was uploaded. |
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2,000 TICKETS SOLD
(Friday 9th May 2003)
It's estimated that more than 2,000 Season Tickets had been sold by the end of "Super Early Bird" deadline on Friday. The deadline for the regular 'Early Bird' prices is Saturday 4th July. |
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1993 TROPHY FINAL RETRO
(Friday 9th May 2003)
9th May 2003 is the 10 year anniversary of Wanderers playing in FA Trophy Final at Wembley and also their final game as a non-League Club. See the link for our latest look back at 1992-93
1992-1993 retro - Celebrations in May 1993
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TWO OFFERED TRIAL
(Friday 9th May 2003)
Beaconsfield right back Steve Dell and former Blackburn and England Youth striker Andy Bell have been invited to pre-season training with Wycombe after impressing in Reserve games. However, released QPR left-back Danny Murphy is now on trial at Swindon Town after Wanderers could not match the wages he was previously on at Loftus Road. |
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IS THERE A NEW SPONSOR?
(Thursday 8th May 2003)
Wanderers' fans are still waiting for news of a new Club sponsor. The
Club have set noon on 12th May 2003 as the deadline for offers to own the rights for First Team shirt sponsorship. The Club is looking for a minimum of £60,000 per season for the rights to the home and away First Team shirts and £10,000 for a similar deal for the Reserve team. Updated story
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PRE-SEASON GAMES
(Tuesday 6th May 2003)
The Club have announced two further pre-season games in addition to the Dave Jones Testimonial game at home to Spurs on Saturday 19th July. They are an away game at Aylesbury United on Saturday 26th July and a home game with Watford on Saturday 2nd August. Other pre-season games are likely to include a game at Maidenhead United. The fixtures for the new Football League season which starts on Saturday 9th August are due to be announced on Thursday 19th June. |
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DIVISION ONE MOVEMENTS
(Sunday 4th May 2003)
Brighton have been relegated back to Division Two after just one season after they drew at already relegated Grimsby Town on the final day of the Division One season and nearest rivals Stoke City beat Reading. Sheffield Wednesday are the other club to be relegated to Division Two and sets up the first ever meeting with Wycombe next season. |
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PLYMOUTH 1 WYCOMBE 0
(Saturday 3rd May 2003)
A 75th minute goal from Argyle substitute Nathan Lowndes was enough to consign Wanderers to a first ever final day defeat under Lawrie Sanchez and a result that sees Wycombe finish in 18th place with a measly 52 points from the 46 games played.
Plymouth Argyle 1 Wycombe 0 - Match report
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DIVISION TWO MOVEMENTS
(Saturday 3rd May 2003)
Cheltenham Town became the fourth and final team to be relegated from Division Two this season after the final day games on Saturday 3rd May. The Gloucestershire side lost 1-0 at Notts County while nearest rivals Chesterfield survived with a 1-1 draw at Blackpool. Huddersfield, Mansfield and Northampton are the other sides relegated to Division Three. At the other end of the table Champions Wigan Athletic reached an amazing 100 points and they are automatically promoted along with Crewe Alexandra. The play-off matches will see Cardiff City play Bristol City and Oldham play QPR. |
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DIVISION THREE MOVEMENTS
(Saturday 3rd May 2003)
Wanderers missed out on a further potential £25,000 of income when Exeter City were relegated to the Conference following the final games of the Division Three season. The amount was part of a clause in the deal that took Sean Devine to the Devon club in December but despite victory against Southend United, The Grecians will join Shrewsbury Town in the Conference after Swansea City beat 4-2 Hull City in their final game. Coming up to Division Two will be Rushden, Hartlepool and Wrexham plus one from the play-off foursome of Bournemouth, Scunthorpe, Lincoln City and Bury. |
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SANCHEZ ON LEE
(Friday 2nd May 2003)
Lawrie Sanchez has said that letting Martyn Lee go was a tough decision that he thought long and hard about. He told the local press "The bottom line is that he has not progressed as much as we have hoped. I had to draw a line under it and perhaps bring in someone new". Earlier in the week a statement on the official site said "The manager was hoping to be able to offer Martyn terms but in the end the money was not available." |
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BLUES LOSE TO BLUES
(Thursday 1st May 2003)
Lawrie Sanchez gave another look at some triallists in a 'behind closed doors' friendly with a Chelsea XI at Adams Park on Thursday afternoon that Wanderers lost 3-1. The triallists on show again were Danny Murphy, Charlie Mapes, Dave Hallett, Steve Dell and Neil Buxton. Striker Andy Bell missed the game due to food poisoning although he did turn out along with Hallet for Bournemouth Reserves on Tuesday. Luke Oliver scored Wanderers' goal and Jonny Dixon also featured. |
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MACCA LOAN EXTENDED
(Thursday 1st May 2003)
Oxford United have extended their loan deal with Wycombe for Paul McCarthy until the end of the season. Macca will now be eligible to play in United's last game of the season against York where only a victory would give them a chance of a play-off place. The extension means Wanderers save a month's worth of wages before his contract expires in the summer.
Paul McCarthy - Player Profile |
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EX-PLAYERS ON THE UP
(Thursday 1st May 2003)
Some more news of ex-Wanderers players, this time on the up. Jason Cousins was an integral part of the Aldershot Town squad which earned promotion from Ryman Premier to the Conference eleven years after the original Aldershot side dropped out of the Football League. Meanwhile former loan striker Steve Jones scored for Hornchurch as they clinched promotion to the Ryman Premier League. |
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