All the news stories from December 2003
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LION ON LOAN TOO
(Wednesday 31st December 2003)
The Club have announced another loan signing in time for Saturday's meeting with Grimsby. This time it's 30 year old Millwall central defender Stuart Nethercott. The 6'1" central defender has made more than 200 appearances for Millwall following a move from Spurs in 1998. The former England U21 has made 14 Division One appearances for Millwall this season but has been edged out in recent weeks. |
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TYSON IN ON LOAN
(Wednesday 31st December 2003)
Wycombe hope to complete the loan signing of Reading striker Nathan Tyson before Saturday's meeting with Grimsby Town. The 6 foot, 21 year old is another former England Youth player who progressed from the Royals set-up to make his Football League debut aged 17. Went on to have loan spells at Swansea City, Cheltenham Town and Maidenhead United before returning to Reading where he has been widely used as a substitute for the First Team (9 starts in 33 apps) and scoring once. |
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OBE FOR O'NEILL
(Wednesday 31st December 2003)
Former Wanderers boss Martin O'Neill has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List for his continued services to football. It will be his success at Celtic that has brought on the honour although O'Neill played down the award and praised the team work involved, commenting "This recognition belongs to all those who have made a vital contribution to that success and I am honoured to accept it on their behalf." 51 year old O'Neill was previously awarded the MBE in 1983 but doesn't highlight the honour that he considered refusing at the time. |
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MEDIA HYSTERIA AGAIN
(Wednesday 31st December 2003)
Unsurprisingly there has been mass media hysteria over comments made by Tony Adams in press conference following the 2-0 defeat to Rushden. The Wycombe boss was asked by BBC Three Counties Radio "Where do you go from here?" to which Adams replied "I don’t know. I’m going to have to sleep on it and think about my future". Adams clarified the point later in the same press conference by adding "I think you misunderstood. I consider my future in the direction that I’m taking this team." This wasn't enough to prevent some national newspapers and TV news channels from running a series of contrived stories that added nothing to what is a nothing story.
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DEVINE CASH ON THE WAY
(Monday 29th December 2003)
Another £5,000 is on its way to the Wanderers following Sean Devine's 40th appearance for Exeter City. The former Wycombe striker was sold to The Grecians a year ago for an initial fee of £10,000 and Wanderers received a further £10,000 on 10 appearances. However, it's understood that the following payment of another £10,000 for 20 apps was never paid by a City set-up now in administration. The current owners have since kept up the payments with a £5,000 sum being paid for the 30 game milestone. Wanderers are due to receive two further payments of £5,000 on 50 and 60 apps but are still chasing the outstanding £10,000. | |
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WYCOMBE 0 RUSHDEN 2
(Sunday 28th December 2003)
Wanderers ended 2003 with yet another home defeat - this time succumbing to a workmanlike performance from a Rushden side who were gifted a two goal lead by the half-time break. Wycombe never looked like getting back into the match and are now rooted to the bottom of the table. See link for details.
 Wycombe 0 Rushden 2 - Match report and reaction |
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BRIGHTON 4 WYCOMBE 0
(Friday 26th December 2003)
Wanderers slumped to a depressing 4-0 defeat at Brighton on Boxing Day after seeing Roger Johnson sent-off for foul and abusive language after 16 minutes and later Mark Rogers for a second yellow card. Brighton 4 Wycombe 0 - Match report |
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RAMBO RETIRES
(Friday 26th December 2003)
Former Wanderers' striker Andy Rammell has announced his retirement from the full-time game following a series of problems with knee injuries during his time with Bristol Rovers. 'Rambo' moved to Rovers towards the end of the 2002/3 season following a two and a half year spell at Wycombe where he scored 31 goals in 92 appearances. Andy Rammell - Player Profile |
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THREE OUT ON LOAN
(Tuesday 23rd December 2003)
Tony Adams is continuing work on his squad by arranging outward loan deals for the three fringe players. Strikers Jonny Dixon and Gavin Holligan have gone to Dr Marten Premier League side Crawley Town until 26th January. Meanwhile, defender Steve Dell has moved to Eastbourne Borough until 19th January having made his debut in the Dr Marten side's 1-0 home defeat to Moor Green on Saturday (20th December). |
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2nd YEAR SCHOLAR LEAVES
(Tuesday 23rd December 2003)
Second Year Scholar Matt Heggie has left the Club by mutual consent and now hopes to continue further education. The 18 year old central defender has been with the Wanderers since he was 12 but could the first of several departures ahead of a restructure of youth set-ups across the Football League. |
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BLOOMFIELD SIGNS ON
(Tuesday 23rd December 2003)
As expected the free transfer of Matt Bloomfield from Ipswich Town was completed on Tuesday. The deal is until June 2005 and includes 'a significant sell-on fee' should Wanderers go on to sell the former England Youth International. Bloomfield has revealed that Tony Adams was a major influence on him chosing Wycombe Wanderers as the club where he hopes to begin his senior career in earnest. |
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MIDFIELDER TO SIGN
(Monday 22nd December 2003)
19 year old midfielder Matt Bloomfield is set to join Wycombe on a free transfer from Ipswich Town. The former England U17 and U19 international has been at Portman Road since he was 13 and it's understood that Town have negotiated a significant sell-on clause for the permanent deal to take place. Bloomfield has made one senior appearance for Town when he appeared in the Carling Cup defeat to Notts County earlier this season. The deal with Wanderers will be finalised on Tuesday. |
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BELL CONTRACT EXTENDED
(Monday 22nd December 2003)
The Club have announced that Tony Adams has extended the contract of Andy Bell until 30th January 2004. It's also been revealed that the former Blackburn Rovers trainee spent a two day trial at Chester City before the Conference club decided 'they could not afford to keep him'. Bell made his first appearance in the First Team squad under Tony Adams in Saturday's home game with Bournemouth. |
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MORE LOANS ON THE WAY
(Monday 22nd December 2003)
Tony Adams says he is aiming to bring in two more players on loan before the end of the year. Wanderers have room for three more short term loans (maximum of three months) this season before they reach the maximum of eight but they cannot have more than four at any one time. The Club can also take up to four players on a long term loan (ie remainder of the season) but this type of deal must be completed before the 31st December.
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YOUTH TRIAL AGAINST FOXES
(Sunday 21st December 2003)
A Wanderers U16's side went down 4-3 to an equivalent side from Leicester City on Sunday morning at Molins Sports Ground. The game was arranged to view some of the potential scholar intake for next season as well as a selection of triallists aiming to join Wanderers YT set-up. Wycombe's goals came through Gianni Picciano (2) and James Faulkner. |
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WYCOMBE 2 BOURNEMOUTH 0
(Saturday 20th December 2003)
Wanderers finally got their first League win under Tony Adams with a confidence boosting 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at Adams Park on Saturday. The three points lifts Wanderers off the foot of the table as they go into the holiday programme of three games in eight days. Keith Ryan and loanee Luke Moore scored Wanderers' goals.
Wycombe 2 Bournemouth 0 - Match report |
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MAGIC BOOKING REVERSED
(Saturday 20th December 2003)
To add insult to injury following Wanderers controversial FA Cup exit at Mansfield, match referee Paul Taylor has reversed the yellow card he gave to Roger Johnson for the alledged foul that led to the winning penalty. The decision means that Johnson will escape the one match ban due for reaching five yellow cards. |
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BARNET WANT BROWNIE
(Friday 19th December 2003)
Conference side Barnet want to take Steve Brown on loan but Brown, who starts his testimonial year at Wycombe in February, says he wants to stay, saying "I'm going to get my head down and fight for a place like I always have." Meanwhile, Tony Adams commented "Steve wants to end his career here. Barnet are interested but whether he wants to play at Barnet is something else" Steve Brown - Player profile
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FRIENDLY DEFEAT
(Wednesday 17th December 2003)
Wanderers went down 2-1 to Caribbean international team St Vincent and Grenadines on a bitterly cold evening at Adams Park. A fairly inexperienced Wanderers' line-up went behind in the 11th minute but pulled the scores level on 56 minutes when Andy Bell finished from 15 yards following a through ball from Charlie Mapes. However, the visitors grabbed their winner in the 69th minute . See link for match report.
Wycombe 1 St Vincent 2 - Match report and pics
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SUSPENSION WATCH
(Wednesday 17th December 2003)
Roger Johnson reached five yellow cards for the season with his late booking in the FA Cup game at Mansfield. He will now serve a one match ban at the home game with Grimsby on Saturday 3rd January. Steve Brown and Jermaine McSporran are both on four yellow cards this season, one more booking away from a one match suspension. |
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FULHAM TO RETURN TO CC
(Wednesday 17th December 2003)
Wanderers' officials hopes of securing a longer term tenancy for London Wasps were dealt a blow on Tuesday evening when Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council granted planning permission for improvements to Craven Cottage. This will enable Fulham to return to their original home and free-up their lodgings at Loftus Road originally used by the rugby franchise. Wasps are contracted to return unless an alternative solution can be agreed and decision must be made by the end of March 2004. |
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MANSFIELD 3 WYCOMBE 2
(Tuesday 16th December 2003)
Wanderers crashed out of the FA Cup in controversial fashion at Field Mill on Tuesday evening. A highly dubious penalty for an alledged foul by Roger Johnson in the third and final minute of second-half stoppage time allowed Liam Lawrence to step up and complete a hat-trick as his side grabbed a 3-2 victory.
Mansfield 3 Wycombe 2 - Match report
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NOTTS COUNTY 1 WYCOMBE 1
(Saturday 13th December 2003)
Wanderers put in an encouraging performance as they drew 1-1 at Notts County on Saturday at Meadow Lane. Michael Simpson's deflected shot gave Wycombe the lead on the stroke of half-time but Paul Heffernan equalised for the home side on 74 minutes. Both Luke Moore and Steven Taylor made their Wycombe debuts following their recent loan moves.
Notts County 1 Wycombe 1 - Match report |
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MORE LEAGUE DEBUTS
(Saturday 13th December 2003)
Steven Taylor and Luke Moore become the seventh and eighth players to be given their Football League debut by Wanderers this season but the first under the new Management regime. Andy Bell, Steve Dell, Billy Harding, Charlie Mapes, Simon Patterson and Steve Williams were all given their first taste of League football under Lawrie Sanchez earlier in the season. |
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YOUTH TEAM UPDATE
(Saturday 13th December 2003)
Mixed fortunes for the Wanderers' Youth Teams at the weekend. The Under 19's were overrun 4-1 by Portsmouth at Molins on Saturday morning with Andy Reilly getting the consolation goal. However, the Under 17's enjoyed a 4-0 victory at Leyton Orient with Andy Savage (2), Josh Gibson and Tom Cadmore on target. Youth Team info 2003/2004 |
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LATEST LOAN NEWS
(Friday 12th December 2003)
Tony Adams has moved again to bring in 17 year old central defender Steven Taylor on loan from Newcastle United. The highly rated player has stepped up to the United Reserve side this season and recently returned from the FIFA World Youth Championships where he captained the England Under 19 side. |
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HARRIS OFF TO WOKING
(Friday 12th December 2003)
News was also released on Friday afternoon that Wanderers' out of favour striker Richard Harris has been loaned out to Conference side Woking. Harris has not figured in the First Team squad since Tony Adams took charge at Wycombe.
Richard Harris - Player profile |
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FOUR MORE LOANS
(Friday 12th December 2003)
Tony Adams says that Luke Moore is just the first of several new faces he intends to bring in before the end of the year. The Wanderers boss has four more loans left on the eight 'short-term loan' limit but may also sign others on contracts until the end of the season according to reports in the local press. Adams is now making his mark having assessed the existed squad but is also concerned with the Youth set-up. He said "There is a bottle neck. Decision were not made and unfortunately, I'm the one that is having to clear the deadwood to give the opportunity for kids to come through. Having said that, there isn't a lot of kids coming through. The youth programme is a problem." |
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PLAYER FUND RE-LAUNCH
(Thursday 11th December 2003)
With over a month now passed since the arrival of Tony Adams as Manager, Chairboys on the Net can confirm that the Club are still in the process of relaunching the much maligned Friends of Wycombe Wanderers Players Trust Fund. A letter sent out to Club stakeholders revealed some details.
Player Trust Fund to be re-launched - full story
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STRIKER ON LOAN
(Wednessday 10th December 2003)
Tony Adams has been successful in persuading 17 year old Luke Moore to join Wycombe on an initial month's loan from Aston Villa. The highly rated striker has been a prolific scorer for the Villa Youth and Reserve sides but has yet to make his First Team debut. He comes to Wycombe having gained England honours at Under 17 level and being a part of Villa's 2002 FA Youth Cup winning side. In the 2002/3 season he scored more than 20 goals at Reserve team level and Wycombe followers will be hoping he can carry this through to Division Two level. |
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WYCOMBE 2 COLCHESTER 3
(Tuesday 9th December 2003)
Wanderers conceded yet another late goal, this time in the 5th minute of stoppage time in extra-time, as Colchester United went away with the narrowest of victories in what eventually turned out to be an exciting cup tie. Wanderers had twice come from behind and went close to snatching a surprise victory with what was a very inexperienced line-up.
Wycombe 2 Colchester 3 - LDV match report and stats
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FRIENDLY RE-ARRANGED
(Monday 8th December 2003)
The previously arranged a home friendly against the Caribbean touring team representing St Vincent and Grenadines has been re-arranged for the Wednesday 17th December after the original date clashed with the FA Cup replay with Mansfield. The match at Adams Park will kick-off at 7.45pm. Entrance prices £5 adults, £3 seniors and students, £1 under 16's. |
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BURNLEY FOR WINNERS
(Sunday 7th December 2003)
The winners of the FA Cup replay at Field Mill on Tuesday 16th December will play First Division Burnley at home in the Third Round on the weekend of Saturday 3rd January 2004. If Wanderers make it through then the scheduled home Division Two league game for that date would have to be re-arranged. |
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WYCOMBE 1 MANSFIELD 1
(Friday 5th December 2003)
Iyseden Christie's equaliser on 62 minutes forced this tie to a replay after Friday's live Sky TV encounter with Mansfield Town ended 1-1 at Adams Park. Gavin Holligan had put Wycombe ahead on 50 minutes. The two sides will now meet in a replay at Field Mill on Tuesday 16th December.
Wycombe 1 Mansfield 1 - Match report and stats
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NEW FANZINE ON FRIDAY
(Friday 5th December 2003)
A new edition of the One-One fanzine was released prior to Friday's FA Cup meeting with Mansfield Town. The 24 page 'cheer up son, he's gone now' issue costs the usual 50p. See link for back issue guide. One-One - Issue Guide
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ADAMS TO TAKE ACTION
(Friday 5th December 2003)
Reports in the local press are suggesting that Tony Adams will bring new players to the Club in an effort to keep Wanderers in Division Two. Adams says he has pinpointed existing squad members that are no longer needed and this will be made clear within the next month or so. He added "I’m doing everything in my power to keep the club in the Second Division. But sometimes, and it’s proven through history, clubs need to consolidate to grow again. Hopefully we can do it in this division and that’s what I’m trying to do." |
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RESERVES DRAW
(Wednesday 3rd December 2003)
Wanderers' Reserves drew 1-1 with Swindon Town at Adams Park on Wednesday evening in their final group game in the Pontin's Holiday Cup. Watched by Tony Adams, a fairly youthful Wycombe side enjoyed the better chances but had to wait until the 78th minute to take the lead when Andy Bell converted from the spot after he had been fouled as he raced in from the right corner of the penalty area. However, Town levelled two minutes later when Mark Dungatt just managed to scramble the ball over the line following a free-kick from the left wing. Line-up: Gott, Dell, Reilly, Oliver, Hole, Mapes (sub HT Bell), McClurg, Fox, Philo, Griffiths (sub HT Harris), Dixon (sub 66 Cook) - subs not used: Tungatt, Flowers |
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COUNTY CONFIRM SURVIVAL
(Wednesday 3rd December 2003)
As expected, Notts County have confirmed that their take-over deal with The Blenheim Consortium has been completed, thus bringing to an end a 17 month spell in adminstration. The new board at County will include Peter Joyce, Roy Parker, and Andrew Rigby. In addition, David Hindley, Chair of the Magpies Trust, becomes the first ever supporter representative on the board. The takeover involved a new lease being negotiated on their Meadow Lane ground which is also planned for an upgrade.
Notts County - Quick Guide
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ANOTHER GUNNER LINK
(Tuesday 2nd December 2003)
The press are linking Wycombe with Arsenal left wing-back and midfielder Juan. The diminutive Brazillian played against Wycombe in last week's training match at the Gunners training ground and is said to have impressed Tony Adams. The 21 year old has only made a couple of First Team appearances for Arsenal in a three year spell, was loaned to Millwall at the start of this season and has recently been on trial at PSV Eindhoven. |
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MEDIA SPECULATION
(Monday 1st December 2003)
It's time for the press to begin speculation again on whether Tony Adams will be tempted to speak to former Arsenal team-mate Gilles Grimandi. The 32 year old utility player was spotted as a guest in one of the executive boxes at Adams Park during the game with Peterborough but Adams wouldn't confirm if he would be pursuing his services. The Wycombe boss would also not be drawn on paper talk that Paul Gascoigne could be a target following his release from Wolves last week. |
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