All the news stories from October 2004
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MINNOWS AT HOME IN FA CUP
(Saturday 30th October 2004)
Wanderers were drawn at home to Liversedge or Coalville Town when the draw for the First Round proper of the FA Cup was made on Saturday evening. The two relatively unknown clubs drew 0-0 in Saturday's 4th Qualifying match at Liversedge and will replay on Tuesday to decide who will visit Adams Park on Saturday 13th November. Liversedge play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division while Coalville Town compete in the Midland Alliance. Neither side have ever reached the competition proper of the FA Cup before and both entered this season at the Extra Preliminary Round stage back in August. The media will know doubt alert us to a 'potential banana skin' but this represents a fantastic opportunity for Wycombe to pick up the £16,000 prize money for a First Round victory. |
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DARLINGTON 1 WYCOMBE 0
(Saturday 30th October 2004)
Wanderers made it eight League games without a win as they went down 1-0 at Darlington on Saturday. The winning goal came via a disputed 35th minutes penalty after Clyde Wijnhard had allegedly been pushed close to the right bye-line. The same player stepped up to slot the ball past Frank Talia. Three minutes later there was more uproar from the Wycombe bench when they were convinced that a penalty should have been awarded when Nathan Tyson tumbled in the box following a challenge by Jo Kendrick. Wanderers drop to 16th place in the table.
 Darlington 1 Wycombe 0 - Match report and reaction |
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'TIME TO BE SOLID' SAYS TA
(Friday 29th October 2004)
Tony Adams has continued his latest theory of maintaining a stable side via comments to the Bucks Free Press. He says "I've been chopping and changing too and tinkering too much. I need to need to get foundations laid and I'm not going to do that by changing systems and changing personel. It's time to be solid. But to be fair to me, the players have not warranted playing every week." Adams critcised his players for their performances at Scunthorpe and Boston but was pleased with the commitment shown in the recent home games and says he will stick with much the same line-up in the coming weeks. | |
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CURRIE HITS BACK AT ADAMS
(Friday 29th October 2004)
Darren Currie has hit back at critcism aimed at him by Tony Adams. The former Wanderers midfielder is quoted in the Bucks Free Press as saying "He says I wanted too much money but I took a pay cut of £200 to join Brighton. It was never a money issue for me. I've moved on and Tony Adams should move on. I want to put an end to any bad feeling and wish Wycombe Wanderers all the best because one day I would like to return to them." Currie, who will be 30 years old in November, has made 15 League starts for Brighton this season, scoring twice. |
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NEWS SNIPPETS
(Friday 29th October 2004)
Former Wanderer Steve Brown has turned down the offer to play at Newport County now managed by his former midfield partner John Cornforth. 'Brownie', who is currently work part-time with Wanderers Under 16 side, is thought to have dismissed the move due to the travelling involved. Meanwhile, it's reported that Wanderers are keeping an eye on Flackwell Heath's 19 year old goalkeeper Paul McCarthy. |
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BALL OFF TO WELLING
(Friday 29th October 2004)
Non-contract Youth Teamer Sonny Ball has moved on from a trial period at Windsor & Eton to what is understood to be a 'work experience' scheme at Conference South side Welling United. The 19 year old made his debut in The Wings 1-0 home defeat to Weymouth on Saturday 23rd October and then gained another place in the starting line-up as Welling drew 1-1 at home with pacesetters Hornchurch on the following Tuesday. Tony Adams commented to the Bucks Free Press "We do owe it to the lad to get him a career and we don't think it is going to be here" |
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FOUNDERS' TRUST UPDATE
(Thursday 28th October 2004)
The inaugural Annual General Meeting of the recently formed Wycombe Wanderers Founders Trust
has been confirmed for Wednesday 24th November. Interim Director Ian Mather has also commented after he attended his first PLC Board meeting as the initial representative of the Founders' Trust. Founder Shareholders must apply to join the Founders Trust. More details and an application form are available via the news update story below.
Founders' Trust news update - read more |
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QPR PRESSURE WASPS
(Wednesday 27th October 2004)
Reports in the Evening Standard on Wednesday are indicating that Queens Park Rangers will take legal action against London Wasps if the rugby club do not return to Loftus Road when their tenancy agreement at Wycombe ends in May 2005. A QPR spokesman is quoted as saying "They are contractually bound to come back. Even if they don't come back, they still have to pay us rent from next year. From our perspective, we are very relaxed. If they play at Loftus Road, fantastic, they will be welcomed back. If they decide to play elsewhere, they still have to pay us rent or come to an agreement to rip up the contract and pay us compensation." Wasps have eight more years of their contract to run at Loftus Road, equating to a rental income of over £2m. |
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BIRCHALL WANTS DEAL
(Tuesday 26th October 2004)
Loanee Adam Birchall has said that he would be very interested in staying at Wycombe if a longer term deal was offered. The Arsenal reserve striker told the 'Midweek' that he just wants to play first team football and added "I've been at Arsenal since I was ten. There is so much quality ahead of you that there comes a time when you might have to leave" Tony Adams rates Birchall and commented "Adam scores goals, he's intelligent. He can sniff a goal out. He reminds me very much of Tony Cottee and Paul Dickov." However, the Wycombe boss has revealed that the new PLC Board took their time in sanctioning the third and final month of Birchall's loan deal and is unsure if he will get the financial backing for a longer term agreement. |
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LET'S GET UGLY
(Tuesday 26th October 2004)
Tony Adams wants his side to become more 'ugly', especially away from home, in order for them to compete with the best in 'League Two'. Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Mansfield he said "The two away games I didn't think we competed enough and 9/10th's of this game is the ugly side of it. We've got to do it and not think we are great team before we start. We have got to earn that right. It's going to be a tough league. There are some very tough teams in it and we've got to compete. Away to Darlington I've got to have some winners." Adams was pleased with the way his side battle back against Mansfield and now wants that style translated to away games, adding "It's not nice to watch at times but you've got to do that side of the game. It's part of the game and if you don't compete then you don't win football games." |
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WYCOMBE 1 MANSFIELD 1
(Saturday 23rd October 2004)
Wanderers drew 1-1 at home for the third consecutive time - Mansfield Town being the latest opponents to frustrate Tony Adams' side. On a wet afternoon it was the visitors who took the lead a minute into the second-half when Derek Asamoah slotted home after the Wanderers defence were split by a quick exchange on the Mansfield left. Wycombe forced their way back into the game on the hour mark when Adam Birchall converted from the right side of the penalty area. Wanderers drop to 12th place in the table and are one point behind 7th placed Mansfield and seven points behind new leaders Scunthorpe United.
Wycombe 1 Mansfield 1 - Report and reaction |
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BIRCHALL GETS THIRD MONTH
(Friday 22nd October 2004)
Tony Adams has got his way and signed Adam Birchall for the third and final month of his short term deal from Arsenal. The 19 year old has scored three goals in eight games for the Wanderers and now has up to and including the game at Leyton Orient on Saturday 20th November to add to his tally and maybe convince Adams to convert the deal into a season long agreement. |
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FA YOUTH CUP DRAW
(Friday 22nd October 2004)
Wanderers Youth Team have been drawn at home to Crawley Town or Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Youth Cup First Round after the draw took place at 1pm on Friday. The tie at Adams Park is due to take place the week commencing 15th November. Meanwhile, Wanderers Under 18 side travel to play Queens Park Rangers on Saturday morning in their latest Football League Youth Alliance game. The clash takes place at Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, kick-off 11am. |
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LEFT BACK ON LOAN
(Friday 22nd October 2004)
Tony Adams has moved to sign Millwall's 19 year left sided defender Tony Craig for an inital one month loan. The former Lions Youth Teamer originally made an impact when he made his Football League debut towards the end of the 2002/3 season at the age of 18 under Mark McGee. However, a pelvic injury at the start of the following season limited his chances to ten further appearances while this season the Greenwich born youngster has failed to make First Team. He'll now look at his time at Wycombe as the chance for more vital Football League experience. The six footer becomes the fourth 'short term' loan deal available to Wycombe this season from a maximum of eight. |
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CAPACITY INCREASE DEBATE
(Thursday 21st October 2004)
Supporters, Club officials and local residents are set to enter into a war of words over plans to increase the capacity of Adams Park in order to satisfy the needs of London Wasps. Comments at the Fans Forum on 14th October re-inforced the Board's intention to keep the rugby club as tennants but indicated that the popular Valley End terrace may have to give way for a larger seated area.
Capacity increase debate - read more |
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PLEA FOR 'BUMS ON SEATS'
(Thursday 21st October 2004)
Wanderers PLC Chairman Ivor Beeks has rubbished suggestions that money is 'pouring in' as a result of the share issue scheme. He then pleaded, along with his fellow directors, for supporters to bring a friend to games to help improve income for the Football Club, saying "It really is the easiest way to try and increase things if we get more 'bums on seats'."
Plea for 'Bums on seats' - read more |
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EX-PLAYER NEWS
(Thursday 21st October 2004)
Some news of ex-Wanderers. Recently departed left-back Andy Reilly has been registered by Conference leaders Barnet. According to sources at Underhill, the former Wycombe Youth Teamer was recommended to Barnet PR consultant Dennis Signy by a Wycombe-supporting Football League colleague. Meanwhile 19 year old Youth and First Team squad member Sonny Ball has joined the former Wycombe gang at Windsor & Eton. He has already made his first team debut for Dennis Greene's side. It's unclear whether the move is permanent. Finally Charlie Mapes and Luke Oliver have been named in the 'England National Game XI' squad selected from Under 23 non-League players. They are set to travel to face an Italian team made up of 'Serie C' players on Wednesday 10th November. |
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TA WANTS BIRCHALL TO STAY
(Thursday 21st October 2004)
Tony Adams says he wants Adam Birchall to stay for the third and final month of his loan spell with the Club but has claimed the matter is out of his hands. He told BBC 3 Counties following the game with Rushden "I would like to keep him but that's up to the powers that be." In the same interview the Wycombe boss tried to play down the expectations of his side finishing high up the table, saying "I'm not bothered about that, I'm bothered about Wycombe Wanderers Football team and what we can build and do here. I've got 15 pro's and a budget of £700,000 and the lads really worked hard tonight so I'm totally behind my team and very supportive of them, they tried their hearts out, they created chances and I was very happy with that." |
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CHARLIE RETURNS TO BOLTON
(Wednesday 20th October 2004)
Charlie Comyn-Platt has returned to Bolton Wanderers after his initial month long loan with Wycombe was completed. The recently turned 19 year old made four appearances while with Wycombe, with his final game as substitute left-back in the midweek game with Rushden & Diamonds. Manager Tony Adams commented to the official website "I think it was a year too soon for Charlie. He's a good left sided centre half of the future. It was perhaps a little unfair on him to stick him out at left back but that's where we're struggling at the moment." |
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WYCOMBE 1 RUSHDEN 1
(Tuesday 19th October 2004)
Wanderers returned another trademark 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening as Rushden & Diamonds went away from Adams Park with a point despite finishing the game with ten men. Wycombe took the lead in the 14th minute with a neat finish from Adam Birchall from the right of the penalty area. However, the visitors equalised four minutes later with a spectacular overhead kick from Gary Mulligan. Graham Allen saw red for the visitors after pushing Nathan Tyson as the Wycombe striker ran through on goal. Wycombe go tenth in the table with fifth place Mansfield Town the visitors on Saturday.
Wycombe 1 Rushden 1 - Match report and reaction |
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TEMP COACH BROUGHT IN
(Monday 18th October 2004)
It's understood that Tony Adams is hoping to bring in England Under 19 coach Martin Hunter to assist in training sessions with his squad. Hunter, who is a former assistant Manager and Coach at Bradford City, has a university degree and has experience as a teacher of physical education and a football development officer. He will used on a temporary basis at Wycombe in between his role with the Football Association. |
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KICK IT OUT WEEK
(Monday 18th October 2004)
The national anti-racism week of action in football got underway at the weekend under the umbrella of the 'Kick it Out' campaigning group. Clubs from across the Divisions, community groups from every part of the country, and players of all abilities, will take part in activities. The week is the focus of symbolic anti-racism campaigning in football and will seek to celebrate the contribution made to football by black, Asian and other visible ethnic minorities, whilst making a stand against racism. Wanderers will use this week's home games as their focus on the campaign. Visit www.kickitout.org for campaign latest |
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YOUTH TEAM UPDATE
(Saturday 16th October 2004)
The Wanderers Youth Team were hit with an injury blow on Saturday when goalkeeper Dean Thornton suffered a broken leg during a 50/50 challenge in the Under 18 fixture with Brentford on Saturday. The game, played at the Training Ground on the Marlow Road, ended up as 0-0 draw. First Year Apprentice Thornton joins Under 16 squad members Jack Bennett (broken leg) and Jonathan Daily (broken toe) in the treatment room. |
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BOSTON 2 WYCOMBE 0
(Saturday 16th October 2004)
Wanderers dropped to 11th place in the League Two table after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Boston United on Saturday. After an even opening, Wycombe gifted the home side the lead in the 14th minute after a mix up between Matt Bloomfield and Joe Burnell in the midfield that was punished in clinical style by Andy Kirk. The same player added a second in the 51st minute and there was no way back for Tony Adams' side who in addition to Bloomfield and Burnell, welcomed back Mike Williamson after injury but were missing the suspended Stuart Nethercott. Despite being 11th, Wanderers are still only four points off the top of the table with more than a quarter of the season gone.
Boston United 2 Wycombe 0 - Match report and reaction |
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FOUNDERS TRUST REP
(Saturday 16th October 2004)
Interrim Founders Trust Director Ian Mather became the first representative from the newly formed 'Trust' to attend a PLC Board meeting on Friday, along with regular Directors Ivor Beeks, Brian Kane and Steve Hayes. Founder Trust members will have a chance to elect a more permanent rep at the first AGM of the Trust planned for Thursday 25th November. Membership is £10 for adults and you must join by 18th November to take part in the voting. However, nominations to be elected to sit on the Trust Board and the one representative on the Football Club PLC Board must be received by 1st November. More details on the Trust's dedicated website available at www.wwft.co.uk |
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TA ON BBC SPORT
(Friday 15th October 2004)
An interview with Tony Adams published on the BBC website has restated his intention to move on when his current contract expires with Wycombe in the summer of 2006. He said "The style of management at the top level is very different from the style of management of where I am today and that worries me. Maybe when my time is up here I may have to go into Europe because you do more coaching in those countries." However, Adams says he hopes he will have built a decent side before the end of his contract, concluding "When I came to Wycombe I'd been speaking to players and other managers and the upshot was that we were a soft-touch, that you could get into us in the first 15 minutes. That was our reputation but we've made this side a bit more secure and hard to beat. I'm happy if I'm labelled with that after I'm done here - but then I'll have to go to my next team and play with a bit of flair."
Full interview - external article link - BBC website |
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SAFE STANDING SURVEY
(Friday 15th October 2004)
Two years ago the Football Fans Census ran a survey concerning a Safe Standing campaign that is championing the return of terracing to football stadiums - not the large, old-style open terraces of yesteryear but small, specially-designed areas utilising the latest engineering technology. The FFC have re-launched the survey to see if attitudes towards Safe Standing remain the same or have changed over time. Please take time to complete the survey as the results are communicated to the relevant decision-makers and influencers in the game.
Visit footballfanscensus.com for Safe Standing survey |
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FANS FORUM
(Thursday 14th October 2004)
The first Fan Forum of the season took place on Thursday evening in the Vere Suite at Adams Park. The panel of guests was made up of Tony Adams, Ivor Beeks, Brian Kane, Steve Hayes and new General Manager John Harrison. Beeks, Kane and Hayes make up the three man board of the new Football Club PLC. Alan Parry was unable to attend due to commitments with Sky TV. Around 100 supporters turned out for the forum which saw brief speeches from members of the panel before a question and answer session lasting around 60 minutes. |
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NETHERCOTT SUSPENDED
(Thursday 14th October 2004)
The Club have revealed that Stuart Nethercott has been suspended for two games and fined £500 by the FA following an incident after the final whistle of the recent game at Scunthorpe. The former Millwall defender was reported by match referee Gary Lewis for an abusive remark made to the official. Nethercott will miss the game at Boston United on Saturday and the home meeting with Rushden the following Tuesday. The player did not request a personal hearing and pleaded guilty by letter. |
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BIRCHALL RETURNS TO SQUAD
(Tuesday 12th October 2004)
Adam Birchall will return to Wanderers' squad for Saturday's League Two trip to Boston United having been away on duty with Welsh U21 side. The on loan Arsenal reserve striker added two more caps to his name, playing last Friday against England at Blackburn and then scoring in the 2-2 draw with Poland on Tuesday evening in Swansea, both in UEFA U21 qualifiers. The second month of his loan deal at Wycombe ends after the home game with Mansfield Town on Saturday 23rd October but Tony Adams will have the option of extending it for one further month. |
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ANYA BREAKS CLUB RECORD
(Saturday 9th October 2004)
Congratulations to Youth Teamer Ikechi Anya who became the youngest ever player to date to appear for Wycombe in the Football League when he came on as substitute at Scunthorpe on Friday. At 16 years and 279 days old he beats the previous record held by Roger Johnson which was set in May 2000 at 17 years and 8 days. Anya is a First Year apprentice with The Wanderers who played for North Leigh in an Oxford junior league last season. He has gone on to impress Tony Adams with his displays in pre-season friendlies and also in Reserve friendly games. He made his First Team debut during a very brief substitute appearance in the LDV game at Aldershot. |
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SCUNTHORPE 2 WYCOMBE 0
(Friday 8th October 2004)
Wanderers were beaten on the road for the first time in six months, going down 2-0 to Scunthorpe United on Friday evening. After a lively opening from both sides it was Paul Hayes who opened the scoring on 27 minutes with a fantastic strike from 20 yards. Wycombe were then left reeling on 39 minutes when Stuart Nethercott was adjudged to have fouled Hayes in the penalty area and Andy Crosby made no mistake from the spot. Wycombe never recovered and the result sees Wanderers slip to 6th place in the table, while Scunthorpe went second thanks to Yeovil losing late on at Rochdale.
Scunthorpe 2 Wycombe 0 - Match report and reaction |
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LDV TICKET NEWS
(Friday 8th October 2004)
The Club have announced prices for the home LDV tie with Swansea City on Tuesday 2nd November. Entrance on the day for 'Main Seated Areas' will be £12 Adults, £10 Seniors and £8 under 16's. The Home Terrace will be £10 Adults, £7 Seniors and £3 under 16's. Note that the 'Family Stand' will be closed for this game but families will be accomodated in other areas of the ground at the same prices as the Home Terrace. Note also you can get a £2 discount if you purchase tickets in advance. |
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STRIKER - TRY AGAIN
(Thursday 7th October 2004)
Tony Adams has brought in 6'3" striker Zema Abbey on a month long deal following his release from Norwich City at the end of September. The deal will not count against Wycombe's loan allocation. The 27 year old had spent the last month on loan at Boston United where he was trying to regain fitness following two extended spells out of action with cruciate damage to both knees. The former Hitchin Town player originally moved to Norwich from Cambridge United in December 2000 for a £350,000 fee and scored seven goals in 59 League appearances (although close to half of these apps were from the bench). He scored once in five games while at Boston United where his brother Nathan Abbey (formerly at Luton Town and Chesterfield) plays in goal. |
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GAZZA/TA REUNION ON HOLD
(Wednesday 6th October 2004)
The press can lay down their pens on a possible Paul Gascoigne & Tony Adams reunion after 'Gazza' left Boston United just two months into his spell at York Street. 'Gazza' says he wants to move into a Player/Manager role and is looking to complete a coaching course at Lilleshall before looking for a possible position. Wanderers are due to travel to Boston on Saturday 16th October. Meanwhile, former Wycombe caretaker Manager John Gorman has joined the coaching staff at Gillingham following the departure of coach Wayne Jones. Gills chairman Paul Scally has insisted that manager Andy Hessenthaler's job is safe, so expect anything to happen. |
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ANDY REILLY QUITS
(Tuesday 5th October 2004)
First Year Pro Andy Reilly has quit the Wanderers just over six months after Tony Adams had signed the 18 year old on his first pro deal. A statement issued on the Club's official website said "Andy Reilly has left the club by mutual consent as of today in order to further his academic studies before returning to football at a later date." Reilly joined Wanderers at the age of 13 and was given his First Team debut by Tony Adams in the LDV tie with Colchester United in December 2003. He made his Football League debut later that month and after impressive performances at Chesterfield and Sheffield Wednesday plus a call-up for the Scottish Under 21, Adams went on to sign the youngster. However, just two further League appearances and none during the 2004/5 campaign have forced Reilly to think again about his future as Adams continues to bring in his own people ahead of a player given the No.3 shirt back at the start of the season. |
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PLC UPDATE
(Tuesday 5th October 2004)
With Ivor Beeks, Brian Kane and Steve Hayes revealed recently as the first Directors of the Football Club PLC, it has now been announced that the new Board have awarded former Directors of the previous Limited by Guarantee Company various honorary positions under the new set-up. Graham Peart, Alan Parry and Alan Thibault have been made 'Associate Directors' while Brian Lee, Gerald Cox and Derek Vere are now 'Life Members'. The latter join Gordon Richards, John Goldsworthy and John Reardon in this elite position although, at present, it is unclear how this title integrates into a PLC environment. Meanwhile, former Financial Director Rod Tomlin has been pushed aside by the PLC Board. Company Secretary Keith Allen commented via the matchday programme "Rod Tomlin worked tirelessly throughout the summer, mastermidning and guiding the re-constitution which would have not happened as smooothly without him. The Club are eternally grateful to him and he retains his enthusiasm for the Club by being a Vice-President." |
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SAVAGE BACK TO ROYALS
(Monday 4th October 2004)
On loan striker Bas Savage has returned to Reading after his initial month period with The Wanderers came to an end following Saturday's meeting with Shrewsbury Town. The 22 year old made two League and one LDV starts for Wycombe plus two appearances from the bench but failed to find the net. Tony Adams had originally indicated that he would like to have signed the former Walton & Hersham player on a permanent deal but has now said that the search for a striker will continue. |
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BIRCHALL AWAY WITH WALES
(Monday 4th October 2004)
Adam Birchall will miss Wanderers' trip to Scunthorpe United next Friday having been called up in the Welsh Under 21 squad to face England at Ewood Park the same evening and also take on Poland in Swansea the following Tuesday (12th October). 19 year old Birchall has already made five appearances for the Welsh U21's and will be hoping to add to his caps in the UEFA U21 qualifiers against England and Poland. |
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WYCOMBE 1 SHREWSBURY 1
(Saturday 2nd October 2004)
Wanderers came from behind to draw 1-1 with 22nd placed Shrewsbury Town on Saturday at Adams Park. A lethargic Wycombe went 1-0 down for the fifth consecutive League game when Darren Moss powered home a header following a corner from the left in the 37th minute. Wanderers improved again after the break and grabbed their point in the 74th minute when Danny Senda turned the ball home following a low cross from the left by Nathan Tyson. Wycombe looked the more likely winners in the dying minutes but had to settle for a result that moves Tony Adams' side down to fifth place in the table.
Wycombe 1 Shrewsbury 1 - Match report and reaction |
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SWANSEA AT HOME IN LDV
(Saturday 2nd October 2004)
Wycombe have been drawn at home to Swansea City in the 2nd Round of the LDV Vans Trophy after the draw was made on Saturday morning. The tie will take place the week commencing 1st November. The other southern section ties are; Bristol City v Milton Keynes Dons, Bristol Rovers v Barnet, Cambridge Utd v Leyton Orient, Cheltenham v Walsall, Exeter v Swindon, Southend v Shrewsbury and Torquay v Northampton.
Swansea City - Quick Guide
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BROWN TESTIMONIAL NEWS
(Friday 1st October 2004)
Steve Brown has said that he now hopes to arrange his testimonial for pre-season 2005/6 having found it difficult to find suitable opposition to commit during the current season. 'Brownie' revealed the news when speaking at the Founders Trust meeting on Thursday. The former Wanderers midfielder got married in the summer and has also been coaching the U16 Youth side at Wycombe to retain his connections with the Club. |
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