All the news stories from September 2004
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FOUNDERS TRUST LAUNCH
(Thursday 30th September 2004)
Around eighty former members of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club attended the 'Consultation Meeting' of the Founders Trust on Thursday in the Vere Suite at Adams Park. Interim Trust Board members David McGee and Ian Mather went through in detail the expected role of the Trust while former Wanderers' player Steve Brown was a guest speaker during a break from the formal discussions.
It's planned that the first AGM of the Trust will take place on Thursday 25th November and Founder Share holders 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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COUNCIL KEEN ON WASPS
(Thursday 30th September 2004)
As indicated previously on Chairboys on the Net, it's about to be more widely revealed that Wycombe District Council having been holding meetings with London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers regarding a feasability study on keeping the rugby club playing at Adams Park after the end of the current season. Wasps owner Chris Wright, writing in a recent matchday programme said "Wycombe District Council is being extremely cooperative to resolve some of the difficult issues regarding the planning consent required to increase the stadium capacity. However, at the end of the day it may prove impossible to resolve their issues, but for the time being we are working together to explore every avenue." It's also understood that a back-up plan involves the possibilty of a new stadium in the Handy Cross area if access and capacity issues can not be solved at Adams Park. |
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WANDERERS THROUGH IN LDV
(Tuesday 28th September 2004)
Wanderers won through to the Second Round of the LDV Vans Trophy with a 1-0 victory at Aldershot Town on Tuesday evening. Wycombe had to wait until the 67th minute to grab the winner when substitute Jonny Dixon flicked home at the near post following a Danny Senda corner from the left.
 Aldershot Town 0 Wycombe 1 - LDV Match report
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INJURY UPDATE
(Monday 27th September 2004)
While their is still no official comment on Nathan Tyson's injury problem, Tony Adams has given an indication on the possible return of other members of his squad. Speaking to the media after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Cheltenham he said that Mike Williamson would see a specialist on Monday and if given the all clear could be available for Saturday's game with Shrewsbury. Meanwhile, glandular fever victim Joe Burnell is set to be given the OK to return to training and would then be three or four weeks away from a return to action. Fellow midfielder Matt Bloomfield returned to training last week and should be available after completing his four weeks 'pre-season training'. |
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CHELTENHAM 1 WYCOMBE 1
(Saturday 25th September 2004)
Wanderers missed the chance to register three consecutive away League victories for the first time since April 1999 after they grabbed a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town on Saturday. In a dour contest it was the home side who took the lead in the 36th minute when Jamie Victory beat Frank Talia to a ball into the box to head home. Wanderers hit back after the break and eventually drew level in the 75th minute when Keith Ryan struck home a low shot from just outside the box.
Cheltenham 1 Wycombe 1 - Report and reaction |
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TYSON INJURY MYSTERY
(Saturday 25th September 2004)
Mystery surrounds reports in the local press saying there was a major injury doubt over Nathan Tyson ahead of Saturday's visit to Cheltenham. Tyson played a full 90 minutes against one of his former clubs but it came after the Bucks Free Press had reported that Wanderers top scorer had been ruled out by Club Physio Shay Connolly with what was understood to be a hamstring injury. Adams commented to the BFP "Nathan's been quieter than usual and I think it could be something to do with the injury he has picked up. He is not firing on all guns and a fit Nathan Tyson is very dangerous at this level." It's unclear at this stage when the injury occured and there had been no official word from the Club as of Saturday evening. Press reports also suggested that Tyson has been booked in to see a specialist on an injury that is thought to have prompted Tony Adams to sign up Adam Birchall for another month on loan from Arsenal. |
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U18'S DRAW AT POMPEY
(Saturday 25th September 2004)
Wanderers U18's came back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3
at Portsmouth on Saturday morning in Football League Youth Alliance fixture. A brace from James Keene had put the home side in control early on but Ryan Tackley reduced the arrears midway through the half and just before the break Andy Savage converted a penalty after Matty Fox had been tripped. In the second half Shahed Ahmed followed up an Ikechi Anya shot that had come back off the post to put Wycombe ahead for the first time but Liam Horsted grabbed a late equaliser to ensure the sides shared the points. Youth Team info 2004/2005 |
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YOUTH TEAM UPDATE
(Friday 24th September 2004)
Wanderers have put two Youth Team players on 'work experience' schemes at local clubs. Midfielder Liam Grier has teamed up with Marlow while central defender Kieron Gradwell has joined Beaconsfield SYCOB. Both schemes are for a month. Youth Team info 2004/2005 |
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GUPPY MOVE POSSIBLE
(Thursday 23rd September 2004)
After tabloid stories were rubbished by many Wycombe fans, Tony Adams has revealed that he is considering making a move to bring back Steve Guppy to Wycombe Wanderers. The Wycombe boss told the Bucks Free Press "I've spoken to Steve and I would like to get him. He's keen to come back as well but there are a lot of if's in the way." 'Gupps' is currently half-way through a month long deal with Stoke City and could be offered an extended deal there he if does well. Meanwhile, Adams is monitoring the situation and finances permitting is understood to want to sign the 35 year old until the end of the year when the former Wanderer intends to move to the USA to work. |
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FORMER PLAYER NEWS
(Wednesday 22nd September 2004)
Some former Wycombe players have been in the news this week. On Tuesday evening Jermaine McSporran scored Doncaster Rovers second goal in their 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the Second Round of the Carling Cup. 'Jocky' joined Doncaster in the summer having spent a short spell at Walsall following his departure from Wycombe on deadline day last season. Meanwhile, at the weekend, Stuart Roberts made his debut for Conference strugglers Forest Green Rovers having failed to gain a contract with Kidderminster Harriers. Finally, former Wanderers striker Viv Busby has left the Youth Team Manager's role at Swindon Town to become Assistant Manager at York City where he spent five years as player and then coach in the 1980's. |
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FOUNDERS TRUST LAUNCH
(Tuesday 21st September 2004)
Former members of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club Limited are due to receive details of a 'Consultation Meeting' of the Founders Trust which will take place on Thursday 30th September in the Vere Suite at Adams Park, starting at 8pm. The objective of the 'Founders Trust' includes protecting the heritage of the Football Club following the conversion to a PLC in July 2004. Membership of the Trust will also be open to all other current Season Ticket holders of three years or more. Former Wanderers' player Steve Brown has agreed be a guest speaker at the open meeting where the agenda includes discussion on putting forward an elected representative to sit on the PLC Board.
More information plus link to new website |
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BIRCHALL STAYS AFTER ALL
(Tuesday 21st September 2004)
Surprise news today when the Club announced that Adam Birchall has signed for a further month. The Arsenal striker was expected to return to Highbury after playing the final game of initial month long loan against Swansea City on Saturday. The Welsh Under 21 international made 6 appearances for The Wanderers in his brief stay at Adams Park, scoring two goals, both during the victory over Grimbsy Town. |
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BRIAN CLOUGH - 1935-2004
(Tuesday 21st September 2004)
Tributes are being paid this week for goalscoring sensation and managerial legend Brian Clough who died on Monday aged 69 from stomach cancer following a long illness. 'Cloughie' was Manager of his Nottingham Forest side when they visited Wycombe for the first ever game at Adams Park back in August 1990. Former Wycombe Manager and player under Clough at Forest was shaken by the news but paid tribute, saying "Brian Clough was absolutely sensational, a truly brilliant manager. I don’t think Brian would disagree with it either, he would have been the first one to say he was the greatest of all time." |
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TA - THE INDEPENDENT
(Monday 20th September 2004)
An interview with Tony Adams appeared in The Independent on Monday conducted by Brian Viner. In the piece, Adams reveals that he had doubts about whether he'd done the right thing shortly after taking the Wycombe job in November 2003, "You like to think you'll have a few players you can work with. It's disappointing to find that you don't think you can work with any of them." He also criticises aspects of behind the scenes at Wycombe, adding "The place was dusty, it was horrible, but it would have been a mistake not to stay." The Wycombe boss talks of his thoughts on using foreign players and general player selection, before concluding "My ambition is to leave this club in a better state than I found it in. I've another season after this one. I'll probably take some time off after that, then come again."
External article link - independent.co.uk |
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SIN-BIN EXPERIMENT?
(Monday 20th September 2004)
Reports in the national media over the weekend indicated that the Football League are looking at trialling 'sin-bins' in senior football in the UK for the time. It's understood that moves are in place to try out the system in the LDV Vans Trophy before considering more widespread use. The plans, which have yet to be finalised, would require FIFA approval but the suggestion is that players are forced to sit out ten minutes of the game for certain yellow card offences such as kick the ball away and encroaching. Three of these type of offences in one game would result in a red card. |
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GUPPY TO RETURN?
(Monday 20th September 2004)
A report in the News of the World on Sunday suggested that former Wanderers winger Steve Guppy could be making a surprise return to play for Wycombe. Guppy, now 35 years old, was released by Martin O'Neill at Celtic in January 2004 and completed the season at his former club, Leicester City. Released by The Foxes in the summer and after a brief spell with Leeds United is currently on a month long contract with Stoke City that expires on 12th October. The story is being taken with the appropriate 'pinch of salt' by Wycombe fans.
Steve Guppy - player profile |
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WYCOMBE 0 SWANSEA CITY 1
(Saturday 18th September 2004)
Wanderers' brief spell at the top of the table ended on Saturday as Swansea City took all three points from their visit to Adams Park. The visitors scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute when a shot from Andy Gurney was spilled by Frank Talia on the wet surface and Andy Robinson was first to the loose ball to convert. The game saw the Wycombe debut of Charlie Comyn-Platt after his loan deal from Bolton Wanderers was finalised before the 12 noon deadline.
Wycombe 0 Swansea 1 - Match report and reaction |
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YOUTHS LOSE TO COLU
(Saturday 18th September 2004)
Wanderers U18 side went down 1-0 to Colchester United on Saturday morning at Molins Sports Ground in the Football League Youth Alliance. With Tony Adams watching on, Gary Smith's side lost out to a goal from Russell Pond in the 27th minute when he converted with a low shot from the right side of the penalty area. Wycombe included First Team squad members Russell Martin, Shahed Ahmed and Andy Reilly in the line-up as 'over aged' players but they could not help overcome a well organised Colchester United side managed by Joe Dunne.
Youth Team info 2004/2005 |
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DEFENDER ON LOAN
(Friday 17th September 2004)
The Club confirmed on Friday evening that Tony Adams was in the process of signing 18 year old Bolton Wanderers defender Charlie Comyn-Platt on a month's loan. The move had until 12noon on Saturday to be finalised to enable his involvement in the meeting with Swansea City. The 6'2" player can play in a central or left sided defensive role and the move comes after continuing doubts over the fitness of Mike Williamson ahead of the Swansea game. The highly rated Comyn-Platt has yet to make his Premiership debut for the Trotters although he did play in the FA Cup defeat to Tranmere Rovers last season, as well as a brief substitute appearance in a League Cup tie versus Walsall. He would become Tony Adams' third 'Short Term' loan of the season from a maximum of eight. Wycombe also have Gary Silk and Mike Williamson on 'Long Term' deals (maximum four), while a maxium of five loan players can be named in a matchday squad. |
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WASPS TALKS SOON
(Friday 17th September 2004)
Chairboys on the Net understands that talks between the Club and London Wasps over an extended ground tenancy agreement have already begun with new General Manager John Harrison being tasked with bringing the situation to a head. Wasps have well documented issues over the 10,000 capacity limit on Adams Park but it's understood that longer terms plans are being developed behind the scenes to overcome this with deals ranging from five to ten years on the cards. The RFU must hear from Wasps by the end of the year of their plans for next season but the rugby club want the deal sorted sooner rather than later. |
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MORE ON NEW GEN. MANAGER
(Thursday 16th September 2004)
New PLC 'General Manager' John Harrsion watched his first Wycombe game on Wednesday as he saw the Reserves go down 3-0 to Cambridge United. 41 year old Harrison joined the Club on Monday having spent the previous five years working for global investment bank 'Credit Suisse First Boston'. Born in Wales, Harrison went to University in Swansea in the early 1980's and has developed a business background that includes working in finance, efficiencies and customer service logistics, as well as general management. He says he has a keen interest in sports with rugby and cricket cited as well as football and is looking forward to the challenge at Wycombe as it's very different to what he has done in the past. Harrison is expected to be added to the Fans Forum panel scheduled for Thurs 14th Oct. |
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RESERVES GO DOWN 3-0
(Wednesday 15th September 2004)
Tony Adams' hopes of bringing in a triallist at left back in Wednesday afternoon's Reserve friendly fixture at Adams Park against Cambridge United didn't come to fruition as Wanderers went down 3-0 with a Youth Team based line-up. The most experienced player for Wycombe was Roger Johnson who returned to his more familiar centre-back role having been forced to fill in at left-back during First Team outings. Meanwhile, the visitors included French midfield triallists Fred Moka and Michel Gafour and Manchester United youngster James Jowsey in goal. Wanderers trailed 1-0 at the break before the visitors confirmed an easy victory following the interval. Line-up: Williams, Ball, Cadmore, Johnson (sub 70 Gradwell), Reilly, Fox, Martin, Grier, Anya, Dixon, Ahmed |
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GEN. MANAGER APPOINTED
(Monday 13th September 2004)
Following a meeting between the new PLC Board and Club staff, it's been announced that John Harrison has been appointed in a new position of 'General Manager'. It's understood that Harrison comes from a financial background and is likely to take on roles similar to that of the ill-fated Chief Executive Simon Monkman back in 2002. Harrison commented to the Wanderers official website "They've had a rocky ride over the past couple of years and hopefully we can implement some positive changes for the good of the club." He went to add "With all football clubs, matchday revenue is such an important part of the scenario and Wycombe needs to ensure that it gets bums on seats." |
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YOUTHS GO DOWN AT ORIENT
(Saturday 11th September 2004)
A relevatively inexperienced Wanderers U18 side went down 1-0 away to Leyton Orient on Saturday morning in the Football League Youth Alliance. Wanderers were short of Russell Martin and Tom Cadmore (both injured), while Shahed Ahmed and Ikechi Anya both travelled with the First Team to Southend. The only goal of the game came on 72 minutes from Efe Echanomi.
Youth Team info 2004/2005 |
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SOUTHEND 1 WYCOMBE 2
(Saturday 11th September 2004)
Wanderers went top of 'League Two' on Saturday evening after coming from a goal down to beat Southend United 2-1 at Roots Hall. Southend took the lead on 42 minutes through a Mark Bentley header and Wycombe rarely looked like getting back into the game until a typical burst of pace from Nathan Tyson saw the former Reading striker beat the offside trap and level matters on the hour with a low angled shot. From then on the points were up for grabs and a wonder strike from Danny Senda out on the right wing won the match with eight minutes left on the clock, leaving a decent travelling support from Wycombe with plenty to celebrate. Southend 1 Wycombe 2 - Match report and reaction |
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WANDERERS GO TOP
(Saturday 11th September 2004)
Wanderers went top of a Football League division for the first time ever after Saturday's 2-1 smash and grab raid at Southend. Wycombe went into the game in third place behind Scunthorpe United and Bristol Rovers but they lost to Chester City and Leyton Orient respectively leaving Wanderers two points clear at the top with 17 points from the opening eight games. The previous occasion Wycombe headed a table was at the end of the 1992/93 Conference Championship season. |
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NO FUNDS FOR BIRCHALL
(Friday 10th September 2004)
Tony Adams says that lack of funds may prevent him from extending Adam Birchall's loan beyond its first month. The Wycombe boss told the Bucks Free Press "We’ve got to look at finance because it’s all gone and I don’t want to sell my shed or my car at this point yet.” The Arsenal youngster's loan run until 22nd September and although Adams believes the 19 year old will not make the Gunners First Team, he does thinks he has a future at Wycombe, adding ”Whether he stays here for a couple of months is pretty much out of my hands. It’s up to the financial situation here” However, Adams is considering the option of making Bas Savage's deal a permanent one. Commenting on loan deals, Adams said ”I prefer players who can do us a job rather than those who will go back and do a job for a Premiership or Championship club. I’m going to use my loans that way." |
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WASPS DILEMMA
(Thursday 9th September 2004)
London Wasps have been told by the RFU that they must give an answer by the end of the year on whether they intend staying as tenants of Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park for the 2005/6 season and beyond. Meanwhile, in a strange twist of fate, Wasps' have appointed a new Chief Executive in the form of David Davies who up until the start of the current season had been in the CEO role at former Wasps landlords Queens Park Rangers.
Wasps dilemma - full story and ironic quotes |
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NEW BOARD TO MEET STAFF
(Thursday 9th September 2004)
Chairboys on the Net understands that Wanderers' newly formed PLC Board of Directors are set to announce more detailed plans for the future structure of the Club at a staff meeting on Monday 13th September. The new Board will consist of current Chairman Ivor Beeks and Vice Chairman Brian Kane plus Steve Hayes from shirt sponsors loans.co.uk. Hayes, whose credit-broker company are also major sponsors of London Wasps, is expected to take a leading role in the new direction of the Club. It's suggested that one of the new Board's first tasks will be the recruitment of a Commercial Director to "head up the non-football related profit centres". A statement to Founder Shareholders is expected shortly after next Monday's meeting. |
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FRIENDLY DEFEAT TO BEES
(Tuesday 7th September 2004)
A youthful Wanderers XI lost 1-0 to Brentford on Tuesday afternoon at Adams Park in a friendly fixture. In extremely warm conditions Wycombe included four triallists in the starting line-up; Goalkeeper Matt Baker; Midfielder Oliver O'Neill and strikers Seamus McCabe and Kevin George. In a fairly even contest Wanderers hit the woodwork twice before the visitors grabbed the winner in the 70th minute when a mistake by Keiron Gradwell let in Alex Rhodes to shot past Baker. Line up: Baker, Ball, Reilly, O'Neill (sub HT Fox), Cadmore, Gradwell, Anya, Martin, Dixon, McCabe (sub HT Douglas), George (sub 74 Gregory) - subs not used: Williams, Grier |
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YOUTHS WIN AT GILLS
(Saturday 4th September 2004)
There was an excellent victory for Wanderers U18's Youth Team on Saturday morning at Gillingham. Shahed Ahmed opened the scoring for Wycombe on 11 minutes when he followed up Steve Gregory's shot and Russell Martin added a second seven minutes before the interval. The Gills pulled one back within a minute of restarting the game when George Purchell fired in from an angle but Wanderers added two more goals in the second-half - Sonny Ball netting both - the first a 60th minute free-kick and then seven minutes later a close range effort after a Wycombe breakaway. Youth Team info 2004/2005 |
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WYCOMBE 1 OXFORD UTD 1
(Friday 3rd September 2004)
Wanderers missed the chance to go top of 'League Two' on Friday evening after drawing 1-1 with Oxford United in front of the Sky cameras at Adams Park. United took the lead on 20 minutes when Leo Roget dived in to head home from close range. Wycombe got back on level terms in the final minute of the first-half when loanee Bas Savage was fouled in the area and Nathan Tyson converted the spot-kick. There were chances for both sides in the second-half but Wanderers were eventually glad to hold on for a draw after Gary Silk was sent off in the 78th minute for picking up two yellow cards in the space of 60 seconds.
Wycombe 1 Oxford United 1 - report and reaction |
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ROYAL SIGNED ON LOAN
(Thursday 2nd September 2004)
Wanderers have signed Reading striker Bas Savage on a month's loan and the 22 year old goes straight into the squad to face Oxford United on Friday. The 6'1" target man signed for Reading midway through the 2001/2 season from Walton Hersham but has made just six League starts plus 10 appearances from the bench for The Royals First Team and has yet to make the scoresheet. Having missed the whole of the 2002/3 season through injury, he signed a new one year contract in the summer and will be hoping that a drop to 'League Two' football will improve his First team chances in much the same way as former Royals team mate Nathan Tyson. Savage has also played in midfield for The Royals reserve side this season but Tony Adams is understood to favour him in a striker's role and has indicated he wants to sign him on a permanent deal. |
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FANS FORUM ANNOUNCED
(Thursday 2nd September 2004)
The Club have announced the first Fan Forum of the season. It will take place on Thursday 14th October in the Vere Suite at Adams Park, starting at 7.30pm. The provisional panel of guests includes Tony Adams, Ivor Beeks, Brian Kane, Steve Hayes and Alan Parry. Hayes, who is involved with the Club's shirt sponsors loans.co.uk, is understood to be in line to become a Director of the new PLC. Attendance of the forum is open to all. |
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