All the news stories from December 2008
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GILLINGHAM 1 WYCOMBE 1
(Sunday 28th December 2008)
Wanderers lead at the top of 'League Two' was cut to five points after an 85th minute equaliser from Gillingham forced a 1-1 draw at Priestfield on Sunday. Brentford were the team to take advantage as they won 2-0 at Exeter and The Bees also have a game in hand over Peter Taylor's side. Wanderers were perhaps fotunate to take the lead in the 31st minute when a clearance from Gills 'keeper Simon Royce cannoned off the rear end of Stuart Lewis and back into his own net after being chased down by Wanderers substitute Matt Bloomfield. Bloomfield had been called into action after David McCracken picked up a calf injury. The Gills piled on the pressure for much of the second-half and their deserved leveller came from a strike from the edge of the penalty area by Curtis Weston. Team news for Wycombe had seen
Mike Williamson, Lewwis Spence and John Mousinho return the starting line-up with Gary Holt rested. Bloomfield dropped to the becnch and Lewis Hunt missing after picking up an ankle injury in the Boxing Day game with Exeter City. Meanwhile, Will Antwi returned to the squad after being recalled early from his loan spell with Northwich Victoria. Wycombe: Shearer, Williamson, McCracken (sub 15 Bloomfield), Johnson, Woodman, Mousinho, Doherty (sub 68 Antwi), Spence, Phillips, Harrold, Balanta (sub 84 Vieira) - subs not used Young, Ashton - Att: 5,979 |
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WYCOMBE 1 EXETER CITY 1
(Friday 26th December 2008)
Wanderers first ever Football League meeting between with Exeter City ended 1-1 on Boxing Day at Adams Park. Wanderers got off to a dream start against the fifth placed side when a 6th minute penalty was converted by Matt Harrold after the same player had been fouled. A goalline clearance by David McCracken just before half-time kept Wanderers ahead but the visitors got their equaliser in the 57th minute when a clearance from Leon Johnson rebounded off the chest of Emmanuel Panther and past Scott Shearer. Both sides went on to create chances to win the game but a draw was probably the fairest result and one that sees Wycombe's lead at the top of table remain at seven points ahead of Sunday's game at Gillingham. Wycombe: Shearer, Hunt (sub 49 Mousinho), McCracken, Johnson, Woodman, Phillips (sub 84 Ashton), Doherty, Holt, Bloomfield (sub 64 Spence), Balanta, Harrold - subs not used: Young, Vieira - Att: 6,094 (Away end 686) |
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RHINO MADE TRUST V.P.
(Tuesday 23rd December 2008)
'Wycombe Wanderers Trust' have confirmed former Wanderers' legend Keith Ryan as their new Honorary Vice-President. Ryan, who made more than 500 appearances for Wycombe and is now Youth Team coach at QPR, commented, "I am proud of my association with Wanderers as player, as captain and as part of the management team. I am proud to be Vice-President of the new Trust. I still have a great relationship with the Wanderers supporters and I think that the Trust's role both in representing those fans and in protecting the heritage of the Club is really valuable. I am delighted to be involved with the Trust."
 Keith Ryan - COTN player profile
Press release from Trust website
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WATFORD 2 RESERVES 1
(Monday 22nd December 2008)
A relatively inexperienced Wanderers Reserves side lost 2-1 away to Watford on Monday evening in the Football Combination. Nathan Ashton hit the woodwork early on for the Wanderers but the Hornets took the lead in the 27th minute when Al Bangura fired past Youth Team 'keeper James Reading. The result looked sealed in the 83rd minute after Watford substitute Piero Mingoia struck home from outside the penalty area. However, a minute later Ashton scored with a low shot that set-up a frantic final few minutes but Watford held on for all three points.
Reserves info 2008/9 Wycombe: Reading, Rice, Crooks, Lumsden, Botham, Christon, Dobson, Richards, Daly (sub 90 McClure), Fitchett, Ashton - subs not used: McNeill, Read, Grayley, O'Regan |
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SHREWSBURY 0 WYCOMBE 1
(Saturday 20th December 2008)
Wanderers extended their lead at the top of 'League Two' to nine points after an impressive 1-0 victory at third placed Shrewsbury Town on Saturday. The only goal of the game came ten minutes into the second-half when a corner from the left by Matty Phillips was powerfully headed home by Matt Harrold. Team news had seen Leon Johnson replace Mike Williamson who
had picked up a slight groin strain in training, while Angelo Balanta was only deemed fit enough to take one of the subsitute spots. Meanwhile, The Shrews, who had beaten a Wycombe side 7-0 at Adams Park back in October in the Football League Trophy, included former Wycombe loanee Richard Walker in their line-up and top scorer Grant Holt who bagged five goals in the FLT tie. But this time around it was Wycombe's defence who came away with flying colours as they held strong despite immense pressure from the home side in the final fifteen minutes. Wycombe: Shearer, Hunt, Johnson, McCracken, Woodman, Doherty, Bloomfield (sub 88 Mousinho), Holt, Phillips (sub 78 Spence), Church (sub 89 Vieira), Harrold - subs not used Young, Balanta - Att: 6,160 |
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LOANEE NEWS
(Friday 19th December 2008)
The Club confirmed on Thursday that Angelo Balanta's loan deal from QPR has been extended until 14th February 2009. The youngster originally joined on a two month deal but this has now been extended to the maximum 'short term' period. Balanta missed the recent game with Luton with a hamstring strain but is expected to be fit for the trip to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday (20th December). Meanwhile, Peter Taylor hopes to persuade Reading that he can take Simon Church on loan for the remainder of the season after his final 'short term' loan expires following the game with The Shrews.
Franck Moussa's loan deal from Southend United also expires after Saturday's game but is expected to return to the Essex club. Elsewhere, Will Antwi has had his loan deal at Northwich Victoria extended by a further month but Wanderers have the option to recall the defender. |
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TRUST PRESIDENT CONFIRMED
(Thursday 18th December 2008)
'Wycombe Wanderers Trust' have confirmed that Karen Adams, granddaughter of Wanderers' benefactor Frank Adams, will be their new Honorary President. Speaking of her appointment, Karen said “I am very happy to take this role on because of my family’s long and proud association with Wycombe Wanderers, in playing and administration and in gifting Loakes Park to the Club. I want to do the best for the Trust as it seeks to preserve and build on the Club’s proud history.”
Adams Family connections - COTN archive
Press release from Trust website
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GRANT ABSENCE COMMENT
(Wednesday 17th December 2008)
The Club have released an official statement regarding the ongoing absence of Gavin Grant. The 24 year old striker has been unavailable for selection since missing the game with Darlington on Saturday 16th October 2008. A statement from Club MD Steve Hayes on the official website reads, "Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside the club's control, Gavin Grant has been unavailable for selection for the past few weeks. He is experiencing personal problems, but we are hopeful that the matter will be resolved in due course."
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RESERVES 2 NORTHAMPTON 3
(Tuesday 16th December 2008)
Wanderers Reserves went down 3-2 to Northampton Town at Marlow on Tuesday evening after leading 2-0 with 20 minutes played. Wycombe took the lead in the 16th minute when Nathan Ashton converted a penalty after he had been fouled by Liam Ruddick. The lead was doubled four minutes later when a mix-up in the Cobblers defence saw John Mousinho tap in. However, the visitors hit back with a goal on 35 minutes when Colin Larkin converted Ian Henderson's cross. The scores were level two minutes after the restart when Larkin again made good from Henderson's delivery. The winner came on 53 minutes when Adebayo Akinfenwa headed past Jamie Young from Henderson's free-kick. Team news saw Matt Richards, who will officially join the Wanderers on 1st January 2009, play again after impressing in previous Reserve outings. Elsewhere, Lewis Christon featured in defence after returning from his one month loan spell with Oxford City. Reserves info 2008/9 Wycombe: Young, Rice, Christon, Crooks, Duncan, Mousinho, Richards, Ashton, Dobson, Fitchett, Botham (sub 81 Daly) - subs not used: Reading, Grayley, McClure, Lumsden |
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WYCOMBE 0 LUTON 0
(Saturday 13th December 2008)
Wanderers remain six points clear at the top of 'League Two' after playing out a goalless draw with Luton Town at a rain swept Adams Park on Saturday.
With surface water making conditions underfoot difficult throughout it was the goalkeepers on each side who came out with added praise. Wycombe's Scott Shearer made his save of the match on 54 minutes when he dived to his right to deny Kevin Gallen, while Luton's Conrad Logan made a double save on 83 minutes to shut out Magno Vieira and then Matt Phillips. Team news for Wycombe had seen Matt Bloomfield make his first start of the season, while loanee Simon Church returned after his recent injury. Angelo Balanta missed out through injury. Wycombe: Shearer, Hunt, Williamson, McCracken, Woodman, Phillips (sub 87 Moussa), Doherty, Holt, Bloomfield (sub 72 Spence), Harrold, Church (sub 73 Vieira) - subs not used: Young, Johnson - Att: 5,567 (away end 1,118) |
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WILLO CONTRACT TALK
(Friday 12th December 2008)
The pre-transfer window talk has made its way to the local press. Top of the list is Mike Williamson who is 'stalling on signing a new deal', according to the Bucks Free Press. Manager Peter Taylor is quoted as saying, "Mike hasn’t signed and I don’t expect him to, that’s how football is. He has decided that he wants to wait and see what happens and I can respect that." Taylor adds, "If the vultures come in for any of my players in January they are going to need quite a bit of money. We’re not going to let anybody go on the cheap.". Meanwhile, the Wycombe Manager has hinted that he may sign another striker in January if he is unable to extend the loan deals for Angelo Balanta and Simon Church. Church, whose loan deal expires on 20th December, is expected to be available again for Wanderers following injury for the match with Luton Town on Saturday at Adams Park. And commenting on Scott McGleish's future at the Club, Taylor said, "If Northampton want him at the end of the loan I would consider it, but I’m also happy if it doesn’t happen because he will be coming back to us match-fit." |
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COMBINED TRUST LAUNCH
(Friday 12th December 2008)
The official launch of 'Wycombe Wanderers Trust' will take place at the home game against Luton on Saturday 13th December. The Trust has been formed by merging the Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Trust and the Wycombe Wanderers Founders Trust into a single body which will elect two fan directors onto the Club PLC Board. The newly formed Trust has also launched a new look website with information on how to join. More info
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ADAMS PARK NEWS
(Wednesday 10th December 2008)
Wanderers officials are hinting that news of improving parking and access to Adams Park will be released early in the New Year. Club MD and now London Wasps owner Steve Hayes said at the recent AGM that plans to build a new stand could not be considered until these issues had been resolved, adding, "We hope to make an announcement regarding this in the new year, but it will only be a temporary measure and it is still a long way off. There will be no cost to the football club." Hayes repeated similar indications in an interview on BBC London on Friday (5th December) but didn't want to elaborate in case it 'scuppered' the plans. Meanwhile, Wycombe District Council Cabinet withdrew an item on 'Wycombe Stadium' at their meeting held on 1st December. This related to the feasability study on the proposed site at Booker Airfield although it's now understood that there may be other site options looked into. A statement by the Board at the recent AGM said, "All parties are committed to trying to relocate the stadium in the longer term to a venue (within Wycombe) that is in the interests of the Club, our supporters and local residents." The Board say they hope to progress the feasability in the next few weeks, "...providing that the preconditions to doing so, which are being negotiated, are satisfactory." |
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YOUNGSTERS EXTEND LOANS
(Tuesday 9th December 2008)
Wanderers First Year professionals Darrell Ellams and Jamie Turley have both had their loan deals at Isthmian Premier sides extended by a further month. Ellams and Turley joined Hitchin Town and Hendon respectively on 6th November and have impressed their respective Managers enough to warant deals lasting until 10th January 2009. Both players are contracted with Wycombe until June 2009. Meanwhile, central defender Lewis Christon is due to return from a months loan with Oxford City on Wednesday (10th December).
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ALDERSHOT 3 WYCOMBE 2
(Saturday 6th December 2008)
Wanderers' unbeaten start to their 2008/9 Football League campaign came to an end on Saturday following a 3-2 defeat at Aldershot Town. Peter Taylor, who had picked up the Manager of the Month award during the week, saw his side trail 2-0 at the break after goals from Kirk Hudson on 12 and 29 minutes. A fierce angled strike from the left channel by Angelo Balanta on 76 minutes gave Wycombe hope but The Shots broke away on 88 minutes to restore their two goal lead through Danny Hylton. A deflected long range effort from Matt Phillips in stoppage time reduced the deficit to 3-2 but there was no miracle last grasp equaliser. Despite the defeat, Wanderers are now six points clear at the top of the 'League Two' table with the next game at home to Luton Town on Saturday 13th December. Wycombe: Shearer, Hunt, Williamson, McCracken, Woodman, Moussa (sub HT Harrold), Holt (sub 67 Phillips), Doherty, Spence, Vieira (sub 66 Bloomfield), Balanta - subs not used Young, Johnson - Att: 3,915 (away end 842) |
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MD AT WASPS REACTION
(Friday 5th December 2008)
There has been the inevitable reaction to the news that Wanderers MD Steve Hayes has taken up a 97% stake in ground tenants London Wasps. Hayes himself has also reaffirmed that if any 'conflicts of interest' exist then he, 'will step away from it and let the Chief Executive (Wasps) or the Chairman (Wycombe) deal with it'. Hayes also says that the local Council are likely to be more supportive of his plans to move to a bigger stadium. Hayes says the Council now have the security that he is a majority shareholder with Wasps and has the desire to keep the rugby side in Wycombe, rather than dealing with a board with potentially split views and suggestions of leaving the area.
Statement from Wycombe Wanderers Supporters' Trust
Bucks Free Press report
Official website
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DERBY YOUNGSTER ON TRIAL
(Friday 5th December 2008)
Derby County youngster Matty Richards has been given an extended trial with Wycombe having impressed in training and with the Reserves. The 19 year old midfielder spent the early part of the season on trial at Shrewsbury Town but returned to Pride Park before appearing for Wanderers Reserves in the Combination game with Peterborough on 30th September. He will now train with Wycombe until the end of the season with a view to earning a deal after his contract with Derby runs out. |
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TAYLOR GRABS AWARD
(Thursday 4th December 2008)
Peter Taylor has picked up the 'League Two' Manager of the Month award for November after seeing his side return three wins and one draw from their four League games during the month. Wanderers drew 0-0 at Rotherham, before beating Bradford City, Port Vale and Notts County to take a clear lead at the top of the table. The same period also saw a 4-1 victory away to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup, while the month closed with defeat to Eastwood Town in the same competition. |
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TRUST DISAPPOINTED
(Wednesday 3rd December 2008)
Wycombe Wanderers Supporters' Trust have responded to Steve Hayes's recent comments in the press regarding wanting to own more than a 25% stake in the Football Club. A report on the Trust website says "The Trust's Board is disappointed by Mr. Hayes's reported remarks and denies Mr. Hayes's accusation of feet dragging".
See wwst.org for full report |
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MD TAKES WASPS OWNERSHIP
(Wednesday 3rd December 2008)
Wanderers PLC MD Steve Hayes has taken up a majority shareholding in London Wasps after purchasing the shares of current Wasps Board Directors, Chris Wright and John O’Connell. Hayes, who will become the new Wasps Chairman, revealed that he became a 11% shareholder in Wanderers' ground tenants back in August 2007 and before a formal announcement of a 25% stake in October 2007. Hayes has constantly made public his intentions to drive the Club towards a new ground sharing scheme with Wasps. The local council are currently undertaking a £250,000 feasibilty study on the proposed site at Booker Airfield. Meanwhile, Wanderers hold their AGM on Thursday with Hayes now able to attend and take questions on the announcement, despite previous correspondence from the Club informing shareholders that he would be unable to attend due to a previously arranged business meeting.
Press release from London Wasps
Evening Standard report
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WYCOMBE 4 MACCLESFIELD 0
(Tuesday 2nd December 2008)
Wanderers extended their lead at the top of 'League Two' to seven points following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Macclesfield Town at a chilly Adams Park on Tuesday evening. Magno Vieira, getting his first start for Wycombe due to injuries to both Chris Zebroski and Matt Harrold, celebrated with goals on 11 and 51 minutes, while the victory was complemented with a wonder strike from Angelo Balanta on the stroke of half-time and Leon Johnson's close range strike on 71 minutes after Lewis Spence's free-kick had been spilled by Macclesfield 'keeper Jon Brain. Wycombe: Shearer, Hunt, Johnson, McCracken, Woodman, Moussa, Doherty (sub 85 Bloomfield), Holt (sub 75 Ashton), Spence, Vieira, Balanta (sub 81 Phillips) - subs not used: Young, Crooks - Att: 3,770 (away end 55) |
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