All the news stories from January 2009
 |
WYCOMBE 2 ACCRINGTON 1
(Saturday 31st January 2009)
A Matt Harrold goal 10 minutes from time was enough to see Wanderers claim a 2-1 victory over Accrington Stanley at Adams Park on Saturday. On another chilly afternoon in High Wycombe, Wanderers had to come from behind after Paul Mullin had given the visitors the lead in the 16th minute when he looped a shot over Scott Shearer from the edge of the box. However, Wycombe fought their way back into the game and equalised in the 24th minute when a cross from the right from Chris Casement was turned into his own net by Stanley defender Colin Murdock. With Stanley seemingly settling for a draw, the winner came when a free kick from the right wing by Nathan Ashton was headed in at the far post by Harrold as he got he behind the defender. The three points keeps Wycombe lead at the top of the table at four points following wins also for Brentford (3-1 at Shrewsbury) and Bury (2-1 at Luton). Next game for Wycombe, at home to Barnet on Tuesday evening.
Wycombe: Shearer, Casement, Johnson, McCracken, Woodman, Phillips (sub 68 Ashton), Holt, Doherty, Zebroski, Harrold (sun 89 Mousinho), Balanta (sub 68 McGleish) - subs not used: Young, Oliver - Att: 6,166 (away section 80) |
 |
TAYLOR LIFTS PRESS BAN
(Saturday 31st January 2009)
Peter Taylor has lifted the press restrictions on the Bucks Free Press following their speculation over the fee paid for Mike Williamson. The Wycombe Manager responded via the official website where he was said to be 'surprised' they printed the story of the restrictions because he 'considered it to be a personal matter and not one that should have been made public.' Taylor said, "Deals like this happen all over the country and the fees are kept confidential to protect the interests of the football club, especially during the transfer window. I think it showed a lack of respect for our club when they decided to publish a figure anyway." However, he went on to say that he was now happy to continue talking to the paper, concluding, "I know that many fans rely on the paper and the club's official website as their main sources of information so having made my point it's time to forget this incident. I hope that the paper feels the same way." |
 |
SUPPORTERS TRUST NEWS
(Friday 30th January 2009)
The Supporters Trust Board have released a report on the Wycombe Wanderers Football Club PLC AGM held on Thursday 4th December 2008. The report includes details of the meeting itself including the Q&A session held at the end to discuss the purchase of London Wasps by Steve Hayes. Additionally
the report highlights the decision not to take questions at the meeting regarding
Wycombe Wanderers. See the Trust website for full report.
Meanwhile, Karen Adams, the Trust's President and granddaughter of the Club's benefactor Frank Adams, is to present the winner of the Trust's January prize draw with a signed Scott Shearer shirt at around 2.30pm before Saturday's match at Adams Park against Accrington Stanley.
|
 |
WILLO SELL-ON CLAUSE
(Friday 30th January 2009)
With the 'fall-out' with the Club tucked away on the inside back pages, the Bucks Free Press leads its sports coverage with claims that a 'hefty' sell-on clause has been agreed with Watford as part of the Mike Williamson transfer deal. Hayes is quoted, "Don't look at the fee now, look at what it might be in the future. We could have waited until the end of the season but we
could be turning down about £1m." Hayes points to the example of Roger Johnson at Cardiff where a 15% of any profit deal from the original £275,000 fee was struck. He also added "As a club we did our best to keep him. We started talking to him in September. But he is not interested in money. We could have offered him two or three times as much but he wants to get on and play football." |
|
CE NOT CONFIRMED
(Friday 30th January 2009)
Wanderers MD Steve Hayes has denied that former Watford Chief Executive Mark Ashton has agreed to take on the role at Adams Park, according to reports in the Bucks Free Press.
The report adds that Ashton and Hayes have had business dealings in the past. Loans.co.uk, the company Hayes cofounded, agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with Watford when Ashton was still at Vicarage Road. However, Hayes is quoted as saying, "I haven't agreed anything with Mark Ashton." |
|
TAYLOR SHUNS PRESS
(Friday 30th January 2009)
The Bucks Free Press has said that Peter Taylor has 'withdrawn his cooperation until further notice' after the paper speculated on the Mike Williamson transfer fee. He is said to disappointed that they wrote, "The fee is officially undisclosed but sources close to Watford believe it to be £150,000." Watford boss Brendan Rogers later
revealed that Williamson cost him 'just over £100,000.' Taylor declined to speak to the BFP reporter after the midweek draw at Macclesfield and has also denied access to any players. |
 |
OLIVER REJOINS WYCOMBE
(Thursday 29th January 2009)
Former Wanderers Youth Teamer Luke Oliver has rejoined the Club on a free transfer from Stevenage Borough. The 6' 7" defender left Wanderers in February 2004 on a free transfer to Woking after he was told by Lawrie Sanchez he had no future in First Team plans.  Luke Oliver - Profile
|
 |
TRANSFERS RUMOURS
(Thursday 29th January 2009)
Peter Taylor says he is hoping to add "at least a couple of players" to his squad before next Tuesday's home meeting with Barnet. The January transfer window officially closes at 5pm on Monday 1st February and the Wycombe boss has made it clear he is in the market for a striker. Earlier in the week Sky Sports linked Wanderers with a move for Dagenham and Redbridge forward Ben Strevens. The 28 year old began his football with Barnet, where he scored 45 goals in just over 200 appearances. After time at Crawley, he signed for The Daggers in December 2006 and helped them gain promotion to the Football League at the end of the 2006/7 campaign - bagging 6 goals in 19 apps. Last season he scored 20 times, while his season he has netted 11 times, including The Daggers consolation goal in their 2-1 defeat at Adams Park back in September. |
|
MACCLESFIELD 0 WYCOMBE 0
(Tuesday 27th January 2009)
Wanderers put a halt to their two game losing streak by drawing 0-0 at a rejuvenated Macclesfield Town on Tuesday evening. But the lead at the top of the table is now down to four points after nearest challengers Brentford and Bury both won. The Bees also have a game in hand, while Darlington, back in fourth place, are six points behind and also have a game in hand. The match with The Silkmen saw Peter Taylor make three changes to the side that lost at Bournemouth - Gary Holt, Matty Phillips and Scott McGleish coming into the starting line-up in place of Matt Bloomfield, Angelo Balanta and Lewwis Spence. In slippy conditions it was the home side who had the better chances with the pick being when Gareth Evans went close just after the hour mark as he lunged in at the far post from Emile Sinclair's cross. Wanderers best efforts came through Chris Zebroski who tested the home 'keeper in first half stoppage time and then again with around 15 minutes left on the clock. Next game for Wycombe at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday. Wycombe: Shearer, Casement, Johnson, McCracken, Woodman, Zebroski, Holt, Doherty, Phillips, McGleish (sub 63 Vieira), Harrold - subs not used: Young, Ashton, Balanta, Mousinho - Att: 1,306 (Away section 120 approx) |
|
NEW CE COMING SOON
(Tuesday 27th January 2009)
Wanderers are set to appoint Mark Ashton as their new Chief Executive according to a report in the Watford Observer. Ashton resigned from a similar role at Vicarage Road in December 2008 after Graham Simpson stepped down as the Hornets Chairman. The report highlights criticism of Ashton from the Watford Supporters Trust, who state, "...his reign has been littered with relationship breakdowns, repeatedly with the Watford Observer and frequently with former employees. The turnover of staff in senior positions was not indicative of a well-run organisation. There was also a lack of transparency in communication with the fans that has led to an atmosphere of mistrust." The report also includes scathing criticism from Watford Observer journalist Oliver Phillips. Meanwhile, Ashton commenting on his departure, said, "I believe we have made so many significant strides here at Watford during my time, much of which again goes to the hard work of those people I leave at the club." |
|
WILLO EXIT CONFIRMED
(Monday 26th January 2009)
The departure of Mike Williamson to Watford was officially confirmed just before noon on Monday. The Wanderers Official website confirmed the deal for an 'undisclosed fee'. Meanwhile, the Watford site added that Williamson had signed a deal until June 2012 after the paperwork was completed on Monday morning.
Williamson, who made his Wycombe debut back in August 2004, made 167 First Team appearances while at Adams Park, scoring on 12 occasions. Mike Williamson - Profile
|
|
WILLO OFF TO WATFORD
(Sunday 25th January 2009)
Mike Williamson looks set to join 'Championship' side Watford for a fee believed to be in the region of £150,000 after Manager Peter Taylor agreed for the defender to be released and attend a medical at Vicarage Road at the weekend. Taylor left the 25 year old out of the squad that travelled to Bournemouth on Saturday, explaining to the Bucks Free Press, "It is not good to lose a good player but I think it was right for it to happen. “I am disappointed to see him go but Mike would have been out of contract at the end of the season and he wanted to play in the Championship." The Club turned down two £100,000 bids from Colchester United earlier in the season but Taylor added, "There were clubs in League One that wanted him and that was easy to turn down, but he wants to play Championship football and I hope it goes well for him. When we had the certain offers from certain clubs it was easy for me to recommend no but when it got to a certain figure, and being Watford in the Championship, I recommended yes because I think it was important for the boy and for the changing room.” Mike Williamson - Profile
|
|
BOURNEMOUTH 3 WYCOMBE 1
(Saturday 24th January 2009)
Wanderers stumbled again in their quest for promotion after going down 3-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday. The defeat came despite being gifted a 9th minute lead when Cherries 'keeper David Button fumbled a back-pass and Matt Harrold ran the ball into an empty net. But Peter Taylor's side, missing Watford bound Mike Williamson, didn't take the initiative and conceded a 24th minute equaliser when Brett Pitman's free-kick curled past Scott Shearer and then eight minutes later a corner from the left was headed in at the far post by Jason Pearce. The disappointing result was compounded in the 64th minute when Jake Thomson looped in a goal from the right channel.
There was some consolation for Wanderers followers after the final whistle after hearing that nearest challengers Brentford had also lost (2-0 at Macclesfield) - meaning that Wycombe still have a six point lead at the top of the division. Next game, away to Macclesfield on Tuesday evening. Wycombe: Shearer, Casement, McCracken, Johnson, Woodman, Doherty (sub 69 Mousinho), Spence, Bloomfield (sub 52 Phillips), Harrold, Zebroski, Balanta (sub 52 McGleish) - subs not used Young, Antwi - Att: 5,946 (Away end 812) |
|
SHREWS HOME FOR LIVE TV
(Thursday 22nd January 2009)
Wanderers home 'League Two' fixture with Shrewsbury Town scheduled for Saturday 28th March will now be shown live on Sky and as a result has been switched to a 12.15pm kick-off. Wanderers already have a home live TV game in the forthcoming schedules when they entertain Rotherham United on Monday 23rd February. Wanderers are understood to benefit by around £30,000 in broadcast rights for each of the games. |
|
DUO EXTEND CONTRACTS
(Monday 19th January 2009)
Gary Holt and Craig Woodman have both agreed one year extension to their contracts with The Wanderers. Both players signed for The Wanderers under Paul Lambert in the summer of 2007 on two year deals and current Manager Peter Taylor has seen enough to extend those deals until June 2010. |
|
WYCOMBE 0 GRIMSBY 1
(Saturday 17th January 2009)
Wanderers lost at home in the League for the first time since February 2008 as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to 22nd placed Grimsby Town at Adams Park on Saturday. However, Wycombe are still six points clear at the top of the table after nearest challengers Brentford drew 1-1 at home to Notts County. The only goal of the game came in the 24th minute when a cross from the left by Jean-Louis Akpro was volleyed home from the far corner of the penalty area by Nathan Jarman , beating Scott Shearer at his near post. The match saw Peter Taylor give a debut to new loan signing Chris Casement, while TJ Moncur also got his first appearance in the Wycombe shirt after he replaced the injured Leon Johnson ten minutes before the half-time break. There was also a return for Scott McGleish who was appearing in the Wycombe colours for the first time since October 2008 following his loan spell with Northampton. McGleish, along with Matt Harrold was guilty of wasting Wycombe's best chances to equalise during the second period. However, a goal line clearance from Casement also prevented the Mariners from making the winning margin greater. Wanderers unbeaten home run in regular Football League matches had lasted 19 games. Wycombe: Shearer, Casement, Johnson (sub 35 Moncur), Williamson, Woodman, Bloomfield (sub HT Balanta), Holt (sub 83 Phillips), Doherty, Zebroski, Harrold, McGleish - subs not used: Young, Spence - Att: 4,461 (Away end 300 approx) |
 |
NEW STADIUM ON HOLD
(Friday 16th January 2009)
The Bucks Free Press 'exclusively revealed' on Friday that the feasibilty study into the building of a 'Community Stadium' at Booker Airfield for use by the Wanderers and London Wasps has been put on hold. The report quotes from a joint statement from the two clubs and the local Council saying, "Since this project was launched last summer, we have seen conditions in both the property and finance markets change dramatically. It will not be surprising therefore that the site appraisal exercise has been delayed whilst we get a clearer picture of the overall viability of the project." The report adds that the £250,000 feasibilty exercise has been delated but a further £500,000 has been set aside for ‘stadium planning costs’. COTN revealed in December 2008 that the Council had removed the feasibilty from their cabinet agenda although no further statement has been issued. |
|
INTERIM DIRECTOR APPOINTED
(Friday 16th January 2009)
Wycombe Wanderers Supporters' Trust have appointed Dave McGee as the Interim Director on the PLC Board following the recent resignation of Keith Blagbrough. McGee, the current Chairman of the Trust will take on the role until the election of a Supporters’ Director by the Trust members. Francis Glenister, the Trust’s Vice-Chairman, will take over as Chairman to ensure that McGee has a manageable workload. Details of the Trust's AGM and elections will be made available to members in due course. Read the full press release via the Supporters Trust website |
 |
RESERVES 2 IPSWICH TOWN 1
(Tuesday 13th January 2009)
Wanderers Reserves registered a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Marlow in their latest Combination fixture on Tuesday evening. Former Wanderers boss John Gorman was watching from the stands following his recent appointment as Assistant Manager at Portman Road.
He saw Wanderers take the lead on 19 minutes when Matt Richards tapped in after Will Antwi had knocked back a John Mousinho cross. Wanderers doubled their lead three minutes before the break when Scott Shulton broke from midfield and Spurs triallist Simon Dawkins finished off with a shot that deflected past the 'keeper. Town pulled a goal back on 72 minutes through 15 year old Connor Wickham but Wanderers held on for all three points. Next game for the Reserves is the trip to Didcot Town on Monday 2nd February in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. Reserves info 2008/9 Wycombe: Young, Rice, Duncan, Crooks, Antwi, Shulton, Richards, Mousinho, Vieira, (sub 85 Fitchett), Dawkins (sub 90 Lumsden), Ashton - subs not used: Reading, Read, Pearce |
 |
SPURS STRIKER ON TRIAL
(Tuesday 13th January 2009)
Peter Taylor is set to take a look at Spurs youngster Simon Dawkins in Tuesday evening's Reserve fixture against Ipswich Town at Marlow FC. The 21 year old striker is a former trainee at Spurs and made 14 appearances for the Spurs Reserve team during 2007/8 after missing much of the previous season with a hernia problem. He made his senior debut while on loan at Leyton Orient earlier in the season - going on to make 13 appearances (9 from the bench) but without finding the net. In November 2008 he was also given his Spurs First Team debut when he got a start against Dynamo Zagreb in a UEFA cup tie at White Hart Lane. |
 |
DAGENHAM GAME NEW DATE
(Tuesday 13th January 2009)
Wanderers' League Two game at Dagenham & Redbridge has been re-arranged for Tuesday 17th February 2009 with a 7.45pm kick-off. Dagenham & Redbridge - Quick Guide
|
 |
TEN YEARS AGO
(Monday 12th January 2009)
A look back at the COTN archives with memories of ten years ago this week when Manager Neil Smillie was sacked after ten months in charge at Adams Park. Smillie's departure led to the eventual appointment of Lawrie Sanchez and an amazing fight to retain 'Division Two' status.
Neil Smillie sacked - COTN archive January 1999
|
|
LEAGUE TWO ROUND-UP
(Saturday 10th January 2009)
Just three 'League Two' fixtures survived the sub-zero temperatures at the weekend and with second placed Brentford drawing 2-2 at ten-man Lincoln City on Saturday, Wanderers lead at the top of the table is now seven points, with The Bees now having just one game in hand. Elsewhere, Exeter City missed out on the chance to gain ground on the leading teams as they lost 2-1 at struglling Notts County. Bury beat Barnet 1-0 at Gigg Lane in the only game in 'League Two'. Next game for Wycombe is next Saturday (17th January) at home to Grimsby Town. |
|
DAGENHAM GAME OFF
(Friday 9th January 2009)
Wanderers' League Two game at Dagenham & Redbridge scheduled for Saturday has been called off due to a frozen playing surface. The decision was made after a pitch inspection was made by a Football League official at noon on Friday.
Dagenham & Redbridge - Quick Guide
|
|
PLC TO APPOINT CE
(Friday 9th January 2009)
The Wanderers PLC are set to appoint a Chief Executive to look after the day to day running of the Club. Steve Hayes currently acts in an unpaid Managing Director role and is understood to have instigated this latest change to the infrastructure of the Club. Andrew Pelley, a former work colleague of Hayes at loans.co.uk, was appointed by the PLC Board as a Non-Executive Director at the recent AGM and could be line to take the role following his previous experience working at both Wycombe and Watford. Meanwhile, COTN understands that the PLC have tentatively arranged a 'Shareholders Forum' (for both Investing and Founder Shareholders) to be held on Thursday 12th February. |
|
TRUST PLC DIRECTOR QUITS
(Thursday 8th January 2009)
Supporters' Trust Director Keith Blagbrough is set to resign from his position on the PLC board. The news, originally reported on the Bucks Free Press website, has since been confirmed on the Supporters Trust website. It's understood that Blagbrough informed his fellow Trust Board members at the weekend and will tender his resignation at a PLC Board meeting due for next Monday (12th January). Blagbrough has been the elected representative from the Supporters' Trust on the PLC Board since it was formed in the summer of 2004. Ian Mather is also on the PLC Board having been elected by the Founders Trust at the same time. The Trust's have now merged but there is still an entitlement to have two elected supporter representatives on the PLC Board. Blagbrough will continue to serve on the merged Trust Board as they seek to appoint and elect his replacement. |
|
IPSWICH DEFENDER ON LOAN
(Wednesday 7th January 2009)
Ipswich Town defender Chris Casement is set to join the Wanderers on an initial one month loan according to sources from the Suffolk club and reporting on Sky Sports. The Belfast born player, who will be 21 next week, has been on loan at Hamilton Academical since the start of the 2008/9 campaign but has made just two First Team appearances. The youngster originally made his First Team debut for Ipswich in March 2006 having been part of their FA Youth Cup winning side of 2005. He went on to make 8 First Team appearances for Town before a three month loan spell at Millwall but didn't feature for their First Team. He has also been capped at Youth level for Northern Ireland. Wanderers officially confirmed the one month deal on Thursday afternoon. |
|
COLU WILLO BID 2 REJECTED
(Tuesday 6th January 2009)
The public bidding banter for Mike Williamson between Wanderers and Colchester has continued this week with the official websites of both clubs being the catalyst. The U's reportedly had a bid for £100,000 turned down in November 2008 but upped the anti with an 'exclusive' story on their website claiming, "A six figure bid was made on Monday (5th January) morning, with U's boss Paul Lambert waiting to hear back from Wycombe as he looks to further strength his defence." Wanderers responded later in the day through their own official channel by saying the bid had been rejected and adding, "The offer was identical to a bid received in November from the U's, and as such was immediately refused." Williamson joined Wycombe on a free transfer from Southampton in the summer of 2005 with no sell-on clause. Mike Williamson - Profile
|
|
DAGENHAM TRAVEL NEWS
(Tuesday 6th January 2009)
Supporters planning to travel to Wanderers' game at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday (10th January) should note that 'Transport for London' are reporting that the District Line underground service between Barking and Upminster (calling at Dagenham East) is suspended at the weekend due to Engineering Works. A bus replacement service will operate from Barking but 'journey times may be increased by up to 30 minutes' according to TFL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GAME HAS SINCE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO FROZEN PITCH.
Dagenham & Redbridge - Quick Guide
|
|
LEWIS CHRISTON DEPARTS
(Monday 5th January 2009)
Former Wanderers Youth Teamer Lewis Christon has left the club by 'mutual consent' after failing to hold down a First Team spot under intense competition for places. Christon, who will be 20 on 24th January 2009, has been with the Club since he was 11. He made his League debut in February 2007 but was loaned to Woking, AFC Wimbledon and most recently Oxford City in a quest to gain experience. Lewis Christon - player profile
|
|
BILL TURNBULL TRUST V.P.
(Monday 5th January 2009)
'Wycombe Wanderers Trust' have confirmed that BBC news man Bill Turnbull has accepted the position as their honorary Vice-President, joining recent additions Karen Adams and Keith Ryan. Commenting on the announcement, he said, "I’m honoured to become Vice-President of the Wycombe Wanderers Trust. I joined originally because, like many others, I wanted to do more to support the Chairboys than just turn up on match days. Being a member gives you a voice in helping to determine the future of WWFC, and the path it should take in what are increasingly challenging times for many clubs.". Turnbull, best known for his anchor role on BBC breakfast news but also his impassioned commentary on home games for the club's Wanderers World service, is urging supporters to join the Trust which costs up to £10 per year. Read more at the Trust website
|
|
PLAYER NEWS
(Monday 5th January 2009)
News released by the Club on Sunday confirmed that Leon Johnson had signed a new deal with the Wanderers running until 30th June 2010. The central defender was originally signed by Wycombe in the summer of 2007 on a free transfer from Gillingham. Meanwhile, Scott McGleish has returned to the Club following the end of his loan spell with Northampton Town. The Bucks Free Press reported that the out of favour striker had 'buried the hatchet' with Manager Peter Taylor and could be given another chance at Adams Park. |
|
WYCOMBE 2 BURY 1
(Saturday 3rd January 2009)
Wanderers gained a crucial three points after beating Bury 2-1 at a sub-zero Adams Park on Saturday. Nearest challengers Brentford were without a game due to the FA Cup and are now eight point behind Wycombe but with two games in hand. With Captain David McCracken absent due to injury and Tommy Doherty out through suspension, Wanderers took the lead in the 37th minute when a ball was squared from the left by Lewwis Spence for Matt Harrold to slot home. Wycombe contined to have the upper hand and eventually doubled the lead in the 63rd minute when Harrold shot his shot on the turn from the right channel spilled by The Shakers 'keeper and Angelo Balanta follow up to nip the ball over the 'keeper and into the back of the Valley End net. The Visitors were given some hope in the 90th minute when Mike Williamson deflected a cross from the right into his own net but Wycombe held out for the three minutes of added time to consolidate their position among the promotion places. Wycombe: Shearer, Williamson, Crooks, Johnson, Woodman, Bloomfield, Holt, Spence, Phillips (sub 72 Mousinho), Harrold, Balanta (sub 83 Vieira) - subs not used: Antwi, Young, Ashton - Att: 4,961 (Away end 397) |
|
NEW SIGNING
(Friday 2nd January 2009)
Wanderers confirmed the signing of 21 year old Fulham defender 'TJ' Moncur on Friday. A former youngster with Arsenal, he moved to the Fulham Academy aged 16 and signed a pro contract at the age of 19 in February 2007. However, after failing to break into the Fulham First Team he was loaned to Bradford City in January 2008 - making his Football League debut later that month. He returned to Fulham towards the end of the 2007/8 season but returned again at the start of the 2008/9 campaign for deal running until 3rd January 2009 and with City having the option to extend to a permanent deal. However, after 14 appearances for The Bantams they turned down this option, allowing Peter Taylor the opportunity to step in and sign the player on a free transfer and deal running until 30th June 2010. |
|
MK LOANEE RETURNED
(Friday 2nd January 2009)
On loan MK Dons midfielder Craig Dobson has returned to his club after failing to make the First Team during his month spell at Adams Park. Dobson, who will be 25 on 23 January 2009, made a couple of Reserve Team appearances for the Wanderers with Peter Taylor commenting to the Bucks Free Press, "I had a good look at him and he knows what I think of him but I think in the end with the form Matty Phillips has been in that I don't need another one in that area."
He has since had his contract terminated by 'mutual consent' at MK Dons as he looks to find another club during the transfer window. |
Previous month |||
Latest news from chairboys.co.uk
|
| Search
Chairboys on the Net |
|
|
|
LATEST NEWS
All there is to say and know about Wycombe Wanderers on the Internet