Wycombe Wanderers - Summer 1998 News

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Summer 1998 News Archive

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 1st AUGUST
VINNICOMBE TO SIGN NEXT WEEK
Chris Vinnicombe should sign for Wycombe next week after passing his medical. Left back Vinnicombe impressed in his only appearance to date - against Crystal Palace. He missed the midweek game with Aston Villa due to a virus but hopes to be available for selection for Wycombe's first League game at home to Luton Town on Saturday 8th August.
"It just wasn't clicking." was one of Neil Smillie's explanations on the sudden departure of Assistant Manager Wayne Turner. Apparently Turner wanted more involvement in coaching and First Team affairs. Turner told the local press "I think Neil must get someone to help him.. it's impossible to do it on your own" The way is now set clear for Terry Evans to step in for a go at the assistant's role although Smillie may look to former colleague Gary Micklewhite to help him again.
Neil Smillie has made his choice of reserve 'keeper with the signing of 23 year old Mark Westhead. Westhead has played in a couple of friendlies and did enough to show his merit between the sticks. Smillie also wants a second look at Canadiam midfielder Mark Rogers. He looked very comfortable in the friendly at Chesham but is also due trials at Portsmouth and St.Johnstone.
The First Team get their final work-out before the real season starts with a friendly at home to Charlton Athletic on Saturday 1st August - kick-off 3.00pm Adams Park.

TURNER DEPARTS
News has just arrived that Wayne Turner has parted company with Wycombe after just four months. Turner, who was a team-mate with Neil Smillie at Brentford and was also First Team coach at Luton Town, could well be the victim of Wycombe's tight budget plans this season. Smillie has recently appointed Gary Goodchild as Youth Team Coach and Terry Evans as Youth Team physio.
MACCA AND BROWNIE BACK
Paul McCarthy has returned to action for the first time under Neil Smillie. Macca played the first half against Chesham on Saturday and looked confortable at the back alongside Nicky Mohan. McCarthy's last game in a Wycombe shirt was back in February at Bristol Rovers - the night that John Gregory said goodbye Wycombe and hello Villa. Steve Brown also played his first game of the season in the 6-2 victory at The Meadow having been laided off with a knee injury.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 25th JULY
VINNICOMBE CLOSE TO SIGNING
Neil Smillie is close to signing ex-Glasgow Rangers and Burnley left back Chris Vinnicombe. A two-year deal has been agreed and Wycombe will now await the outcome of a medical to be carried out early next week. Vinnicombe impressed in his first game at home to Crystal Palace and also played in the disappointing 2-0 defeat at Kingstonian.
Michael Forsyth was due to go in for a scan on his knee on Friday after he had a bad reaction during training. He injured the knee against Wrexham last March and has yet to return to action.
Wycombe's Youth Team lost 2-0 to an England Under 18's team in a 'behind closed doors' friendly at Bisham Abbey during their pre-season build-up. Last week, however, they came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Cirencester - Ian Simpenba claiming a hat-trick for the Wanderers.

RESOLUTION REJECTED
The result of the poll carried out on Wednesday 15th July has gone against the Club. 232 members out of 432 voted with 144 voting in favour of the resolution, 87 against and 1 spoilt paper - giving a 62.34% majority - well short of the 75% required to carry through the special resolution. Members will now be waiting with interest for any feedback from the Club prior to this year's Annual General Meeting scheduled for October. More background on this story by following this link

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 18th JULY
FRIENDLIES UNDERWAY
Wycombe's first friendly ended in defeat to Crystal Palace as Neil Smillie gave most of his squad a run out. The only new face to date has been that of former Glasgow Rangers and Burnley defender Chris Vinnicombe. Smillie hopes to make the move permanent after the left back refused to sign a one extension to his contract at Burnley. He'll be available on a free but Wycombe will be in competition with other clubs for his signature. 27 year old Vinnicombe was born in Exeter and could opt to return to home town club. He joined Rangers from Exeter during the 1989/90 season but made just a handful of appearances in five seasons before returning south of the border to Burnley.
Wycombe continue their friendly assignments with visits to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday (18th July) and Kingstonian on Tuesday (21st July).

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 11th JULY
BIG TEL IS BACK
Terry Evans has made a surprise move back to Adams Park as the new Youth Team physio. Evans left Wycombe at the end of the 1996/97 season after his contract wasn't renewed by Manager John Gregory. He has been playing at Isthmian Premier side Kingstonian and led the Surrey side to the Championship and promotion to the Conference for the forthcoming season. 'Big Tel' was a massive favourite with the fans at Adams Park during his four year spell where he made over 150 appearances and scored 19 goals.
Paul McCarthy and Steve Brown are both likely to miss the opening pre-season with Crystal Palace on Wednesday. McCarthy is still having problems from a hernia operation that he underwent last March while Brown still has a problem with his ankle.
CORAZZIN SAYS NO AND STILL NO 2nd 'KEEPER
Neil Smillie has failed in his attempt to sign Canadian international Carlo Corazzin from relegated Plymouth Argyle. Corazzin, who scored three times in the two meetings between Wycombe and Argyle last season, was available on a free transfer but has chosen to join Northampton Town. According to the local press, Smillie had been chasing the striker since near the end of last season but couldn't meet his wage demands. The search for a second choice 'keeper also continues after Slough Town's Paul Wilkerson turned down a move to Adams Park despite the clubs agreeing on a Ł15,000 fee. Former Spurs 'keeper Tony Parks has opted for Burnley instead of the Blues while Brentford's reserve sticks man Tamer Fernades prefers his chances at Colchester.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 4th JULY
LEAGUE CUP DRAW
Wycombe have been drawn against Swindon Town in the First Round of next season's Football League Cup - now renamed (yet again) due to a new sponsor Bass, to The Worthington Cup. The first leg will take place the week commencing 10th August with the second leg the following week. Wycombe went out to Fulham at the same stage last season but progressed to the second round in season's 1996/97 (losing to Nottingham Forest) and 1995/96 (losing to Man City).
Entry prices for the home pre-season friendlies are as follows

                 All Seats         Family Stand Seats 
          (except Family Stand)    & Valley Terrace
           On Day  In Advance    On Day      In Advance
Adults       Ł10        Ł9         Ł8            Ł7
Seniors       Ł8        Ł7         Ł6            Ł5
Juniors       Ł6        Ł5         Ł4            Ł3

VOTE IN THE BALANCE
The outcome of the poll to adopt the resolution proposed by the Board of Directors at the recent EGM is in the balance after members were given notice of the arrangements. Voting will take place between the hours of 10.00am and 8.00pm on Wednesday 15th July (the same day as the first pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace). Writing in the accompaying letter, Chairman Ivor Beeks said "Whilst naturally my Colleagues on the Board and I hope that you will vote in favour of the Resolution, the really important thing is that there should be a jolly good turn out so that the outcome of the vote can clearly be seen to be representative of the Membership as a whole." Beeks went on to comment on a series of "undertakings" that would follow at the AGM should the resolution be adopted. However, writing in the Bucks Free Press, James Goldblatt, a director of London based legal experts Hermes Corporate Information, has advised members to "reject the proposals in their present form and to consider revised proposals at the AGM". More background on this story by following this link

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 27th JUNE
MORE FRIENDLIES
Wycombe have slotted in some additional friendlies away to non-League opposition. Wycombe will travel to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 18th July followed by a midweek visit to play Terry Evans and Co at Kingstonian. The annual game at Chesham United is due on Saturday 25th July while on Monday 3rd August it's a trip to Yeading.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 20th JUNE
SMILLIE GETS HIS MAN
Gary Goodchild has been confirmed as the new Youth Team Manager at Adams Park. Goodchild has spent the last ten years working in Norway but played briefly in the same team as Smillie at Crystal Palace during the 1980/81 season.
Steve Brown is due to go to the FA's rehabiltation at Lilleshall for treatment following a recent operation to correct a long-term ankle problem. Brown has recently signed a new contract that will tie him to Adams Park for a further two years.
Season Tickets are now on general sale, including all unclaimed seats in the Woodlands and Main Stand. Season Tickets brought by 3rd July will be discounted between Ł30 and Ł20. Full price list and more info available from the Ticket Office.
DIRECTORS LOSE VOTE
Over 200 members of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club Limited turned out for the much discussed EGM at Adams Park on Wednesday evening and quizzed the Directors on their reasons for proposing changes to the Articles of Association. After more than 2 hours of questions and replys, a show of hands saw 140 vote in favour, 16 short of the necessary 75% majority to carry through the proposals on the night. However, as a request for a poll had been made prior to the show of hands, after the vote the Directors announced that they intend to carry out a poll of members between the hours of 10.00am and 8.00pm on Wednesday 15th July (the same day as the first pre-season friendly). This unusual move will attempt to pass the same proposals without any ammendents. For more background on this story follow this link

FIXTURES AVAILABLE NOW
Wycombe's Division Two fixtures for 1998/99 are now available. Wycombe's opening League fixture will be at home to Luton Town on Saturday 8th August followed a week later by the trip to Millwall. Former giants Man City will visit Adams Park on Tuesday 10th November with the return at Maine Road taking place at the tail end of the season on Saturday 24th April.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 13th JUNE
PALACE CONFIRMED
Wycombe have confirmed that a pre-season friendly with Crystal Palace will go ahead on Wednesday 15th July at Adams Park. The game is due to be Terry Venables first game in charge of the Selhurst Park club.
Bluey the Swan could be axed next season as, unlike a real swan, Bluey doesn't like the wet. Club officials have suggested a more practical mascot may be one based on goalscoring legend Tony 'Bodger' Horseman. Chairboys on the Net prefers the suggestion from the Electric Chairboys website of Charlie the Chair.
Finally this week, the recently announced EGM has hit the local sports headlines following a group of Wycombe supporters taking legal advice on the proposed changes and other members also raising concerns via the local press. Chairboys on the Net understands that a meeting has been arranged with Chairman Ivor Beeks for Saturday 13th June that will include members who have connection with both the Official and Independent Supporters Clubs. More background and news from this story can be found via this link.

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