ALL THERE IS TO SAY AND KNOW
ABOUT WYCOMBE WANDERERS ON THE INTERNET....
Alan Smith
Wycombe Wanderers Manager
June 1995 to 30 September 1996
The Trail of Gloom
Alan Smith's reign at Wycombe Wanderers was not a happy one - littered with controversy and dispute with
players, the decision to release him and his assistant David Kemp came as little surprise to most people connected with the Club.
Smith joined Wycombe in a wave of enthusiasm following the shock resignation of Martin O'Neill in June 1995.
He was the fans choice but soon began to lose friends as he let popular players go and results weren't forthcoming. The list of
events make sorry reading but further emphasise the effect he had on the club and its supporters.
AUGUST 1995 Mark Foran signed on loan from Sheffield United sent-off at Notts County as fans favourite, Terry
Howard sits on the bench.
AUGUST 1995 4 other players sent-off in the opening games as Wycombe's disciplinary record takes a bashing.
OCTOBER 1995 Influential midfielder Steve Thompson sold to non-League Woking and 'Super' Simon Garner is loaned to Torquay.
NOVEMBER 1995 Players humilated in a 5-0 defeat at Walsall as Smith insists that the half-time team talk should
take place on the pitch!
NOVEMBER 1995 A pitiful 1-0 defeat to Gillingham in an FA Cup replay costs Wycombe the chance of a money spinning
cup run.
NOVEMBER 1995 'Keeper Paul Hyde dropped from the First Team and eventually thrown out of the Club and onto the
Football League scrapheap. Smith loans 'keepers for the remainder of the season but none match Hyde's
goal stopping record.
JANUARY 1996 The travelling fans start losing patience as Wycombe lose 1-0 at Brentford following another dreadful performance.
MARCH 1996 The home crowd record their displeasure by booing the Manager and players after they lose to relegation bound Brighton 2-0 at Adams Park.
APRIL 1996 Crowds reach an all-time low for Wycombe in the Football League as less than 3,000 attend the game against Rotherham.
MAY 1996 Forward Steve McGavin transfer listed as the season ends with defeat against Bristol Rovers.
MAY 1996 Kit changed to an absymal combination of stripes, light blue and red - fans say we're
not Crystal Palace but Smith wants us to look like them.
JUNE 1996 Simon Garner and Terry Howard off loaded to Woking on free transfers.
AUGUST 1996 Wycombe have to pay Brighton £100,000 for defender Paul McCarthy as a replacement for
Howard and therefore leaving the transfer funds empty.
SEPTEMBER 1996 Club announce record losses of £300,000 during Smith's first season in charge mainly
due to the constantly falling crowds and lack of faith from the Wycombe public.
SEPTEMBER 1996 Worst start to a season in 89 years is capped with a 6-3 defeat at Peterborough after
leading 3-1. It is Smith and Kemp's last game in charge as the Board Of Directors terminate their contracts the
following Monday.