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August 1999 News Archive

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 28th August 1999 FA CUP COMES TO ADAMS PARK After four years together, AXA Assurance and Wycombe Wanderers are preparing for their most exciting initiative yet when AXA bring the FA Cup to Adams Park on Saturday 23rd October 1999 for the home game against Blackpool. Supporters will have the opportunity to view the trophy or to watch the game from a Hospitality Box, have your photograph taken with the Cup or win a box at a future Wycombe Wanderers match. As very successful official business introducers to AXA Assurance, the Club are giving fans the opportunity to see the “real thing” at the ground, something which will, in particular, provide happy memories for Manager Lawrie Sanchez. AXA Assurance personnel will be available at all forthcoming home games, as usual, for you to enter their draw. For further information on how to win these prizes you can also call 01923 218280. BATTLE OF THE WANDERERS Wycombe caused a cup sensation when they humiliated Wolves at Molineux in the Second Leg of the First Round of the Worthington Cup. Two stunning strikes from Jermaine McSporran, plus an own goal from Kevin Muscat after Sean Devine's shot was blocked and a late goal from Keith Ryan had Wycombe leading 3-0 and 4-1 before Wolves scored a late consolation to make the final aggregate score 4-3 to Wycombe. Special Report via this link>>>. QUID-A-KID versus WREXHAM Wycombe kicked off their 'quid-a-kid' campaign this season to coincide with the school holidays. All children under 16 paid £1 for a seat in the Family Enclosure or a place on the Valley End Terrace for the home game with Wrexham on Tuesday 31st August - kick-off 7.45pm. Wycombe moved the fixture to the Tuesday from the Bank Holiday Monday at the request of Manager Lawrie Sanchez who wants to give the players more rest. Last season's game on the equivalent date attracted a gate of 4,318 for the clash with Bristol Rovers that saw Wycombe scrape a draw thanks to Dannie Bulman's backside. This season's encounter with Wrexham saw more than a thousand extra people through the gate. CROSSLEY TESTIMONIAL The testimonial game for Matt Crossley that was hoped to be arranged for the first week in September has been put on hold for the time being. Suitable opponents are still being sought for a game that will most likely take place at Adams Park. More news when we have it.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 21st August 1999  LEAGUE LEADERS IN TOWN Early pace-setters Preston North End were in town as Wycombe continued to build on the excellent 1-0 victory at Scunthorpe last Saturday with a 1-1 draw against the northerners. Big spending Preston got the chance to come up against the 'one that got away' as Wycombe's Sean Devine did battle with the Lancashire side. Devine came within a whisker of joining North End at the beginning of last season in a £600,000 deal that fell through at the last minute. Devine was banished to Barnet reserves soon after but was saved from oblivion when Wycombe sneaked in - the rest is history as they say. Wycombe had Andy Baird on the bench after missing the opening games of the season through injury while Chris Vinnicombe was absent after picking up a knee injury in training two days before the trip to Scunthorpe. Vinnicombe will resume training next week and could be available for the trip to Gillingham on Saturday 28th August. RESERVES SEASON DELAYED The Wycombe Wanderers Reserve Team had the start of their season in the Avon Insurance Combination delayed after Wednesday evening's scheduled trip to Southend United was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Roots Hall. Mo Harkin, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday was hoping to impress the onlookers with a hope of gaining a First Team spot on Saturday against Preston, while Andy Baird was looking to return after his injury scare. The Wycombe Youth Team drew 2-2 at Barnet on Saturday morning (21st August) with Paul Johnson and Eddie Gray getting the goals for the Wanderers. Full fixtures for the Youth and Reserve team available via this link.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 14th August 1999 RESERVES LOSE AT AYLESBURY (Wed 11th August 1999) The re-arranged friendly against Aylesbury United ended with a 2-1 defeat for a Wycombe reserve line-up at Buckingham Road on Wednesday evening. After falling behind to a 37th minute goal through Beevor, Wycombe equalised within a minute when Danny Senda rounded veteran 'keeper Gary Phillips after Guy Ipoua had set him up. Wycombe dominated the second-half but without success in front of goal. The home side snatched victory in the final minute when Crawshaw was hauled back by Mick Leach in the box and Ian King stepped up to dispatch the penalty past Mark Osborn in the Wycombe goal. Osborn had come on at half-time after Mark Westhead had been taken to Stoke Mandeville hospital with concussion following a nasty collision with Mark Rogers. Westhead was released later that evening suffering from severe bruising. 23 year old triallist Guy Ipoua was the outstanding player for Wycombe. The Cameroon born striker joined Bristol Rovers at the start of last season having previously gained experience at Athletico Madrid, Eciga and Novelda. He made over 20 appearances for Rovers last season - scoring on two occasions. Wycombe may be keen to take a second look on this performance. WYCOMBE TEAM: Westhead (sub HT Osborn), Wraight, Townsend, Leach, Rogers, Gray, Harkin, Bulman, Lee, Senda (sub 61 Thompson), Ipoua Att:450 approx THE BATTLE OF THE WANDERERS - PART 1 The first ever senior meeting between Wycombe and Wolves ended with a 1-0 victory for the team from Molineux in the First Round of the Worthington Cup. Full Match report available via Chairboys on the Net. The second leg takes place on Tuesday 24th August at Molineux and this game is all-ticket for Wycombe fans. Wycombe have been allocated 1,500 seats priced at £13 adults and £9.50 concessions. Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets. YOUTH TEAM START SEASON The Wycombe Wanderers Youth Team got their season in the newly formed Football League Youth Alliance underway on Saturday with a goalless draw against Southend United. Full fixtures for the Youth and Reserve team available via this link.

NEWS FROM WEEK ENDING 7th August 1999 SEASON UNDERWAY With all the major pre-season friendlies completed the new season got underway on Saturday with the visit of Burnley to Adams Park. After struggling to avoid relegation for the past three seasons, Manager Lawrie Sanchez hopes that Wycombe can consolidate their position in Division Two. Speaking at the recent Open Evening at Adams Park he said that the target was to get 51 points as soon as possible and build from there. The general feeling at the Open Evening was one of high optimism, especially amongst the players. Sanchez, however, was being more conservative and stressed that finances was his major headache. Record Season Ticket sales may help Sanchez's problems but Wycombe entered the week leading up to their opening game at home to Burnley without any summer signings. Sanchez is giving the thumbs up to his present squad while making it clear that a big centre-forward is still his major requirement. Goal hero Paul Emblen has been converted to a 'roaming' role up front while the return to fitness of youngster Mo Harkin means that there will extra competition for places in a squad that lacks a real strength in depth. Harkin's form has been the highlight of an otherwise lack-lustre selection of pre-season friendlies while the meningitis scare also didn't help the preparation plans to what could be a season of change for Wycombe. It's no secret that the Club are looking to change the constitution to one that could possibly allow more financial input from willing parties. Chairman Ivor Beeks must have been devastated that last year's vote saw this matter turned down but one can only hope that the Club will learn from what was a communication disaster. There's no doubt though that all Wycombe fans are looking forward to the new season in the hope that they won't have to go through the torment of the fear of relegation. If Wycombe can get a good start then anything will be possible but home games against big spending Burnley and Preston will be the ultimate test for Sanchez's team. Should be a fascinating season. BEETS BACK TRAINING(Thursday 5th August 1999) Alan Beeton returned to the training ground on Thursday (5th August) after making a speedy recovery from his viral meningitis scare. Speaking on 1170am Beeton said "It was an ordeal but I feel quite fit." Beeton spent a few days in hospital and send it was "quite frightening to be honest with you. I didn't know if I was going to come out". He went on to say "I can't wait to Saturday and watch the lads hammer Burnley and hopefully if things can get better and we can keep winning every week and get involved" WYCOMBE DUCK OUT OF FRIENDLY The last ditch cancellation of the the 'reserve' friendly due to take place at Aylesbury on Wednesday 4th August has caused bad publicity for Wycombe via Aylesbury local paper The Bucks Herald. Lawrie Sanchez cancelled the fixture late on Monday (2nd August) afternoon claiming that due to injuries Wycombe didn't want to send a weakened side to Buckingham Road. It seemed that Aylesbury had been building this match up beyond all expectations while at Wycombe the game had been billed as a 'reserve' fixture right from day one. The Bucks Herald described the game as a "prestigious friendly...against the Nationwide Division Two giants". After hearing about Aylesbury's disappointment Wycombe have offered for the game to played next Wednesday (11th August) but this is in doubt as Wycombe play Wolves the night before in the Worthington Cup. Aylesbury were going to use the friendly as a launch pad for their new kit, signings and sponsors. 'The Ducks' league campaign starts on Saturday 14th August at home to Walton and Hersham. NEW LOOK CHAIRBOYS As the start of the new Football League season starts Chairboys on the Net has launched a new home page interface along with a special page to celebrate the sponsorship of Matt Lawrence by 'Friends of Chairboys on the Net'. The update also include a couple a special on this day feature and further special features will be added as the season unfolds. With an average of close to 10,000 visitors a month last season, Chairboys on the Net aims to continue to bring you all the essential news and gossip relating to Wycombe Wanderers. The Chairboys webmaster Paul Lewis said "We always try and keep the site up to date not only from a news point of view but also from technical point of view. The planned changes aren't too drastic but will mean the site will be even easier to navigate, especially as so many people using the net are relative newcomers." Life long Wycombe fan Lewis added "The Lincoln result was the highlight of the three and half years since starting Chairboys on the Net - losing would have been unthinkable. Everyone is enthusiastic again after staying up and with the Matt Lawrence sponsorship deal in place, hopefully Chairboys can go from strength to strength."

JULY 1999 NEWS Comanche signed, Dublin Disaster, Health Scare for Beeton, Lawrie Banned for six games...more>>>>

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