HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF
WYCOMBE WANDERERS F.C. LTD

HISTORY

Wycombe Wanderers Football Club was converted into a Limited Company on the 16th April 1980 and fully activated on the 21st May 1986 when the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Limited Company was held. Those present were the first Members of the Club. The Company is limited by Guarantee and thus, in Football circles is almost unique - until recently, only Nottingham Forest in the Football League had a similar set-up. The main reason for setting up the company was to procure the transfer of Loakes Park (Wycombe's home at the time) from the trustees, headed by Club Patron Frank Adams, to the newly formed company. Having acquired Loakes Park, the company sold the site in 1988 and subsequently moved to Adams Park in 1990.

MEMBERSHIP - DO I QUALIFY?

Up until recently Membership was described as being a Shareholder. This was wrong. Wycombe Wanderers is not limited by a share capital and therefore has no shares. The Club has Members. The Chairman is a Member, the Directors are Members and the Supporters can be Members. To qualify for membership you need to be a current season ticket holder who has held a season ticket for at least three consecutive seasons. Many people already qualify under these terms but have failed to apply. Maybe they didn't know you could, didn't know how to or simply didn't find the time. At the time of the formation of the Company in 1986 there were approx 140 members when the average gate was less than 800. Prior to the 1996 AGM, there was still only about 170 shareholders, yet gates averaged about 4,000. Following publicity from the Club and other sources including Chairboys on the Net, the total membership is now close to 500 (the current maximum)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost is just £1. Its value does not change, you can't sell it and your liability is limited to a maximum of £10 if the Club is unfortunate enough to go bankrupt. You literally have very little to lose. You will lose your membership, however, if you cease to be season ticket holder for any reason.

WHY DO I WANT TO BE A MEMBER?

The main benefit of being a Member of WWFC is being invited to attend the AGM (normally held in October). At three weeks prior to the AGM you will also receive a copy of the annual report and accounts for the previous season.
Any major decisions that require shareholder approval will also require your vote. At the 1995 AGM the Board of Directors proposed to half the maximum number of Members from 500 to just 250. Thanks to the efforts of existing Members any potential new Members were protected when the motion was overturned. Since that AGM over 200 new Members have been granted their say in the Club. The Club also held an EGM in 1998 with a view to changing the qualification criteria. See the Chairboys on the Net Special Report for more details. Don't miss your chance, more Members - particularly regular supporters, would give a more balanced view to reflect our current level of support and status.

WHAT DO I DO IF I'M INTERESTED?

After the close of the 1996/97 season the Club was not excepting new membership applications because of uncertainty over the share/membership issue. In September 1998 membership applications were opened again. There aren't many places left so if want to be a member act now.
If you qualify you simply have to write to, The Club Secretary, Wycombe Wanderers FC, Adams Park, Hillbottom Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4HJ or FAX to 01494-527633. Just state that you have been a season ticket holder for three seasons and require a membership application form. If you have any difficulties take a look at our sample letter or drop us an e-mail at cotn@chairboys.co.uk