Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth

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THE CHAIRBOYS The Wanderers welcome back former players every week to Adams Park. John D Taylor keeps us up-to-date with all Wycombe Ex-Players Association news. Pompey memory rings Bayo bell It was five years ago when Wycombe beat Portsmouth to start to a memorable FA Cup run only ended in the fourth round after a thriller at Tottenham. Just five members of that Wanderers side which won 2-1 at Fratton Park are still at Adams Park today – Joe Jacobson, Dom Gape, Anthony Stewart and Adebayo Akinfenwa plus player-coach Matt Bloomfield. Paris Cowan-Hall gave us the lead midway through the first half. Gareth Evans equalised for Pompey early in the second half, before Bayo scored with a looping header with six minutes left to seal victory. The Blues’ line-up that day was: Blackman; Harriman, Stewart, Pierre, Jacobson; Gape, O’Nien, Bloomfield; Cowan-Hall (Weston), Hayes (Gary Thompson), Akinfenwa (Bean). Dennis Edwards links both sides Those with longer memories will remember another link between Wycombe and Portsmouth through big striker Dennis Edwards who played for both sides. One of our few England amateur internationals, he made an incredible impression during just two seasons at Loakes Park, scoring 31 goals in only 28 appearances between 1957-59 as Sid Cann’s side finished second then third in the Isthmian League. He scored 12 times in the opening seven games of the 1958-59 season, including four in the 8-1 thrashing of Corinthian Casuals. This led to his England call-up and he won two caps before turning professional with Charlton Athletic. In six seasons with them he made 171 appearances, scoring 61 times. Those goals encouraged Pompey manager George Smith to splash a record £15,000 in January 1965 and Edwards made his debut in front of a massive crowd away at Southampton. Another milestone was the final match of that season when a 1-1 draw in club legend Jimmy Dickinson’s last game saved the club from relegation. Although he scored ten times in 35 games the following season, Dennis admitted injuries took their toll. Despite scoring in two memorable FA Cup ties against Hull City – 33,107 witnessing a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park - he moved on loan to Brentford before winding up his career at Aldershot. After retiring, he set up a frozen food business and continued to live near Portsmouth. He was a keen golfer and a member of Waterlooville club for over 45 years before his death in September 2019 aged 82. WWEPA ‘crocks’ on the mend Although former skipper Glyn Creaser is still recovering at home following his shocking cardiac arrest last month, and Len Worley is following suit after the unpleasant surprise of his heart attack, it was good to see other recent ‘crocks’ Peter Suddaby and Keith Samuels at this week’s latest WWEPA Committee meeting. Former player and manager Suddaby has been out of action since suffering a stroke nearly two years ago but happily is a bit more mobile thanks to a newly adapted car. Sammy meanwhile is car-less after writing off his Range Rover following a losing argument with a traffic bollard. Obviously, his mind was on Wycombe’s 4-1 home defeat to Ipswich as he left Adams Park. That and misted-up windows 12 | www.WYCOMBEWANDERERS.co.uk | | WWFCOFFICIAL
THE CHAIRBOYs meant he collided with the raised kerb at the bottom of Hillbottom Road. Although it was a low speed incident, Keith was badly shaken. Blood from his mouth led to the belief he was suffering from internal bleeding but it turned out to be a cut tongue. He also suffered badly bruised ribs and - as WWEPA colleague Glyn Creaser can testify - that can be extremely painful. Taken by ambulance to hospital, he had a series of tests including an ECG but was cleared to be taken home by son Kevin at 6am. Shaken but not stirred, he fared better than his car. Our 79-year-old WWEPA committee member thanks everyone who has called and left messages and hopes to be back on the golf course and in his normal seat at Adams Park shortly. Sammy, as he’s affectionately known, was a regular for the Blues between 1963-70 and is 15th on the club’s all-time scoring charts with 115 goals in 247 appearances. A founder member of the Ex- Players Association, he’s a regular – and vocal – attendee at all the Wanderers games. PS: A teetotaller, Keith took the mandatory breath test and passed with flying colours!!! Sounds of The Blues Ex-players continue to line up for appearances on the Wycombe Sounds Thursday night show - the whole hour from 7pm devoted entirely to the Wanderers past and present. Tim Langford, one of Martin O’Neill’s heroes between 1992-95, was this week’s guest. Teammates Steve Thompson, Mickey Nuttell and Paul Hyde were recent interviewees. Others this season included Sean Devine and Dave McCracken from the 2000s with Colin Bunting, Mike Brown and Les Merrick representing the 60s. We’ve also had a slightly different view of times at the club from former groundsman Rod Lavers and ex-Bucks Free Press Blues’ reporter Stuart Earp. Some good listening there. This show includes regular interviews with ex-players from the 1950s right through to today’s stars. You can catch this on 106.6FM or via the website https:// wycombesound.org.uk/ You can also reprise any of the previous WWEPA interviews in full via https://podlink.to/TWWS. Sad farewells Two sad losses for WWEPA over recent weeks. The thoughts of all connected with the club are with former Reserve team manager Tim Anning and family after the death of wife Debbie. Aged 66, she had been battling cancer for the past two years but died peacefully at their Chinnor home. The funeral took place yesterday. Arrangements still to be confirmed after the death of Billy Gallacher at the age of 76. Earlier in the year he had returned home after spending six weeks in hospital with Covid which delayed a heart pacemaker insertion. But he still turned up regularly with grandson Oscar to watch his beloved Blues including a last visit to Adams Park for the victory over Gillingham on October 9. Living next to the old ground in Suffield Road, he graduated from being ball-boy at Loakes Park in the 1950s to playing. He became close friends with all the FA Amateur Cup Final side especially Paul Bates, then actually donned a Blues’ senior shirt twice himself in 1963 after an excellent schoolboy career with East End Utd and Hazlemere. But many more than football followers will recall his fantastic money-raising feats – nearly £50,000 donated to Scannappeal – with his Elvis Presley silver-suited renditions at clubs and pubs including a couple of appearances on stage at WWEPA events. Our thoughts are with Christine, sons Andrew and Paul, daughter Jackie and his seven grandchildren. WWFCOFFICIAL | | www.WYCOMBEWANDERERS.co.uk | 13
Page 1 and 2: wycombe wanderers’ OFFICIAL MATCH
Page 3 and 4: THE CHAIRBOYs Adams Park, Hillbotto
Page 5 and 6: THE CHAIRBOYs CONNECTIONS David Whe
Page 7 and 8: OVER HALF A MILLION SKY BET CUSTOME
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Page 18 and 19: THE CHAIRBOYS 2021/22 season Your C
Page 20 and 21: THE CHAIRBOYS We’re handing over
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Page 24 and 25: THE CHAIRBOYS Welcome back to Adams
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Page 30 and 31: THE CHAIRBOYS IS THERE A BETTER WAY
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Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth

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