History of Wycombe Wanderers F.C.

The history of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. covers the full history of the club from its formation to the last completed season and even its recent years.

History Formation and early years (1887–1895) Four histories have been published, Ted Rolph's in 1957, Steve Daglish's in 1984, John Goldsworthy's in 1990 and Steve Peart and Dave Finch's in 1996. These are the only sources, in addition to the local newspaper the Bucks Free Press which detail the formation of the club. Ted Rolph's notes of a conversation with John Randell, Wycombe Wanderers first ever goalkeeper, only published in 1996, provide perhaps the best information available. John Randell explains that a group of young lads from Wheelers Field, an area to the north of High Wycombe, started a team to play matches in 1884. This team was called North Town Wanderers.

In 1887, a meeting was called by Jim Ray, backed by Datchet Webb at the Steam Engine Public House in Station Road, High Wycombe. The name North Town Wanderers was proposed by Noel Curtis but John Randell proposed the name Wycombe Wanderers, on the grounds that some of the players lived in other parts of the town. After a discussion, the name Wycombe Wanderers was agreed. The meeting also resulted in the appointments of Brewers Drayman Billy Dimmock as Chairman, Datchet Webb as Captain, George Cook as treasurer and Jim Ray as Secretary. It is highly likely the club was named Wanderers after the famous Wanderers F.C., winners of the first F.A. Cup in 1872, who visited the town on 15 December 1877 and defeated High Wycombe 9–0 en route to their fifth and final F.A. Cup triumph. The varsity colours of Oxford and Cambridge blue were also chosen, although the club had no direct connection with the Universities, the players being local working men. The meeting also saw the club apply and gain junior status and began its inaugural season playing friendly matches and competing in the High Wycombe Challenge Cup. The club's first ever game was a goal-less draw against the Wycombe Nose Club on 24 September 1887.

In 1889–1890 the club committee decided to enter two teams in the High Wycombe Challenge Cup. The reserves were entered as Wycombe Wanderers whilst the first team adopted the name Wild West. They beat High Wycombe 2–0 in the final in a second replay, after the first two matches ended one-each. Jim Ray and Edward Crook scored the goals to secure the first much coveted trophy for the club.Finch, D & Peart, S. (1996). Wycombe Wanderers 1887–1996 The Official History. Yore Publications. Page 11. .

The early years saw the club change its headquarters, using a number of public houses close to the Rye. In addition to the Steam Engine, they included the Masons Arms and the Nags Head. The Rye was, and still is today, a long stretch of public land to the east of the town centre. In 1891 the club secured the use of the Cricket Ground for a Junior Cup tie. This enabled the club to charge spectators and keep out the rowdy element which afflicted all football at the time. The following season saw the club use the cricket ground on a regular basis. At the start of the 1893–94 season the club secured the use of Spring Meadow for a £5 annual rent. Integral in this move was right-back Charley Harper, who became secretary. The move was a great success, with a 2,000 crowd recorded for a friendly against Wolverton London and North Western Railway. There was also a Cup double, with victories in both the High Wycombe Challenge Cup and the Maidenhead Norfolkians Cup.

Despite the success, there was some discontent in the summer of 1894 as many of the players wanted the club to retain its junior status. At a meeting in the Nags Head in July, the proposal that Wanderers enter the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, the FA Amateur Cup and the FA Cup was carried unanimously. The club's first taste of Amateur Cup football ended in a 5–1 defeat at West Herts; however, the High Wycombe Challenge Cup was retained. At the end of the 1894–95 season the club was informed that Spring Meadow had been sold, and it was soon built over by the London Marylebone railway line. The club approached Lord Carrington, who owned Wycombe Abbey and the surrounding estate including Loakes Park who responded by letter stating he had no objections. The club's AGM saw the General Committee enlarged to fifteen members and the Match Committee (which selected the teams) set at six. The Nags Head remained the club's headquarters but the Red Lion Hotel was to be used as the team's changing facilities. The first competitive game at Loakes Park was also the club's first ever FA Cup tie. A first qualifying round fixture against Wolverton London and North Western Railway, which ended in an unlucky 3–2 defeat. The move to Loakes Park proved to be a real catalyst and the club played a friendly fixture against FA Amateur Cup holders Middlesbrough. The ground also hosted its first female game. The season also saw the birth of an intense and bitter rivalry with Marlow when the teams met in the first round proper of the F.A. Amateur Cup. 1,500 Wanderers fans travelled the five miles to the Crown Ground, many of whom walked, and they were part of 2,700 crowd who witnessed a thrilling match. An Ellerton goal four minutes from time sealed a 3–2 win for Marlow. In May 1896 the club learned that their application to join the Southern League had been accepted.Finch, D & Peart, S. (1996). Wycombe Wanderers 1887–1996 The Official History. Yore Publications. Page 15-18. .

The Southern League years (1896–1908) Entering the league was a big gamble, with away games as far as Bristol and Southampton but the club was keen to get away from friendly games and provide more attractive home games for their supporters. It was also a league dominated by professional teams, and rumours circulated that the club was to turn professional. However, the club saw no need and competed as amateurs. 1896 The club finished fifth its first season in the Southern League Second Division and the rivalry with Marlow continued with defeat by ten men in the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup in front of 4,000. It was to become a recurring theme, as two further painful defeats followed in 1899 and 1900. The latter proved to be a controversial match, with Marlow captain Ted Shaw walking off the pitch in protest at having three goals ruled out for offside, and he was followed by his goalkeeper. The game continued without them and they were persuaded to re-join the match. Marlow equalised in the last minute of the game by bundling Wanderers goalkeeper Ernie Wheeler into the back of net after he had held onto the ball for too long. This time the Wanderers players refused to play extra-time; however, the game eventually started as dusk began to fall. Marlow went on to lead 4–3 with six minutes remaining when the ball was kicked onto the railway embankment. The crowd refused to give the ball back and pitch was engulfed by supporters. The referee abandoned the match and Wycombe refused to play the remaining six minutes; the cup was subsequently awarded to Marlow. It would prove to be a watershed moment, particularly for Marlow, whose victory would be their last for 91 years. Wycombe refused to enter the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup in the 1900–01 season in protest.Finch, D & Peart, S. (1996). Wycombe Wanderers 1887–1996 The Official History. Yore Publications. Pages 21–22. .

In the summer of 1899 the club vacated Loakes Park temporarily to allow for the infamous bent pitch to be straightened. The club began playing at the alternative venue of Barrack Meadow, but only three games were played there as it was against military rules to charge admission on the ground. The Wanderers moved to Daws Hill Park, part of Wycombe Abbey Park, on a former hockey pitch. Although Lord Carrington kindly allowed the club to use the ground rent free, they had to build a bridge over the Dyke from the Rye as the main gates weren't allowed to be used. The club returned to Loakes Park for the start of the 1901–02 season and the holy grail, the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup was finally won. The final was played at Maidenhead against Slough and goals from Bill Buchanan, Bob White and Fred 'Sunny' Rouse gave the Blues a 3–0 win. It was the club's first win as a senior side, and the club felt it had truly established itself. Fred Rouse became the Chairboys first professional player when he signed professional forms for Shepherds Bush.Finch, D & Peart, S. (1996). Wycombe Wanderers 1887–1996 The Official History. Yore Publications. Page 23. .

The summer of 1903 saw Bernard "Bunny" Hooper become captain and Loakes Park was improved with a fund initiated to build a stand. The stand was completed in January 1904. The following season saw the Wanderers denied the first appearance in the first round proper of the FA Cup, losing 4–1 to Brentford at Loakes Park. In 1904 the club became the last Amateur club to compete in the Southern League. This soon became a distinct disadvantage and results soon suffered. Attendances and gate receipts fell. The 1905–06 saw the club finish bottom of the Southern League Second Division. Debate followed whether the club should embrace professionalism but there was little appetite for turning their back on the amateur game. The 1906–07 season also saw the Blues finish bottom and the worst ever season in the club's history followed in 1907–08. The club won just one of its 18 league games.

The pursuit of purpose (First World War) (1908–1921) In the summer of 1908 Charley Harper tendered his resignation for the third time and it was reluctantly accepted. He had played a crucial role in the development of the club and his loss was greatly felt. The Wanderers were invited to retain their membership of the Southern League but declined, accepting that it was clearly no place for amateurs. The club joined the Great Western Suburban League in 1908 in an effort to boost income that local derbies could generate. The club enjoyed its best ever league season in 1908–09, finishing third and further success followed with a second Berks & Bucks Senior Cup triumph. Chesham Generals were beaten 3–0 in the final at Marlow. The match ball still exists today and can be found in current secretary Keith Allen's office! The 1909–10 season saw the club record its all-time record victory, an 18–1 win over Staines with striker Fred Pheby notching seven. The club continued to enjoy life in the Great Western Suburban League and the taste of success in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup became very familiar with victories in 1910 (a 3–0 replay win over Wokingham Athletic) and 1913 (a 2–1 replay win over Maidenhead Norfolkians). The fourth round of the FA Amateur Cup was also reached in two successive seasons (1910 and 1911).Finch, D & Peart, S. (1996). Wycombe Wanderers 1887–1996 The Official History. Yore Publications. Page 27. .

Events off the pitch soon affected the club. In the autumn and winter of 1913 a major industrial dispute in the furniture trade in High Wycombe saw workers locked out and attendances were seriously affected. However, far more serious events were taking place in Europe and the First World War soon broke out. Wycombe players joined the two companies of Territorials and the Bucks Battalion. Loakes Park was used for training artillerymen and the club ceased to be active for the duration of the war. The club and football began to organise itself again and in the summer of 1919 the club held its AGM at the Red Lion Hotel and all stood for those who had lost their lives in the First World War. They included the following players; Charlie Buchanan, George Buchanan, Pat Carter, Bunny Fowler, Frank Langley, Jock Love, Jim McDermott, Edward Reynolds, A Saunders and Harry Stallwood.Finch, D & Peart, S. (1996). Wycombe Wanderers 1887–1996 The Official History. Yore Publications. Page 29. .