Tomorrow sees Exeter City face Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers at SJP as the two promotion hopefuls battle it out in a highly anticipated game in Sky Bet League Two.
Man behind the Mask Dan Gottschalk takes a look at the Grecian’s opponents who come into the game on the back of an impressive run of form.
History
Initially formed by a group of furniture trade workers, hence the nickname the ‘Chairboys’, Wycombe Wanderers were officially founded in 1887 in a pub in High Wycombe, having previously played friendly matches as North Town Wanderers.
Wycombe would start life as a club in the amateur leagues and would not become a professional club until much later in the 20th century. They did however have their first trip to Wembley in 1957, losing 3-1 to Bishop Auckland in the final of the FA Amateur Cup.
It would be 1993 before the Chairboys would reach the Football League, eventually winning promotion under current Ireland manager Martin O’Neill, Wycombe keeping their Football League status ever since.
The following season, O’Neill resisted advances from Nottingham Forest and decided to stay with Wycombe, leading them to a successive promotion to Division Two where they would stay unitl being relegated a decade later.
Between 2009 and 2012, the club went through a series of promotions and relegations from League One before eventually settling in League Two where they have remained ever since. Following their relegation to League Two in 2012, a Supporters Club bought the club, bringing much needed financial stability.
Season so far
Despite having a decent run of form at a similar time last season and looking like a decent bet for the play-offs, Wycombe struggled in the final third of the season and eventually narrowly missed out on the play-offs, eventually finishing 9th.
This season however, the Chairboys look like they are mounting a serious challenge for promotion, after a slow start to the league, Wycombe’s recent form has been especially impressive and the club will be hopeful of at least finishing inside the play-off places come the end of the season.
Ones to watch
Adebayo Akinfenwa
Who else but ‘the beast’? Akinfenwa has been somewhat of a tourist on his career, having signed for no less than 14 clubs in an illustrious career including fellow Devon club Torquay United. Known for his physical attributes, Akinfenwa is a constant threat to defences and certainly one to watch.
Marcus Bean
Jamaican Marcus Bean plays as a holding midfielder for the Chairboys having singed for the Buckinghamshire club in 2015. Best known for his time at Brentford, Bean has proven valuable in the Wycombe midfield over the past few seasons and after making nearly 80 appearances for the side, scored his first goal for Wycombe last weekend, with his 96th minute strike to seal a 4-3 comeback against Carlisle.
Last time out
The Grecians have already faced Wycombe this season, away at Adams Park in a 0-0 draw, Exeter arguably glad to have come away with a point.
The last time the two clubs faced each other at St James Park however was a much more successful encounter for Exeter, the match ending 4-2 in favour of the home side with Wycombe coming off the back of an unsuccessful FA Cup encounter away at Tottenham.
Tickets
The IP Office Stand is sold out for the match against Wycombe Wanderers, meaning there is only standing tickets available for the match in the Thatchers’ Big Bank.
Tickets should still be available to purchase on the day, but the club is advising that supporters buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. You can do this by clicking on the following link and then you can collect your ticket from the ticket booth in Red Square on matchday.
You can also purchase tickets by calling 01392 411243 during normal office hours or by visiting the club shop and reception during normal office hours.