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.
The exact details of the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. has largely been lost to history. 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 first item on the agenda was the name of the club. 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 heated 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, in great secrecy, 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.
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 managed to secure 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.
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