Torquay United Fans Forum

My only visit to Wycombe was the 1-0 win in the 05/06(?) season. They were top the league, we were massively struggling, yet Tony Bedeau was in the form of his life and scored the only goal.

That win gave me confidence that we could indeed stay up - though all of that confidence vanished when we lost at Rushden a few weeks later!! Definitely thought we'd blown it that game - and I always remember Bedeau missing an absolute sitter right infront of us!

Bloggy wrote:I think that was the game I went to hector. Wasn't it their first time in the league?
I remember a skydiver getting tangled in the trees behind us just before kick off. We were all squashed in a corner... wasn't it Hayden with his drum?

Yes, you are right - it was their first season in the league and Haydn was taking the drum. I think, at that time, Torquay were one of the first teams to have a drummer and it made for a great atmosphere, especially away. I'd forgotten about the Skydiver!

Wycombe ended up winning the play-offs and I remember O'Neill being a bit of a knob when Preston knocked us out and him saying something like it would be a better final with the two bigger clubs contesting it - with them having only been up a year.

A decent team that year, assembled by O'Riordan, on the cheap with Bayes; Hodges,Moore, Curran, Kelly; Hathaway, Trollope, Buckle, Goodridge; Sale, Darby, Foster, Okorie as main players plus some I have probably fogotten.

I always liked O'Riordan. I thought he was a victim of his own success that season as that team was all free transfers and youth products and when the players left he was expected to replace them with more freebies, which was an impossible task really, resulting in the team that got hammered by Scunny. Mike Bateson always said that sacking O'Riordan was one of his biggest regrets.

I think that was the game I went to hector. Wasn't it their first time in the league?
I remember a skydiver getting tangled in the trees behind us just before kick off. We were all squashed in a corner... wasn't it Hayden with his drum?

My first trip to Adams Park was in 1994. Both teams were going for promotion and there was a big contingent from Torquay and it was a great atmosphere with the drum. Martin O'Neill was Wycombe manager at the time and we were unlucky to be trailing for much of the game and indeed, deep into stoppage time, with Wycombe fans howling for the whistle.

However, a little bit of magic from Gregory Goodridge around the right hand corner in front of us (we were in a side section), sent a cross over for Mark Sale to head in with seconds remaining. It felt like a win.

Also been just the once, last season. We were very poor, but getting in for a fiver was definitely a bonus. As I recall it hardly added anything to their gate, so must have cost them a fortune. Which just goes to show why lower league football costs so much in this country, nigh on complete price inelasticity, people either come or they don't, regardless of the price.

I digress. My two overriding memories from the day are as follows:

1. My first foray into the world of twittering a (very minor) celebrity to comment on their performance. The object of my 140 character rant was Wycombe centre half Leon Johnson for his sportsmanship when he rolled towards the away end and conveniently pushed the ball far from the field of play to waste a few vital seconds towards the end. It wouldn't have made any difference, but such an act is that of a disgraceful human being (or a professional footballer). My communication with said player I'm sure did not break any law, but also unfortunately did not elicit any response.

2. At the end of a ridiculously long walk back to the train station (I could have been mistaken for a Warwick gull that day, as I trained it down from the in-laws in the midlands from parkway), I attempted to buy a can of lager for the journey back, only to be informed there is some crazy Buckinghamshire law/policy/whatever which means you can't buy a single can, and need to buy at least two! I can kind of see how that may help an alcoholism problem in a few cases, but surely not in most, and certainly not my mood on that day. I took a stand and refused to buy 2 cans, which was the wrong decision I'm sure. Just still think what a bizarre rule. Driving tomorrow so won't be an issue.

So, one of theirs goes down injured. Ricey has the ball and punts it out for a throw, 20 yards from goal in the left.
The trainer comes on and treats their guy. Ainsworth trots over and casually throws the ball out for a goal kick. All is well until the ref blows up and insists that it was a foul throw and that he must take it again.
For **** sake!

Matt.

Cheers Jeff!

Think I've only been twice. Once was a 2-0 defeat in the Lubos Kuboid relegation season (although this was before Lubos). It was actually a pretty decent game, end to end stuff and we were unfortunate to lose. Then Knoberts got involved, Atkins walked and the whole thing went to bits.

Second time was under Buckle when we got to the playoffs. 3-1 away win, stunning performance. Goal down early on, battered them from there on in. Two great goals from Wroe, Ashley Hemmings outstanding on the wing, and "local boy" Benyon wrapped it up with a goal on the break at the death. That goal will always stay in my memory, as Benyon took it passed the keeper and went to roll it in. It was trickling towards goal and the Wycombe defender (Winfield?) was on course to clear it, but kind of fell over his own feet, completely missed the ball and it ended up in the net. Good times!

Will take some of that fortune again tomorrow!

A bit late for this, i forgot.

Any stories about trips to Wycombe will be most welcome and thoroughly enjoyed.

I've only been once, last season. The game was pants and we lost 2-1 but i liked the ground, i parked on the hill, took some photos of wildlife and i got in for a fiver. There was also some sort of fun day going on outside the ground.

Nice ground but nothing nearby so it's pretty boring if you get there early for a parking spot.