Wycombe Wanderers: The Rockstar Rollercoaster Ride

“Yeah, the wanderer I roam around, around, around”. Well, it’s been far from it in terms of Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe Wanderers.

The song which has been adopted as Wycombe’s club song since the Couhig’s began their courtship of Wycombe back in July of 2019, has been at the centre of Wycombe’s increased theatrics on matchday – even Gareth recorded a cover of the track back in November.

As the lyrics read of roaming around, it is the polar opposite when analysing Ainsworth’s time in the dugout at Adams Park. Following Wycombe’s 6-3 aggregate win over Fleetwood Town in the League One Playoff semi-final it was the 405th time Ainsworth took charge of the Blues in a spell which has been rollercoaster to match the rockstar.

The Beginning

Ainsworth began his tenure in charge of Wycombe on the 24th September 2012 taking the jump from player to Caretaker manager. Gareth solidified his succession as he was given the job permanently in November. He ended his first season in charge comfortably keeping Wycombe in League Two.

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The following season, 2013-14, is one of the defining years in Wycombe’s 133-year history. Ainsworth and his men miraculously beat the drop on the final day of the season after beating Torquay 3-0 whilst Bristol Rovers failed to secure a point at home to Mansfield.  Looking back on the season, the difference came down to three 90+5 minute goals that epitomised the never give up spirit that Ainsworth’s players had coursing through their veins.

Changing Fortunes

With the batteries recharged over the summer, Wycombe buckled up for Rock n Roller coaster season that Aerosmith’s ride at Disney World would’ve been proud of. Much like the rollercoaster in Orlando, the Chairboys shot out the blocks full speed. From 16th September (Matchday 8) to 24th April (Matchday 44) Wycombe occupied an automatic promotion slot up until the Chairboys’ bogey side, Morecambe, scored a late winner to all but condemn the Chairboys to a playoff campaign. 

Wycombe travelled down to the Pilgrim coast and felt like they were on a pilgrimage of their own to Wembley as with five minutes to go they were 3-0 up and had seen Home Park almost deserted. However, two late goals from Argyle gave them hope for the 2nd leg at Adams Park.

Two first-half goals for Wycombe calmed nerves around Adams Park and they went onto win 2-1 confirming their place at Wembley. Having won their previous three visits to Wembley the Chairboys felt comfortable playing on the grand stage – however 21 years since their last appearance on the hallowed turf.

It was a cagey affair from start to finish. Wycombe took the lead with Joe Jacobson’s wand of a left foot free-kick that struck Bentley’s back to give Wycombe an early lead in extra-time. The Shrimps in the regular season and the Shrimpers now at Wembley provided Wycombe’s late heartbreak again. Pigott guided his 122nd-minute strike past an exhausted Chairboys defence to send the final to penalties.

Bentley redeemed himself as he saved Sam Wood’s penalty to launch Southend into League One. A feeling of immediate heartache was evident amongst those in light and dark blue, but also pride in what that Wycombe side had achieved one year on from surviving in the football league by a thread.

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On the playoff final, Ainsworth described the experience; “we’ve just had our first drink, there is no way we’re going to have a hangover over that one. I’d like to have a big hangover in a few years time.” A hangover that could start on the 13th of May 2020.

The Steady Years

Ainsworth third year in charge best relates to slow section of the rollercoaster ride in preparation for the climb. The fond memory of the Chairboys in the 2015-16 season was the FA Cup 3rd Round match-up against Premier League Aston Villa. A near-soldout Adams Park hosted Villa in the atmosphere of a possible FA Cup upset. The Blues drew 1-1 forcing a replay at Villa Park where they would be beaten 2-0.

Now, the rollercoaster is in full swing spurred on by the arrival of Adebayo Akinfenwa. This is the start of the climb. A superb spell between November and December was Wycombe’s shot at the play-offs but a new year slump ended Wycombe’s chances. Once again, it was the FA Cup that provided Wycombe’s excitement.

A 4th round tie against Spurs at White Hart Lane was mouth-watering before kick-off and nobody could predict the madness that was in store. A seven-goal thriller between the two sides marked it as an FA Cup classic for all-time. Wycombe took the lead twice in the game but ultimately succumbed to the Premier League giants when Son struck home in the 97th minute.

Ride to the Summit

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At this point, rollercoaster analogies are wearing thing, just like the Chairboys’ finances. In the transfer market, Ainsworth opted for experience with El-Abd and Mackail-Smith whilst giving opportunities for Eberchi Eze and Dan Scarr. A season-defining 3-2 away win at Kenilworth Road where Nathan Tyson rolled back the years fired Wycombe into the top two with two of his own. Five days later, Bean with the shot was born bringing to life Wycombe’s watershed moment.

The Chairboys held on through gritted teeth and dogged defending to have a shot of promotion when they travelled to already-relegated Chesterfield on matchday 45 of the footballing calendar. Ex-Wycombe man, Alex Revell, netted a hat-trick after 50 minutes against Exeter to put promotion in the hands of the Chairboys.

Step forward, Dominic Gape who rifled home a shot into the top corner. Chairboys limbs ensued in the packed Chesterfield away end and Gape wheeled away shirt grabbing and fist-pumping before being swarmed by the Wycombe players and fans. The Blues held on in the Wycombe way and achieved promotion back to League One in their 25th consecutive season in the Football League.

Mission Survival

Life in League One began with one aim – survival. The loss of Luke O’Nien was tough to take and his presence would be missed greatly by the Adams Park faithful but Gareth managed to do wonders in the transfer market again bringing home Jason McCarthy and former Chairboys Allsop and Thompson.

A slow start found them toe-dipping in the relegation zone at the start of October and Chairboys fans alike knew the extent of the challenge. However, as things always do under Ainsworth, Wycombe got going again and good form between October and January saw the Blues rise as high as 9th.

Horrendous form from February to mid-April sent Wycome spiralling down the table into an uncomfortable 20th place with five games to go (without a win in 12). A trip to the seaside proved joyous back in 2014 and would it have the same outcome when they faced off against Southend in a crucial game for survival.

The Beast, Akinfenwa, notched a quickfire double to give Wycome their first win since the end of January. Back-to-back wins at Adams Park confirmed Wycombe’ status in League One for a second season and Wycombe had stayed up despite their shoestring budget.

The Pinnacle

Along came Ainsworth’s 7th year in charge and with it a season beyond anybody wildest dreams. Firstly, Wycombe’s financial worries were relieved when New Orleans family, the Couhigs, saved the sinking financial ship of Wycombe and allowed the Chairboys wriggle room off the pitch to allow success on it.

A now-infamous prediction of Wycombe to finish 23rd plastered on the walls of the manager’s office set the tone for Ainsworth’s mentality to prove everybody wrong. And so he did. Gareth’s shrewd transfer business was put to the test again as he brought in Grimmer, Wheeler and the loan acquisitions of Oforborh and Smyth to name a few. The marquee signing being the return of the magical Fred Onyedinma…this time on a permanent basis.

As they did in 2015, the Blues roared out at the blocks topping the table after Jacobson scored that set-piece hat-trick. The Wanderers kept up the brilliant start and went an unprecedented three months unbeaten to lead the pack until January. A poor run in December and January, in comparison to the start of the season, took the lead from Wycombe’s grip but hope remained amongst the Chairboys fans. Form picked up and Ainsworth & co stabilised their position as a promotion contender. But just when you thought the season couldn’t get any crazier…

The COVID-19 pandemic hit England and halted all aspects of life around the world. From Friday the 13th of March, football had been suspended in England until Premier League action returned on the 17th June. During the whirlwind three months action was being taken by the EFL to decide how League One would come to an end. Talk of playing out the season behind closed doors was shut down due to the unrepairable financial hit it would cause many clubs.

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A decision was made on the 9th of June when the majority of League One clubs voted to end the season and finish it on a PPG calculation which saw Wycombe leapfrog from 8th to 3rd and achieve their highest ever finish in their history. Much to the displeasure of Peterborough Chairman and their fans.

The PPG decision would still allow playoffs to be carried out and Wycombe was scheduled to face Fleetwood Town, who were enjoying a 12-match unbeaten run prior to the season suspension. The general feeling of Chairboys supporters before they played Fleetwood was brimming with pride at the fact little Wycombe Wanderers were three games away from Championship football.

Three months without football, no fans and strict precautions made Wycombe’s visit to Highbury a dystopian encounter. From dystopian off the pitch to utopian on it. Wycombe opened the scoring with a Nnamdi Ofoborh wonder strike to ease Chairboy nerves but not for long.

A dubious penalty decision given against Wycombe opened the door for Evans to slot Fleetwood back on level terms within minutes and parity was restored. At least for a couple of minutes until Jacobson’s wand provided more magic to stun Fleetwood and put Wycombe in front again. The chaos didn’t stop there as Coyle lunged in on Jacobson giving away a penalty and being given his marching orders.

Jacobson was denied from the spot but Wycombe kept pushing and Wheeler volleyed in to give Wycombe much-needed breathing space heading into half-time. Cairns continued his disastrous performance as he failed to catch the ball and Samuel pounced scissor-kicking Wycombe into a 4-1 lead. After Madden threw a ‘Paddy’ he was dismissed by Harrington and the game finished as ‘one-four’ Wycombe fans to remember for a long time.

Three days later the second leg rolled around. Would Wycombe be able to hold on or would the Cod Army complete a sensational comeback?

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Danny Andrew ignited Fleetwood belief with brilliant strike finding the corner after 22 minutes. The half-time whistle sounded and Wycombe fans could finally breathe after a non-stop flurry of Fleetwood attack.

The mounting pressure on Wycombe’s backline was relieved immediately in the second half as Souttar misjudged his pass and Onyedinma drilled home the loose ball. 1-1 and Fleetwood had it all to do. Barton’s side weren’t giving as Evans stroked home his second penalty of the tie and pressure was heaped back on Wycombe with 30 minutes to go.

Despite Fleetwood’s 80% possession nothing could find its way past the brick wall of Darius Charles and Anthony Stewart. Wycombe secured their path to Wembley when Onyedinma superbly finished from outside the box to make sure it would be Wycombe wandering off to Wembley.

The Fairytale Ending?

On Monday 13th July 2020 one year on from when Wycombe’s season started with a friendly against Barnet where nine Wycombe players were available to a League One play-off final under the arch. The journey this season is a microcosm of the voyage Gareth Ainsworth has taken Wycombe Wanderers football club on since he became manager 7 years, 293 days ago (as of 13/07/20). 

Whatever happens at Wembley…whether it be the europhic culmination of 7 years work or a tragic defeat at the hands of Oxford, Wycombe fans will never forget the ride one man from Blackburn along with his right-hand man ‘Dobbo’ have taken this little club hidden away in trees at the back of an industrial estate.

To put it rock n’ roll terms, Gareth “I was made for lovin’ you baby… and I can’t get enough of you baby”.