Wycombe Wanderers were founded in 1887, at a meeting held at the Steam Engine pub on Station Road. Many locals remember the sloping pitch of Loakes Park (now in the hospital grounds) that was home to the team from 1895 to 1990. They then moved to their current site, Adams Park, where they have a stadium with capacity for 9,500 supporters.
The club was owned by its supporters from 2012 to 2019, when it was bought by US businessman, Rob Couhig. During his ownership, the club rose briefly to the Championship under manager Gareth Ainsworth, after an epic win over Oxford United at Wembley Stadium.
Currently in League 1, they were bought in 2024 by Georgian business tycoon, Mikheil Lomtadze. The new regime is laser focused on delivering success on the pitch, starting with a significant investment in superb new training facilities at Booker and a further centre planned in Farnham Park. Soon after arriving, Lomtadze appointed Dan Rice as club Chairman – showing a clear direction of travel, given his Youth Academy experience at Southampton, Everton and Fulham. The pitch was re-laid last year, at a sizeable cost – it’s in superb condition. Players, training facilities and a first-class pitch – all being funded for the future.
What’s clear is this isn’t an in-and-out investment; Lomtadze is in it for the long haul.
Aside from football, this club values community. The Wycombe Wanderers Foundation (a registered charity) began in 2007 and employs 20 members of staff to make a difference in local peoples’ lives. Activities include after-school, Saturday morning and school holiday soccer clubs for children; and keep fit, ballroom dancing, darts, dementia cafes, walking football, walking groups, chair yoga and more for older residents. Visit wycombewanderersfoundation.co.uk or call 01494 455 736 for more details.
A Home match is not to be missed – the buzz, drama and a strong sense of community. On match days, gates open at noon for live music, children’s challenges and inflatables, a bar and local food trucks, plus a big screen showing live Premier League action. Fans can meet the players as they arrive at 1pm before heading into the stadium for kick-off at 3pm. A day out for all the family!
Our front cover and the photos on this page show club captain, Jack Grimmer, in the new season’s strip. Above all, come and join our Chairboys gang. This is truly a club for all of us who live in this town.