Latest news with #AdamsPark
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I'm truly gutted' - Sam Vokes on leaving Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers striker Sam Vokes has revealed he is 'gutted' to be leaving the club this summer. The 35-year-old was informed on May 20 that his contract with the Adams Park side would not be renewed, making him a free agent come June 30. He joined the Chairboys in the summer of 2021 from Stoke City and scored 30 goals in 144 games. However, he was limited to just nine outings in all competitions this season after suffering an injury in August. Following his recovery in February, he would only play four more times. His final appearance in the light and dark blue quarters saw Vokes come on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Luke Leahy in the club's 3-1 home defeat against Stockport County on May 3. However, he was taken off just seconds later after sustaining a broken arm, which was later operated on. In a statement released via his agent, the ex-Wales international said: 'After finding out this morning [May 20] I'll be leaving this special club after four years, I can only say I'm truly gutted. 'I'd always heard about the great culture and good people at the club, so to be brought in by Gareth Ainsworth and to be part of that group and getting to know the players and staff has been an absolute pleasure. 'While we've come very close a few times (narrowly missing out in the recent play-offs), it's amazing to create and be part of some truly special moments.' The fan favourite mentioned how he had numerous 'fond memories' which have been created since 2021, with one being the 2022 play-off semi-final first leg 2-0 victory against Milton Keynes at Adams Park. The forward scored Wycombe's second goal with a trademark header from a Garath McCleary cross, with his strike effectively securing the Chairboys' place in that year's final, which they lost to Sunderland. In his message, he thanked the support shown by the club's fans, as well as his previous managers in Ainsworth and Matt Bloomfield, and current head coach, Mike Dodds. Vokes, earlier this year, acted as an interim coach behind Sam Grace following Bloomfield's departure to Luton Town. He added: "I'm disappointed not to have been able to chip in a bit more on the pitch this year. 'I picked up an injury in the first half of the season and then broke my arm a few weeks ago against Stockport, which is frustrating when I know I still have more to offer on the pitch. 'However, the injuries have allowed me to help the club in another capacity from the dugout, with Sam Grace as interim and now Mike Dodds. 'That's been an honour and a huge and important learning curve.' He concluded: 'I know this club has changed a lot over my four years, but I hope that the culture, work ethic and core values remain and I wish the club every success going forward.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Striker Vokes 'truly gutted' to leave Wycombe
Former Wales striker Sam Vokes says he is "truly gutted" to be leaving Wycombe Wanderers after spending four years at Adams announced on Tuesday that Vokes was among six senior players leaving the club at the end of their 35-year-old striker scored 28 goals in his 93 starts for the club after joining from Stoke City in 2021, and has more recently been involved in the Wanderers' coaching were knocked out of the League One play-offs by Charlton Athletic after finishing fifth."After finding out this morning I'll be leaving this special club after four years, I can only say I'm truly gutted," said Vokes, who is part of the BBC Sounds Feast of Football podcast team. "I'd always heard about the great culture and good people at the club, so to be brought in by [former manager] Gareth Ainsworth to be part of that group and getting to know the players and staff has been an absolute pleasure. "When I joined Wycombe, I was desperate for success and to be part of something special. While we've come very close a few times, it's been amazing to create and be part of some truly special moments."A knee injury and a recent broken arm - picked up in the final regular League One fixture of the season against Stockport County - limited Vokes to seven substitute appearances in the league this season, scoring an open letter written to Wycombe fans, Vokes said he had "more to offer on the pitch" but did not give any hints as to his future won 64 caps for Wales between 2008 and 2019, scoring 11 goals, including one of the most memorable goals ever scored by a Welshman against Belgium in the quarter-finals of Euro has also played for Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier said a recent stint as part of the Wycombe coaching team under interim manager Sam Grace and then Mike Dodds has been "an honour and a huge learning curve"."I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every player, staff member and fan of this club for being part of my journey here at Wycombe," he added."I know this club has changed a lot over my four years, but I hope that culture, work-ethic and core values remain and I wish the club every success going forward."Up the Chairboys, Vokesy."
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wycombe offer Low new deal as Vokes departs
Wycombe Wanderers have offered a new contract to defender Joe Low while fellow Wales international Sam Vokes heads a list of six senior players leaving the made 42 appearances, scoring four goals, for the Chairboys who finished third in League One but lost to Charlton Athletic in the helped the club reach the play-off final in 2022, in which they lost to Sunderland but only played nine games this season."Sam has been a wonderful ambassador for the club in many ways and his experience and character off the pitch have been hugely instrumental, even though his playing time has become limited," said chief football officer Dan forwards Brandon Hanlan, Beryly Lubala and Kieran Sadlier are also leaving Adams Park, along with goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli and former West Brom, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Adam Reach, who was signed in February on a short-term deal."Brandon worked extremely hard to battle back from his year-long injury and that speaks volumes for his determination and resilience, while Beryly and Kieran have provided lots of bright sparks in the attack, though both have also been unfortunate with injuries," said well as Low, Wycombe have also offered new deals to youngsters Fin Back, Jahiem Dotse, Jack Matton and Laurie following last Thursday's 1-0 aggregate loss to Charlton, Wycombe's owners Feliciana EFL Ltd have said the club has an "exciting future ahead".In a message to supporters, they added: "We've already shown what we're capable of - this season will only make us more determined and better prepared for what's next."One setback will not deter us from the longer-term goals that we have put in place to take this club to levels it has never reached before."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Wycombe man Eberechi Eze becomes first former Chairboy to win the FA Cup
Former Wycombe Wanderers winger and fan favourite Eberechi Eze has become the first ex-Chairboy to win the FA Cup after leaving the club. The 26-year-old, who spent half of the 2017/18 season with the Adams Park side, scored the winning goal in Crystal Palace's 1-0 victory against Manchester City at a packed Wembley Stadium on May 17. This strike secured the Eagles' first-ever domestic trophy, as well as confirming their place in the Europa League next season. Eberechi Oluchi Eze. — VERSUS (@vsrsus) May 17, 2025 They will also take part in the Community Shield for the inaugural occasion in August of this year, when they face Premier League champions Liverpool. Eze's individual moment of glory came eight years after he made his brief stint at Wycombe on loan from Queens Park Rangers, where he played 22 times in all competitions, scoring five times. This included bagging an incredible brace against Cambridge United on October 7, 2027 – his first strikes in professional football. Speaking on his moment that won Palace their first major trophy, he said: 'No words, man. 'I can only thank God. 'This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. 'Who would have thought we could do it?' 'We've made history today. 'The tactics were good, but it's all about spirit. 'That's energy, that's everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.' After his loan spell with Wycombe ended, he returned to Loftus Road and immediately found a place in the team, spending the next two-and-a-half years in the QPR side. A big-money move to Crystal Palace followed in 2020, and in the last five years, he has become one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, whilst also making his England debut. His FA Cup victory means he is the first player to leave Wycombe and win the world's oldest football competition. Eberechi Eze believed to be the first former Wycombe Wanderers player to be on a FA Cup Final winning side. Viv Busby (Fulham 1975) and Roger Johnson (Cardiff 2008) were on the losing side. Congratulations Ebe ✊️#FACup — Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) May 17, 2025 Viv Busby, who started his career at Wanderers, played for Fulham in the 1975 final, where they lost to West Ham United. Striker Dion Dublin, who had a brief loan spell with the club in 1988 from Cambridge United, featured in Aston Villa's FA Cup final loss against Chelsea in 2000 and in 2008, Roger Johnson, who again began his long-playing career with the Adams Park side, played in the showpiece for Cardiff City, who lost to Portsmouth that year.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We have nothing to fear' - Wycombe's Mike Dodds on Charlton Athletic test
Wycombe Wanderers head coach Mike Dodds believes that his side has 'nothing to fear' as they prepare to take on Charlton Athletic in the League One play-offs. The Addicks did the double over the Chairboys in the regular season, with the most recent encounter ending in a 4-0 thumping for the South East London side. However, Dodds believes that if his team can 'eradicate' the mistakes made in that loss back in April, Wanderers can cause Charlton 'lots of problems'. He said: 'The scoreline was the scoreline the last time we played them, and I can't make excuses for it. 'The game will be tight as there is a lot to play for, as everyone knows what is at stake. 'If the players perform to their capability, we will be as good as any of the other teams in the play-offs, and if we do that, we have nothing to fear. 'I don't think there was much in the game when we last played them in terms of the first two goals were second phases from set pieces.' The most recent game resulted in Wanderers' heaviest home defeat for seven years, with it being the first time they had shipped four or more goals at Adams Park in the league since 2022. And with Charlton boss Nathan Jones claiming that the performance was his side's best on the road all season, Dodds is hoping his side will have a successful 10 days in the play-offs. He said: 'Watching it [the Charlton game] back, I thought, how are we 2-0 down at half-time, as it came from nowhere. 'The third goal is a mistake, and the fourth goal took the wind out of the sails. 'For me, if we can eradicate those minor mistakes which they capitalised on, and have a bit more of a threat at the top of the pitch, we'll cause them lots of problems. 'I'm confident that if we turn up on the day with the players that we have, we'll have a successful 10 days.' On the injury front, he added: 'We have got a couple of knocks again – some different ones. 'They haven't trained today [Thursday], but we're hoping they'll be able to train tomorrow [Friday]. 'We'll have to wait and see where we are at. 'We might have a couple that could be struggling, so I am hoping we get some good news.' Dodds refused to name those who might face a late fitness test.
