Latest news with #MikeDodds
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.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'You are amazing' - Wycombe's head coach donates money to teen's play-off challenge
Wycombe Wanderers head coach Mike Dodds has donated £150 to a 13-year-old's charitable fundraiser. Charlie, a Sunderland supporter, hopes to attend each of the 12 EFL play-off semi-finals across the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as each of the three finals at Wembley Stadium. This is to raise funds for Cancer Research, with the teenager aiming to hit a £1,500 goal by Monday, May 26, when the last of the three finals takes place. At the time of writing, he has already helped raise £1,210. The schoolboy was recently seen at Adams Park as Wycombe drew 0-0 with Charlton Athletic in their first leg semi-final on May 11, and he is expected to be present for the second leg on May 15 at the Valley. This will mean that Charlie would have attended 12 stadiums in different areas of the country in less than 10 days, before enjoying three consecutive days at Wembley across the Bank Holiday Weekend at the end of this month. To support the cause, Dodds, who joined Wanderers from Sunderland following Matt Bloomfield's departure earlier this year, donated £150 to Charlie's cause and said that the teenager is 'amazing'. Wycombe midfielder and fan favourite Josh Scowen has also donated £50. Here is the list of play-off games Charlie has attended and hopes to attend. Thursday, May 9 Bristol City 0-3 Sheffield United, Ashton Gate Friday, May 10 Coventry City 1-2 Sunderland, Ricoh Arena Monday, May 12 Sheffield United 3-0 Bristol City, Bramall Lane Tuesday, May 13 Sunderland vs Coventry City, Stadium of Light Saturday, May 10 Leyton Orient 2-2 Stockport County, Brisbane Road Sunday, May 11 Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Charlton Athletic Wednesday, May 14 Stockport County vs Leyton Orient, Edgeley Park Thursday, May 15 Charlton Athletic vs Wycombe Wanderers, The Valley Saturday, May 10 Notts County 0-1 AFC Wimbledon, Meadow Lane Sunday, May 11 Chesterfield 0-2 Walsall, SMH Group Stadium Friday, May 16 Walsall vs Chesterfield, Poundland Bescot Stadium Saturday, May 17 AFC Wimbledon vs Notts County, Plough Lane Play-off final dates League Two: Monday, May 26 League One: Sunday, May 25 Championship: Saturday, May 24 An extract from the charity page, which has been organised by Charlie's grandfather, Peter Clarke, reads: "We could only get to watch the first half at the Chesterfield game which finished 2-0 to Walsall. "Then a drive down south to Wycombe v Charlton, which ended goalless draw. "The weather was fab all day, met some really lovely fans from all four clubs. "On the way home, back up north to spend a few hours in my own bed, then the reverse fixtures start again with Sheffield United v Bristol City. "Thanks to everyone who is helping me and Charlie and those who have donated and shared."
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Both sides defended well' - Dodds on Charlton draw
Wycombe manager Mike Dodds says he cannot criticise his players for failing to break Charlton down in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final at Adams sides played out a goalless draw on Sunday and will meet again at The Valley on admitted he expected a tight game and said both sides deserved credit for their defensive resilience."The game panned out exactly how I thought," he told BBC Three Counties Radio. "I was hoping for a moment of quality from someone on the pitch. We've got some quality, particularly in the front half of the pitch."That is not me having a go at anyone. You've got to give the opposition credit, they defended really well. Their backline dealt with our movements in trying to get in behind quicker."We defended really well and cancelled them out. I can't criticise our players."Dodds warned his players not to be concerned by a tough environment in the away leg and said they should focus on how they approach the game."I just said to the players, the style won't change but the occasion will be different. We have to separate the two and concentrate on the style instead of the atmosphere," he said.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Charlton and Wycombe battle to stalemate in League One play-off semi-final opener
Wycombe and Charlton could not be separated as they played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final at Adams Park. Despite Mike Dodds' Chairboys being the out-of-form side out of all of the teams involved in the play-offs, they were superb in the opening 45 minutes. Jack Grimmer and Fred Onyedinma worked brilliantly down the right-hand side to cause the Addicks' back-line numerous problems, and they almost took the lead inside the opening five minutes. Grimmer's ball found Cameron Humphreys, who brilliantly picked out striker Dan Udoh. He took a touch and fizzed a shot at goal from the edge of the box but goalkeeper Will Mannion managed to parry the ball to safety. From the resulting corner, Sonny Bradley's header went wide. It was a tight and cagey affair as Charlton struggled to break down a stubborn defence. Wanderers looked alert, dangerous and a completely different side from the one on the end of a 4-0 thumping by the South East London outfit 20 days earlier. One bone of contention in the first half was that Addicks boss Nathan Jones and his side believed Wycombe forward Richard Kone should have been shown a straight red card. The Ivorian was chasing down Kayne Ramsay but slipped, catching the full-back on the calf. Referee Farai Hallam opted to give Kone a yellow card, but replays suggested the tackle was dangerous and that the 21-year-old was fortunate to stay on the pitch. Moments later, Kone was involved in a pushing match with Macaulay Gillesphey which led to a small melee between both sets of players. Following the coming together, Wycombe's Xavier Simons and Charlton captain Greg Docherty were booked for their part. The second half was similar to the first as both sides put bodies on the line. Onyedinma and Adam Reach went close for Wycombe, while Tyreece Campbell saw a shot blocked by Bradley. Will Norris was called into action after 69 minutes when he blocked Matty Godden's stinging effort, before he once again denied the ex-Coventry man in the closing stages. A long ball over the top found Godden, who fired a volley towards goal after brilliantly controlling it on his chest. Norris pushed it away, and from the resulting corner he was there to claw away Docherty's close-range effort.
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.
