91-529: Underhill Stadium was a stadium in Chipping Barnet , London, that was the home of Barnet Football Club between 1907 and 2013. The club's under-19 team played fixtures there; it was also the training ground of the London Broncos rugby league club, and hosted Arsenal reserve games until 2012. At the time of its closure, the stadium had a capacity of 6,023; it was demolished in 2018, and is now
182-476: A market , one that was established here at the end of the 12th century and persists to this day. Chipping Barnet is one of the highest urban settlements in London, with the town centre having an elevation of about 427 feet (130 m). The town's name, recorded as Barneto in about 1070, Barnet in 1197, and La Barnette in 1248, is derived from Old English bærnet : "the land cleared by burning". It refers to
273-526: A 3–1 victory away at York City . Despite this strong start, Wycombe went through a bad period soon after and for a while sat just above the relegation zone in League Two . On 22 September 2012, after Wycombe's third successive defeat, Waddock was sacked as manager with immediate effect. Former club captain, Gareth Ainsworth was immediately named as the caretaker manager in Waddock's absence. Just over
364-716: A charter for a market at Barnet to the Lord of the Manor, the Abbot of St. Albans, John de Cella. Chipping Barnet was historically a civil parish of Hertfordshire and formed part of the Barnet Urban District from 1894. The parish was abolished in 1965 and the Chipping Barnet section of its former area was transferred from Hertfordshire to Greater London and the newly created London Borough of Barnet. In 1801
455-662: A consequence crowds at Loakes Park dropped to record lows and the club decided to accept promotion to the Gola League in 1985, having finished third in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club's first season in a national league ended in disappointment, with the Wanderers relegated on goal difference. They soon returned after romping to an eighth Isthmian League title in 1987 after a battle with Yeovil Town . The club consolidated their place in
546-432: A finishing position of 4th, setting up a play-off fixture against Plymouth Argyle . The play-off final took place on 23 May and within five seconds of kick-off Wycombe midfielder Sam Saunders pulled his calf muscle and had to be substituted for Matt Bloomfield in the fourth minute. During the regular 90 minutes both teams had a goal disallowed, but neither managed to score. Four minutes into extra time Wycombe were awarded
637-569: A free kick just outside the Southend penalty area. Joe Jacobson took the free kick and the ball rebounded off keeper Dan Bentley and into the net. Southend continued to put pressure on Wycombe until Joe Pigott scored in the 122nd minute to tie the game at 1–1 and send it to a penalty shoot out. Southend won the shoot out 7–6 when Sam Wood 's effort was saved by Bentley. In the 2017–18 season , Exeter and Notts County both losing respectively combined with Wycombe winning their penultimate game of
728-671: A margin of one point and an inferior goal difference to Derby County . After Derby County, previously accused of breaching financial fair play regulations, went into administration in September 2021, Wycombe considered legal action to recoup potential losses of up to £20m. Gareth Ainsworth departed for Queens Park Rangers in February 2023. The club quickly sought a replacement in former Wycombe club captain Matt Bloomfield from Colchester United . Ainsworth's departure marked
819-514: A month later, on 8 November 2012, Ainsworth was named as Wycombe's permanent manager. He signed a contract, lasting for the rest of the season. Ainsworth revitalised the squad and the club as a whole, and steered Wycombe safely away from the relegation threat. Wycombe eventually ended the season in 15th place, nine points clear of relegation. At the end of the season, Wycombe's player-manager Gareth Ainsworth announced his retirement from professional football (after an 18-year career), although he signed
910-482: A new two-year contract as Wycombe manager. At the start of the final day of the 2013–14 season , Wycombe were three points adrift of safety in the relegation zone of League Two . However, after a 3–0 win away at Torquay , and Bristol Rovers losing to Mansfield Town , Wycombe finished in 22nd place, above Bristol on goal difference , to remain in the Football League . Following the near-relegation of
1001-746: A now disused well that was frequented by, among others, Samuel Pepys , and many restaurants and public houses . Local festivals include the traditional annual Barnet Fair , which was chartered in Medieval times, the High Barnet Chamber Music Festival, and Barnet Medieval Festival. The principal local newspapers are The Barnet and Potters Bar Times and The Barnet Post , which was established in July 2021. The Barnet Press operated until 2017. The Barnet Society also frequently publishes articles on local news as well as
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#17327825048061092-477: A quarter-final with Premiership outfit Leicester City . Striker Roy Essandoh headed an injury-time winner to seal a 2–1 win for the Wanderers at Filbert Street . The semi-final at Villa Park saw Wycombe face Liverpool , and goals from Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler put the Premiership side up 2–0. A last ditch effort from club mainstay Keith Ryan gave some hope to the Wanderers, but they would exit
1183-578: A quarterly newsletter. Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Wycombe Wanderers Football Club ( / ˈ w ɪ k əm / ) is a professional association football club based in the town of High Wycombe , Buckinghamshire , England. The team competes in League One , the third level of the English football league system . Founded in 1887, they entered the Southern League in 1896. They switched to
1274-548: A sense of purpose. The Wanderers rejected the invitation to join the Alliance Premier League on its formation in 1979 and again in 1981 with concern over the increased travelling costs. The club reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy for the first time in 1982 but lost out to Altrincham . A seventh Isthmian League title was won in 1983 but promotion to the Alliance Premier League was again turned down. As
1365-490: Is a curacy , held with the rectory of East Barnet till the death of the last incumbent in 1866, when the livings were separated. The parish of Chipping Barnet, served by St John's Church, was provided with a chapel-of-ease in Victorian times; subsequently Chipping Barnet parish was split in two, and the chapel-of-ease (on Bells Hill, Barnet) raised to the status of a parish church, dedicated to St Stephen. Chipping Barnet
1456-604: Is a suburban market town in north London , forming part of the London Borough of Barnet , England. It is a suburban development built around a 12th-century settlement, and is located 10 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (17 km) north-northwest of Charing Cross , 3 miles (4.8 km) east from Borehamwood , 5.2 miles (8.4 km) west from Enfield and 3.2 miles (5.1 km) south from Potters Bar . Its population, including its localities East Barnet , New Barnet , Hadley Wood , Monken Hadley , Cockfosters and Arkley ,
1547-417: Is a landmark for miles around and stands in what was the centre of the town. It was erected by John de la Moote, abbot of St Albans , about 1400, the architect being Beauchamp. Playing on its antiquity, it continues to call itself "Barnet Church", although this is not an official title. It is in fact the parish church of Chipping Barnet only, whilst Christ Church is the parish church of High Barnet, St Mark's
1638-760: Is a local athletics club. Barnet and Old Elizabethans rugby clubs merged to form Barnet Elizabethans RFC, playing in Byng Road, Barnet, near Queen Elizabeth's School. Chipping Barnet has a King George's Field in memorial to King George V . Old Court House Recreation Ground is a park in High Barnet. High Barnet has an Everyman cinema, the Barnet Museum , the All Saints Art Centre, the Ravenscroft local park and Barnet recreational park,
1729-525: Is currently owned by Imperial College of London . On 10 June, Wycombe have agreed to Lease the ground to use for the rebuilding of the academy and the use for the First Team. As a non-League club, Slough Town were considered Wycombe's fiercest local rivals. A rivalry with the more distant Colchester United also exists due to the two clubs battling to win promotion to the Football League in
1820-583: Is designated as a Neighbourhood Centre in the London Plan . The tower of Barnet parish church – St John the Baptist – at the top of Barnet Hill claims to be the highest point between itself and the Ural Mountains 2,000 miles (3,200 km) to the east. However, the same has been said of numerous other points. Since the opening of the railway, development has increased considerably, especially in
1911-614: Is highly likely the club was named Wanderers after the famous Wanderers , winners of the first FA Cup in 1872. The club played friendly matches between 1887 and 1896. It first entered the FA Amateur Cup in 1894 and the FA Cup in 1895. In 1895 the club moved to Loakes Park , which would become its home for the next 95 years. In 1896 the club joined the Southern League and competed in the Second Division until 1908. In
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#17327825048062002-548: Is outlined in a photo of him rejecting a handshake from Gareth Ainsworth. It was ignited in the 2014–15 League Two Playoffs and flared up in January 2016, where Barry Richardson , who was 46 years old at the time, played a professional game for the first time since 2005, coming on for an injured Alex Lynch and keeping a clean sheet, prompting the Plymouth Argyle Twitter Admin to respond negatively to
2093-750: Is provided by the Metropolitan Police Service . Statutory emergency fire service is provided by the London Fire Brigade , which has a station on Station Road, built in 1992. Barnet FC is the local football team, currently in the Vanarama National League , the fifth tier of English football – at the end of the 2017/18 season Barnet were relegated from League Two, and have remained in the Vanarama National League since. They played at
2184-580: Is the parish church of Barnet Vale, St James's is the parish church of New Barnet , and Holy Trinity is the parish church of the Lyonsdown district. In addition, St Mary the Virgin is the parish church of East Barnet and St John of Friern Barnet . The parish church of St Mary the Virgin , Monken Hadley (rebuilt 1494) also has parish boundaries that include a significant part of High Barnet, including much of Barnet High Street. The living of Barnet
2275-613: The A1 , runs to the west of the town along Barnet Bypass. High Barnet Underground station is on the Northern line while New Barnet railway station is on the East Coast Main Line served by services from King's Cross and Moorgate to Welwyn Garden City . Totteridge and Whetstone Underground station serves the affluent areas bearing the same name southwest of High Barnet town centre. Oakleigh Park railway station serves
2366-634: The EFL Championship for the first time in the club's history. The 2020–21 Championship season was a learning experience for everyone involved with the club. With all but three of the 46 League matches being played behind closed doors due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic , Wycombe struggled in the early stages, failing to register a point in their first seven League outings, and failing to score in their first four. An improved run of form, which included back-to-back wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City , lifted Wycombe to 22nd in
2457-863: The Great Western Suburban League in 1908 and then the Spartan League in 1919, before joining the Isthmian League after winning the Spartan League in 1919–20 and 1920–21. They spent 64 years in the Isthmian League, winning eight league titles and one FA Amateur Cup title. Having rejected numerous invitations to join the Alliance Premier League (now National League) , they finally accepted an offer in 1985 and eventually found success in
2548-579: The Third Division via the play-offs in 1994 . They spent a decade in the third tier and reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2001, though were relegated three years later. They also reached the League Cup semi-finals in 2007 and then gained promotion out of League Two in 2008–09. This was the first of four successive seasons of promotions and relegations between League Two and League One , which
2639-681: The Underhill Stadium until 2012/13 but from the 2013/14 season are playing at The Hive Stadium in Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow . They first reached the Football League in 1991 as champions of the GM Vauxhall Conference but lost their status 10 years later with relegation, only to return four years later – again as Conference champions. London Lions F.C. is also based in Barnet, near Stirling Corner, but
2730-474: The 1st team plays midweek and some cup home games at Hemel Hempstead Town F.C. as its own ground is not floodlit and does not meet the requirements for some cup competitions. There are a number of amateur football clubs based in Barnet including East Barnet Old Grammarians and Ravenscroft Old Boys. Barnet Cricket Club and Old Elizabethans' Cricket Club have merged to form one club in Barnet and currently play their games at Gypsy Corner. Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers
2821-619: The Championship. They play their home matches at Adams Park , located on the western outskirts of High Wycombe. The exact details of the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. have largely been lost to history. A group of young furniture trade workers started a team to play matches which led to a meeting, held at the Steam Engine public house in Station Road, High Wycombe in 1887 which saw the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. It
Underhill Stadium - Misplaced Pages Continue
2912-621: The First World War, the club reverted to the name Barnet FC, which continues today. To celebrate the 100th year of football at the stadium, the two sides met again in the 2007–08 Pre-season. Palace won this match 3–2. Since the beginning of the 2013–14 season Barnet have played their home games at The Hive Stadium . In 2014, the Super League rugby league team London Broncos trained at Underhill and their gym and offices were based there. Their Under-19s side also played matches at
3003-448: The Football League. In July 2011, after much argument and debate, Wycombe District Council announced that work on the community stadium proposed at Wycombe Air Park would stop. Wycombe Wanderers kicked off their 2011–12 League One season on 6 August 2011, with a 1–1 draw against Scunthorpe United at home. However, Wycombe were relegated back to League Two on 28 April 2012, after a 4–3 home defeat to Notts County . On 30 June 2012,
3094-675: The North East Family Stand with covered seating for away supporters. The tiny North Terrace backed onto Westcombe Drive, where residents could watch the action. The Main Stand was flanked by two smaller stands, the North West Terrace and Family Stand. After a matchday incident on the East Terrace, the club acted to increase the distance between home and away supporters. Away fans were segregated further towards
3185-511: The Sands area of High Wycombe . The stadium was named Adams Park in honour of benefactor and former captain Frank Adams. The club has played at the stadium since 1990; the move from its previous ground Loakes Park was financed almost solely by the sale of Loakes Park to the health authorities in order to facilitate the expansion of Wycombe Hospital . During the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons,
3276-624: The Second Division at the end of 03–04, finishing bottom of the league and suffering relegation to the Third Division, then renamed as the Coca-Cola League Two . At the time, the Wanderers were English football's last professional members' club, but at an extraordinary general meeting in July 2004, the members voted by a narrow margin to restructure the club as a Public Limited Company . Chairman Ivor Beeks, Director Brian Kane and sponsor Steve Hayes all subsequently invested in
3367-409: The Spartan League and made 331 appearances for the Wanderers, scoring 104 goals, made arguably his greatest contribution when he gave Loakes Park to the club. It provided the basis for a period of unprecedented success in 1950s. The club appointed Sid Cann as coach in 1952 and he led the Wanderers to their first Isthmian League title in 1956. The title was successfully defended the following season, and
3458-478: The Wanderers to a third Isthmian League title in 1971 and it was again defended successfully in 1972. The club suffered yet more FA Amateur Cup disappointment at the semi-final stage, losing 2–1 to Hendon at Griffin Park , Brentford . A fifth Isthmian League title was won in 1974 and the following season it was defended yet again, this time by the narrowest of margins, a superior goal difference of 0–1 to Enfield. In
3549-611: The Wanderers to unprecedented success. The club moved to its new Adams Park home in 1990, and in May 1991, the Blues defeated Kidderminster Harriers 2–1 in the final of the FA Trophy in front of a then-record crowd. The club narrowly missed out on promotion to the Football League the following season, finishing level on 94 points with Colchester United , but placing second in the league on goal difference. The club recovered to become only
3640-599: The Wycombe Wanderers Trust (Supporter owned) formally took over the club. This financial stabilisation ended a transfer embargo. Gary Waddock took advantage of this immediately and signed several new players for the 2012–13 season . The season also included their 125th anniversary, and the shirt design was an adaptation of their first-ever kit, in Oxford and Cambridge Blue halves (instead of quarters). Wycombe kicked off their new season in League Two with
3731-567: The clearing of land in an area that was once densely forested. In Saxon times the site was part of an extensive wood called Southaw, belonging to the Abbey of St Albans. Barnet's elevated position is indicated in one of its alternative names ("High Barnet"), which appears in many old books and maps, and which the Great Northern Railway company adopted for the railway station opened in 1872 (now High Barnet tube station ). The area
Underhill Stadium - Misplaced Pages Continue
3822-665: The club also reached Wembley for the first time in their history. They were beaten 3–1 by Bishop Auckland in the final of the FA Amateur Cup in April 1957. Their North-East rivals were something of a nemesis having also beaten the Chairboys at the semi-final stage in both 1950 and 1955. The second round proper of the FA Cup was reached in December 1959 when the club was defeated 5–1 by Watford at Vicarage Road . The stars of
3913-416: The club's application to join the Isthmian League was accepted. The club remained a member of the Isthmian League until 1985, when they finally accepted promotion to the Alliance Premier League . For over sixty years the Wanderers sought to be the greatest amateur club in the country. One of the club's greatest achievements came in April 1931 when it won the FA Amateur Cup. The Wanderers beat Hayes 1–0 in
4004-569: The club, with an approximate total value of £750,000. Adams remained in the manager's job for just a year, resigning in November 2004, and John Gorman was appointed as his successor. His tenure saw a record of 21 league games unbeaten at the start of the 2005–06 season. A double tragedy would soon hit the club, however, with midfielder Mark Philo killed in a road accident in January 2006 and Gorman's wife Myra dying of cancer in March. Subsequently,
4095-401: The competition after succumbing to a 2–1 defeat. Despite cup success, the club's league form continued to struggle, as they finished 13th in the Second Division in 00–01. As bottom half finishes continued, Sanchez was eventually sacked in September 2003 after the club ended the previous campaign in 18th. His successor Tony Adams failed to turn things around, and Wycombe ended a 10-year stay in
4186-496: The conclusion of the season, the club announced that ownership of Feliciana EFL Ltd, the company owning 90% of the club, had transferred to Blue Ocean Partners II Ltd, owned by Kazakhstani-Georgian billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze . Source: Wycombe Wanderers at the Football Club History Database Wycombe's stadium is known as Adams Park , and is located on the edge of an industrial estate in
4277-455: The early 1990s, which recently got more traction due to Wycombe's Matt Bloomfield starting his managerial career at Colchester, then moving to Wycombe mid-season, this despite the two teams not being in the same league since 2018. Since becoming a Football League club, the Chairboys have also built on and off rivalries with neighbouring clubs Oxford United (M40 Derby), Milton Keynes Dons (Buckinghamshire Derby), Luton Town , and Reading , with
4368-648: The eastern extremity of the town. The Barnet Tunnel is also in the area. Barnet is served by Barnet Hospital , which is run by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust as part of the English National Health Service . There is also an NHS clinic in Vale Drive (near Barnet Hill and High Barnet station). London Ambulance Service responds to medical emergencies in Barnet. Home Office policing
4459-517: The end of 10 years at the club which included of a period of unprecedented success for the club. During his time he took the club from the bottom of League Two to the Championship for the first time in their history. In the 2023–24 season, Wycombe reached the EFL Trophy final for the first time in the club's history. In the final , Wycombe lost 2–1 to Peterborough United . Following
4550-401: The fifth tier of English football under the management of Martin O'Neill , winning promotion into the Football League as Football Conference champions in 1992–93. They also lifted the FA Trophy in 1991 and 1993, and won the Conference League Cup , Conference Shield (three times) and Conference Charity Shield. Wycombe made an immediate impact in the Football League, winning promotion out of
4641-405: The final at Highbury , home of Arsenal . The club also reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in November 1932, losing to Gillingham in a replay at Loakes Park. The club remained active during the Second World War , competing in the Great Western Combination , which was won in 1945. In 1947 Frank Adams, who had captained the club to its double Championship victories in
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#17327825048064732-520: The fourth tier. Lawrie Sanchez was appointed his successor and tasked with keeping the club in the Second Division. Safety was secured on the final day of the season when Paul Emblen headed home the winner seven minutes from time to beat Lincoln City 1–0. In tribute to this result, the club acquired a new mascot, in the form of the Wycombe Comanche. In 2000–01, Wycombe began a successful FA Cup run, with wins over First Division sides Grimsby Town , Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wimbledon taking them to
4823-471: The ground and started their 2013–14 season campaign at The Hive Stadium in Edgware . Demolition of Underhill began in January 2018. The ground was opened in September 1907 with a match against Crystal Palace which the home side won 1–0. At the time, there were a number of amateur clubs playing in Barnet. When opened, the ground was home to Barnet Alston. Alston merged with Avenue FC (who were known as Barnet FC) in 1912 to become Barnet & Alston FC. After
4914-415: The ground, the Pavilion behind the South Stand was owned by the club and acted as the social club for fans. The record attendance at Underhill was 11,026 against Wycombe Wanderers on 23 February 1952 for an Amateur cup tie. 51°38′46.17″N 0°11′30.24″W / 51.6461583°N 0.1917333°W / 51.6461583; -0.1917333 Chipping Barnet Chipping Barnet or High Barnet
5005-450: The most important battles of the Wars of the Roses . Barnet Fair is a well-known horse fair dating back to 1588, which takes place each September. Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to the Lord of the Manor of Barnet to hold a twice yearly fair. The fair gives its name to the rhyming slang of Barnet Fair or barnet for "hair". The famous Barnet Market is now (2024) nearly 825 years old. On 23 August 1199 King John issued
5096-413: The newly named GM Vauxhall Conference and under manager Jim Kelman they finished in fourth place in 1989. The following season would be the club's last at their Loakes Park home. It was a disappointing season on the field with Kelman being asked to resign following an ignominious defeat to the Metropolitan Police in the FA Trophy. The club appointed Martin O'Neill as his successor and he went on to lead
5187-473: The north of the terrace. When away support was expected to number over 500, the whole of the North-East section was opened, and the Central section closed to enforce the new segregation arrangements. The situation further highlighted the inadequacy of Underhill as a Football League stadium, even though it met league criteria. In the South-West Corner of the ground stood the Durham Suite, named after Bees midfielder Kevin Durham who died in 1991. Although not part of
5278-412: The opening pre-season game of the 2010–2011 season against Arsenal and the stadium capacity was again increased to 6,023 as a result. Underhill had seven stands. On the bottom end of the ground was the South Stand; the East Terrace was split into three sections, with the home fans allocated the two southernmost parts and the remaining section allocated to away supporters. Adjacent to the East Terrace stood
5369-405: The parish had a population of 1,258 and covered an area of 1,440 acres (5.8 km ). By 1901 the parish was reduced to 380 acres (1.5 km ) and had a population of 2,893. In 1951 the population was 7,062. Barnet belonged to the County of Hertfordshire until 1965, when under the London Government Act 1963 , East Barnet Urban District and Barnet Urban District were abolished and their area
5460-853: The playing style, with most Wycombe fans proclaiming 30 January 2016 as "Barry Richardson Day" The club's average home league attendances since 1980–81 (* = approximate figure, ^ = season curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (18 home games), ¬ = limited spectator attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic (2 home games)). Averages have been calculated from referenced sources. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. The club's first full-time coach, James McCormick ,
5551-449: The population, and all black groups made up 3%. The whole town is defined as the Chipping Barnet parliamentary constituency, which takes up the eastern third of the wider borough. This data does not represent the town as a whole due to the fact that it contains six other wards. Barnet Hill is a major hill on the historic Great North Road. In coaching days, 150 stagecoaches passed through Barnet daily. The modern Great North Road replacement,
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#17327825048065642-464: The previous season, Gareth Ainsworth released seven players from the club, including defender Leon Johnson who had made 200 appearances in 7 years. During the summer break, Ainsworth rebuilt his squad, with the addition of Paul Hayes for a second spell at the club. The 2014–15 season saw the club spend the majority of the season in the automatic promotion places. However, two costly home defeats to Morecambe and local rivals Oxford United led to
5733-430: The quarter-finals. This bought them to a semi-final with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea . The Wanderers drew the first leg 1–1 at Adams Park, with Jermaine Easter scoring a late equaliser after a first half goal from Wayne Bridge . The second leg at Stamford Bridge was a different story, as doubles from both Andriy Shevchenko and Frank Lampard saw Wycombe lose 4–0 and exit the competition. Again, however,
5824-424: The rivalry with Reading gaining more traction due to Wycombe's enquiry on Reading's current training ground, Bearwood Park, coming one week after Wycombe beat Reading 2-1 in March 2024, with Reading fans protesting at Adams Park a few days after. They also had a small yet well-documented rivalry with Plymouth Argyle , which stemmed from Plymouth's former manager Derek Adams having a vocal dislike for Wycombe which
5915-400: The same season the club created history by reaching the third round proper of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 1–0 to First Division Middlesbrough in a replay at Ayresome Park having drawn 0–0 at Loakes Park. Lee retired as manager in 1976 and again the Wanderers suffered a decline. A significant factor was the abolition of amateur football by the FA in 1974 which left the club without
6006-435: The season ensured promotion to EFL League One , joining Luton Town and EFL League Two champions Accrington Stanley . In the 2019–20 season , Wycombe finished 3rd in League One on points per game due to the impact of COVID-19 . They won the play-off semi final 6–3 on aggregate, against Fleetwood Town , then, on 13 July beat Oxford United 2–1 in the final, at an empty Wembley Stadium, to ensure that Wycombe would play in
6097-407: The side's league form would suffer, and a number of changes were made to the squad and staff in the summer of 2007. They reached the League Two play-offs in 2008 but were knocked out 2–1 on aggregate by Stockport County . Lambert resigned shortly afterwards. Peter Taylor was appointed as his successor in May 2008 and he led the side to another lengthy unbeaten start which lasted 18 games. The side
6188-437: The site of the Wycombe Air Park . Taylor was sacked in October 2009 after a poor start to the season, and was replaced by Gary Waddock who was unable to save the club from relegation back to League Two . Waddock did however guide the Wanderers straight back to League One at the first attempt. He led the side to a third-place finish, and achieved a points total of 80, the highest the club had recorded since its promotion to
6279-415: The site of the Ark Pioneer Academy, which opened in 2019. The stadium was famous for its slope from the North to South end. Barnet played their final game at the stadium on 20 April 2013 with a 1–0 win over Wycombe Wanderers , with Jake Hyde scoring the winner in the 81st minute, and Graham Stack saving a 94th-minute penalty to secure the victory in front of a sell-out crowd of 6,001. Barnet moved out of
6370-430: The stadium not accounted for above. The main supporters' bars at the stadium are the Woodlands Lounge, the Caledonian Suite (formerly the Vere Suite), and Monty's (formerly the Centre Spot, then Scores). The new club shop was built in 2006, replacing the portable buildings that previously served as the shop; it was reconfigured in 2015 along with the main reception area, and again in 2020. Wycombe Wanderers also shared
6461-409: The stadium was known as "The Causeway Stadium" for sponsorship reasons. The stadium has a current capacity of 9,558 with four stands. The original seated Main Stand (Origin Stand) is on the north side of the stadium, with a capacity of 1,248. The largest stand in the stadium is the Woodlands Stand on the south side of the ground, which was built in 1996, replacing a covered terrace. It has three tiers;
6552-569: The stadium with Aviva Premiership Rugby Union team Wasps (then known as London Wasps) between 2002 and 2014. Wycombe have two Training Facilities in use. One is Marlow Road in High Wycombe, Wycombe sold Marlow Road in March 2013, in which it was leased back to Wycombe and they have been paying rent. The Other being Harlington Sport Ground at Harlington , in West London. This being the former training ground of QPR and Chelsea and
6643-559: The stadium, on the east side, is the Hillbottom Stand (WhiffAway Stand) with a usable capacity of 1,866 (although the physical seating capacity is actually 2,057). This stand was rebuilt in 2001, almost doubling its previous size. The stadium also has one terrace, on the west side, which is the Valley Terrace (Beechdean Terrace). This is the home supporters' end, with a capacity of 1,430. In addition, there are 35 places in
6734-584: The stadium. Edgware Town played their opening games of the 2014–15 Spartan South Midlands League season at Underhill, while their Silver Jubilee Park ground was refurbished. In June 2015 the site was sold to the Education Funding Agency . Demolition work began in January 2018 to facilitate the building of the Ark Pioneer Academy, which opened in September 2019. Barnet opened the 1,016 seater South Stand in 2008 to replace
6825-414: The stand was adjacent to the away terraced section. These improvements finally brought Underhill to Football League standards and the capacity was increased to 5,568. The club announced that work was underway in order to erect four corner floodlights, to be 25 metres high and have a 500 Lux value as opposed to the previous 350. The eight old pylons dating from 1962 were removed. Work was completed prior to
6916-623: The summer of 1908 the club declined the invitation to retain their membership of the Southern League. The club decided to pursue amateur instead of professional football and joined the Great Western Suburban League and remained there until the outbreak of the First World War . After the hostilities had ended the club joined the Spartan League in 1919 and were Champions in successive years. In March 1921
7007-503: The table going into the Easter period, Wycombe's fortunes then began to turn around significantly, and they still had a theoretical outside chance of survival going into the final game away at Middlesbrough . A 3–0 win was not enough, but results elsewhere meant that Wycombe finished the season in 22nd place with 43 points, 16 of which had been gained from the final eight games. The club was therefore relegated back to League One , but only by
7098-597: The table, but three successive defeats in December saw the club drop to bottom position on the Saturday before Christmas. The indifferent form continued into the New Year, but a fourth round FA Cup tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur proved a welcome distraction, with Wycombe taking the lead through Fred Onyedinma in the first half, before the Premier League club found their form to win the tie 4–1. Still bottom of
7189-470: The team included winger Len Worley and striker Paul Bates. Cann left the club to join Norwich City in 1961 and the club's fortunes took something of a downturn during the 1960s. That changed in December 1968 when Brian Lee was appointed as the club's first conventional manager. He changed several aspects of the club including team selection, which up to that point had been chosen by committee. He led
7280-608: The team's form slipped and they fell from top spot to eventually finish in sixth place, still achieving a playoff spot. Cheltenham Town won the two-legged play-off semi-final 2–1 and Gorman was sacked in May 2006. Paul Lambert took over in June, and took the club on another ambitious cup run, this time to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup . Having previously never passed the second round, Wycombe defeated Fulham away, and knocked out then Premier League side Charlton Athletic in
7371-470: The temporary structure which had stood in its place for over ten years. The stand was first used for the FA Cup victory over Swindon Town in January 2008, just a matter of weeks after work had started. The Bees also erected a temporary covered structure in the North-East corner of the ground with seated capacity of 240. This was built so away supporters could have the choice between sitting or standing as
7462-447: The third in history to do the non-league double. The Wanderers claimed the 92–93 Conference title before winning the FA Trophy again, beating Runcorn 4–1 in the final at Wembley in May 1993. O'Neill rejected the chance to manage Nottingham Forest that summer, staying with Wycombe to lead the club to fourth in the Third Division and qualify for the play-offs in their inaugural season in the Football League. They beat Carlisle United in
7553-556: The two-legged semi-final, and beat Preston North End 4–2 in the final at Wembley in May 1994 to secure their second consecutive promotion, entering the Second Division (the third tier) for the first time in club history. In their first season in the Second Division, Wycombe finished sixth, but due to league re-organisation, missed out on a play-off place, and O'Neill left to become manager of First Division Norwich City in June 1995. Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Smith
7644-743: The upper tier is known as the Frank Adams Stand (like the stadium, named after former captain Frank Adams), with a capacity of 2,842; the middle tier contains 20 executive boxes, plus the Woodlands Lounge, and has a capacity of 360; the lower tier is the Family Stand, with a capacity of 1,777. The stand therefore has a total capacity of 4,979. At one end of the Family Stand are 60 so-called "2020" seats, which can be used by both seated and standing spectators. The away section of
7735-466: The west of the area near Arkley . For a London town, Barnet lies very high; the High Street is 427 feet (130 m) above sea level and the surrounding southern land no less than 295 feet (90 m). Chipping Barnet town centre is covered by the High Barnet ward. According to the 2011 census, the population was 82% white (68% White British, 11% Other White, 3% White Irish). Indians made up 4% of
7826-528: Was 47,359 in 2011. Its name is very often abbreviated to just Barnet , which is also the name of the borough of which it forms a part; the town has been part of Greater London since 1965 after the abolition of Barnet Urban District then in Hertfordshire . Chipping Barnet is also the name of the Parliamentary constituency covering the local area – the word "Chipping" denotes the presence of
7917-440: Was appointed as his successor, but was sacked in September 1996 as Wycombe struggled in the bottom half of the Second Division. John Gregory took over and managed to steer the club to safety on the penultimate weekend of the 96–97 season. He left to manage Aston Villa in February 1998 and youth team boss Neil Smillie was given the job. Smillie was sacked in January 1999 with the Wanderers looking destined for relegation back to
8008-408: Was followed by a decline that saw the club only avoid relegation into non-League on goal difference in 2014. The club secured promotion out of League Two in 2017–18 under the stewardship of Gareth Ainsworth , who then took the club to the Championship for the first time in the club's history with victory in the 2020 League One play-off final . However, they would be relegated in their first season in
8099-452: Was historically a common resting point on the traditional Great North Road between the City of London and York and Edinburgh . The Battle of Barnet in 1471 was fought at nearby Monken Hadley , where Yorkist troops led by King Edward IV killed the rebellious "Kingmaker" Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick , and Warwick's brother, John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu . This was one of
8190-413: Was nine points clear at the top at Christmas but results soon tailed off and the team eventually finished in the last automatic promotion place, ahead of Bury by virtue of a superior goal difference of just one. The summer of 2009 saw Steve Hayes become the first sole owner of the club, converting £3m of loans into equity. He also announced his intention to move the club into a community stadium based on
8281-476: Was transferred to Greater London to form part of the present-day London Borough of Barnet. At the beginning of the 21st century, a tongue-in-cheek movement calling for the name Barnet to be changed to "Barnét" began to gain the attention of the public and the national media, with many public road signs in the area regularly being altered to contain the accented character. St John the Baptist Church
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