Looking back that was the real peak era of friendlies.
Villa with the likes of Southgate, Bosnich, Yorke, Collymore.
I got the first 2's autographs as a kid, gutted not to get Yorke's as he was rumoured to be off to United (and was after a long pursuit).
Friendlies now? Either you get a big team's kids as they're off on lucrative touts or you do what we do now with maybe 1 fairly uninspired home game and a string of non league aways some marked as development only.
Used to be a bit of a duty for Big clubs to give out these paydays and chances to meet heroes, and we'd do the same for your Amerhams and Cheshams and everyone would get a cheap day out in the sun.
It was worse than that - he was sold to West Ham, got horrifically homesick and moved to Swindon - Oxford's arch enemies. They forgave him eventually when he re-signed and remains one of their favourite sons. Tragic end though as he committed suicide last year after battling mental health issues for a long while.
Competitively I agree. HOWEVER they are a showcase for younger fans who might just get a taste and get hooked. Especially if you can play against a more glamorous team where there might be a chance of a kid to come along and see a superstar but actually realise that Josh Scowen is their future favourite.
My first game at Loakes Park was a showbiz 11 game features Robert Powell and Dennis Waterman (I think there was supposed to be a Goodie 😉). I was enraptured by football after that.
I love a decent pre season game. Summer evening, footie is back, old friends reacquainted, no pressure on the result, A Trialist making a familiar appearance. What’s not to like.
Some supposed Wycombe itk on twitter is reporting we are signing some Man City youngster on loan for the season... no idea how reliable he is... the poster that is !
However, given the calibre of the other teams that are allegedly interested, it seems pretty unlikely he'd pick us...I mean, we may be a more attractive destination than Wigan in that we're not (yet) a financial basket case, but otherwise...
I feel a bit sorry for Bolton as I thought he looked good when he played...only he seemed to get injured after about ten minutes and be off for a month or so.
I looked up a City youth game to get an idea of what kind of player he is and found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ybpABAV7U - however I got distracted watching Oscar Bobb who looks a hell of a player.
Comments
Looking back that was the real peak era of friendlies.
Villa with the likes of Southgate, Bosnich, Yorke, Collymore.
I got the first 2's autographs as a kid, gutted not to get Yorke's as he was rumoured to be off to United (and was after a long pursuit).
Friendlies now? Either you get a big team's kids as they're off on lucrative touts or you do what we do now with maybe 1 fairly uninspired home game and a string of non league aways some marked as development only.
Used to be a bit of a duty for Big clubs to give out these paydays and chances to meet heroes, and we'd do the same for your Amerhams and Cheshams and everyone would get a cheap day out in the sun.
Who was the first game at Adams Park? Forest? Or was that the last game at Loakes Park?
Pre-season friendlies are gash ™
We signed Nicky Smith from Colchester United only for him to change his mind a few days, week later, even appeared in the team photo.
Aye Forest. The next summer, or maybe even that summer, we play Spurs and Arsenal in preseason too. A different time!
It was worse than that - he was sold to West Ham, got horrifically homesick and moved to Swindon - Oxford's arch enemies. They forgave him eventually when he re-signed and remains one of their favourite sons. Tragic end though as he committed suicide last year after battling mental health issues for a long while.
Three more comments needed.
And for the 1000th…
Dave Tarpey?
That’s awful, I had no idea.
Competitively I agree. HOWEVER they are a showcase for younger fans who might just get a taste and get hooked. Especially if you can play against a more glamorous team where there might be a chance of a kid to come along and see a superstar but actually realise that Josh Scowen is their future favourite.
My first game at Loakes Park was a showbiz 11 game features Robert Powell and Dennis Waterman (I think there was supposed to be a Goodie 😉). I was enraptured by football after that.
I enjoyed the Leicester game...during which I thought Wakeley did very well....enough to get to go to Ebbsfleet anyway.
I had that poster on my wall, and I used a black marker pen to remove him from the squad line up
I had already reached adulthood by this point
Haha, amazing.
I love a decent pre season game. Summer evening, footie is back, old friends reacquainted, no pressure on the result, A Trialist making a familiar appearance. What’s not to like.
Some supposed Wycombe itk on twitter is reporting we are signing some Man City youngster on loan for the season... no idea how reliable he is... the poster that is !
Yeah, seems legit... https://twitter.com/media_wycombe/status/1676980915073941506?t=_nBd4C7hi_PyiR5G7Ft--g&s=19
'Are you not Whelmed???'
Well there is at least a second source saying we're in the running:
https://twitter.com/RealTolmie/status/1675098113193771008
However, given the calibre of the other teams that are allegedly interested, it seems pretty unlikely he'd pick us...I mean, we may be a more attractive destination than Wigan in that we're not (yet) a financial basket case, but otherwise...
Hope he's better than Luke Bolton, the last City loanee.
I feel a bit sorry for Bolton as I thought he looked good when he played...only he seemed to get injured after about ten minutes and be off for a month or so.
I looked up a City youth game to get an idea of what kind of player he is and found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ybpABAV7U - however I got distracted watching Oscar Bobb who looks a hell of a player.
Luke Bolton looked decent in the L2 play-offs recently...
Yes it was Forest but the ticket was for a double header with Southampton coming to AP in a mid-week fixture.
Breckinbauer would be a good foil to Scowen.
Likely to get plenty of game time which is less likely at the bigger clubs.
Any chance you can include brief details for those of us who cannot and have no desire to access the likes of Twitter, Facebook etc?
Alfie May signs for Charlton
After all that Gillingham stuff?!
He just realized Gillingham are not in our division, so he would not be able to torment us.