Meet the opposition | Wycombe Wanderers
As Swansea City prepare to take on Wycombe Wanderers at the Swansea.com Stadium on Wednesday evening, we take a closer look at the form and history of the Chairboys.
What’s their story?
Formed in 1887, Wycombe have spent the vast majority of their history outside of the football league, spending 64-consecutive years in the Isthmian League before accepting invitation to the Conference – after rejecting numerous previous invites – in 1987.
Martin O’Neill guided them to the Football League in 1993, and secured immediate promotion to the third tier a year later.
They were FA Cup semi-finalists in 2001 and League Cup semi-finalists in 2007, but survived relegation out of the Football League in 2014 before reviving their fortunes under Gareth Ainsworth.
The former QPR winger led them to promotion to the Championship via the play-offs in 2020.
An immediate relegation followed and they have been in the third tier since, always finishing in the top 10 in that time.
How's their form?
Wycombe have won two of their five games this season, beating Rotherham in their most recent league game at the weekend.
But two of their defeats have come in games where they have pushed Wrexham and Birmingham City, two teams many are tipping for promotion pushes, all the way in 3-2 losses.
They booked their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win at Northampton.
Who's the gaffer?
Matt Bloomfield. A club legend, Bloomfield returned to Adams Park as manager in February 2023 after spending five months in charge of Colchester United.
As a player, he racked up over 550 appearances for the Chairboys between 2003 and 2021 before moving into a coaching role.
During his playing days he was part of four separate promotion campaigns, and - as a manager - he led Wycombe to the EFL Trophy final last term.
Who's the captain?
Jack Grimmer. Now in his fifth season as a Chairboy, Scottish right-back Grimmer arrived at Adams Park in summer 2019, originally signing a two-year deal before extending hs contract following the club's promotion to the Championship.
Grimmer began his career at hometown club Aberdeen, before joining Fulham and subsequently spending time on loan at Port Vale and Shrewsbury.
In July 2017, Grimmer made a permanent move to Coventry City where he won promotion – scoring in the play-off final at Wembley – and earned a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.
After suffering from injury setbacks during the 2019-20 season, he fought back to play a key part in Wycombe’s play-off success.
Grimmer was a regular starter in the Championship and has remained a valuable part of the backline. He took over as club captain this summer.
Who are the key men?
Sam Vokes
Vokes joined the Chairboys in July 2021 from Stoke City, arriving with a wealth of experience - including on the international stage where his goal against Belgium sent Wales through to the 2016 European Championships semi-finals - and proved his worth with 17 goals in his first season.
The 34-year-old has made over 130 appearances for the Chairboys in all competitions, scoring 30 goals. Including two in four games at the start of this year's League One campaign.
Richard Kone
Richard Kone signed his first professional contract with the Blues in January 2024, having impressed on trial the previous summer.
He burst onto the scene with a goal on his first appearance against West Ham Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, and added three further strikes before also netting on the opening day of the 2024-25 campaign.
Daniel Udoh
Daniel Udoh joined the Wanderers on a free transfer after leaving Shrewsbury Town at the end of his contract in July 2024.
The 21-year-old has started every game of the 2024-25 season so far, scoring one goal, which came against Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup.