It’s been nearly five years since Wycombe Wanderers last travelled to the West Country to face Forest Green Rovers in a competitive match.
Taking place on New Year’s Day 2018, the Chairboys visited the New Lawn Stadium and defeated the Green Army 2-1, with Matt Bloomfield and Craig Mackail-Smith getting the goals in this League Two fixture.
Wanderers would go on to win promotion to League One that season, whilst Rovers finished in 21st place, two positions and one point above the drop zone in what was their first-ever campaign as a Football League team.
Now battling out in England’s third tier, let’s see where the Wycombe team from that day are now.
Starting 11
Scott Brown: The 37-year-old is now a player-coach at League One rivals, Exeter City. He played every league game for Wycombe during the 2017/18 season.
Ex Dons GK Scott Brown will be appearing as a drumstick sweet/ice lolly in goal for Wycombe next season pic.twitter.com/nRhB0bRMoA
— Aberdeen Changed (@AberdeenChanged) July 6, 2017
Joe Jacobson: Now the club-captain, Jacobson is in his ninth season at Adams Park.
Congratulations to Joe Jacobson for reaching the 3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ competitive appearance landmark for Wycombe Wanderers in the game at Milton Keynes.
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) May 8, 2022
Inspired signing, inspired character, can take corners 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/0Nak7RVCpl
Will De Havilland: One of 29 games for the club between 2016 and 2018, De Havilland now plays for Non League Maidenhead United.
Wycombe Wanderers have completed the double signing of goalkeeper Scott Brown and defender Will De Havilland #wwfc pic.twitter.com/y7JZ8IXIRr
— Transfer News Live (@LiveTransferNew) July 26, 2016
Dan Scarr: Scarr played 26 times for the Chairboys and scored one goal during his only year at Adams Park. He’s now in his second season at Plymouth Argyle.
Wycombe Wanderers have agreed a loan extension for defender Dan Scarr from Birmingham City until the end of the season. #Chairboys #bcfc pic.twitter.com/h4KMul5t0J
— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) December 11, 2017
Dom Gape: Gape is in his seventh season at Wycombe, and has so far played 199 games for the club. He scored the goal that sent Wanderers up that year.
Dominic Gape scored his first goal of the season for Wycombe yesterday....
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) April 29, 2018
I think it’s fair to say it was quite an important one.😛⚽️
Video: @wwfcofficial #wwfc @wycombe_fans @VitalWycombe @wwtrust @WycombeNews #chairboys @FBL72 @EFL @d3d4football @ChairboysForum @DomGape pic.twitter.com/fJRBOvYkmE
Sam Saunders: A fan favourite across his two spells at Wanderers, Saunders left the club in 2019 to join Colchester United. He’s now a player at Non League Hanwell Town, as well as being Brentford B’s assistant coach.
DONE DEAL: Sam Saunders has joined Wycombe Wanderers from Brentford on an 18-month contract. pic.twitter.com/xtj4bo5EAZ
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) January 20, 2017
Matt Bloomfield: One of Wanderers’ goalscorers that day, Mr Wycombe departed the club in September 2022 to take up his first managerial role at League Two Colchester United.
#Chairboys 1-0 Forest Green
— The Wycombe Way (@theWycombeWay) January 1, 2018
26' (Matt Bloomfield)
Luke O’Nien: Departed the Chairboys following their promotion in 2018 to sign for Sunderland. He’s now in his fifth season with the Black Cats.
Luke, the pleasure has been all ours.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) July 27, 2018
Today the club have agreed a deal with @SunderlandAFC for the sale of @LukeONien, with the transfer due to be finalised over the weekend.
Read more: https://t.co/Xgpxb3WhG9 pic.twitter.com/Nvkp2zOLLh
Nick Freeman: Now back in the frame following a lengthy period on the sidelines with an ACL injury. He’s played 22 games so far this season.
Nick Freeman
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) July 22, 2022
Signed for Wycombe Wanderers #OTD 22nd July 2016
Is the 2022/23 season his time at Adams Park 🤔 pic.twitter.com/WIKlWNJhnk
Adebayo Akinfenwa: Retired in May 2022 after 22 years as a professional footballer with two promotions under his belt with Wycombe. He’s now enjoying a career in the media.
GOAL WYCOMBE. Been coming, Forest Green are all over the place. Paris-Cowan-Hall sweeps in from Akinfenwa's knock-down. 1-0, 7 mins
— Matt Wright (@MattyWright86) September 2, 2017
Craig Mackail-Smith: A fan favourite, Mackail-Smith left the club in 2019 after two loan spells away with Notts County and Stevenage respectively.
FGR 0-2 Wycombe. Mackail Smith @ The New Lawn - Forest Green Rovers https://t.co/WsBEpGFZRf
— ⚽Russell Cox💙 (@RussWWFC) January 1, 2018
Used substitutes
Marcus Bean: The central midfielder came on after 53 minutes for Dom Gape. He retired from the sport in 2019.
#OTD Saturday 3rd February 2018
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) February 3, 2022
Wycombe Wanderers 4
Carlisle United 3
Marcus Bean winner 90+6
"Wycombe time" 😍pic.twitter.com/1JPEs9A3je
Eberechi Eze: Described by Gareth Ainsworth as the best player he’s managed in terms of ability at Wycombe, this was Eze’s final game for the club before returning to QPR following the conclusion of his six-month loan deal.
Ebere Eze returns to Wycombe!
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 27, 2022
For one night only.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/ZT38EW5IWH
Nathan Tyson: A journeyman, Tyson left Wycombe for the third time in 2019 to sign for Notts County. Now aged 40, he’s on the books at Non League Grantham Town.
Unused substitutes
Yves Ma-Kalambay: The goalkeeper hung up his gloves in 2019 and now works as a personal trainer.
Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay has signed a new deal with the club. #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/k1vRzkkJW9
— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) January 17, 2018
Jack Williams: Williams only played four times for Wanderers between 2017 and 2019. He’s now playing for Flint Town in the Non League.
OFFICIAL: Wycombe Wanderers have signed Jack Williams on a five-month loan deal from QPR. pic.twitter.com/T6jzzUOFuQ
— Transfer News Central (@TransferNewsCen) July 31, 2017
Dayle Southwell: Signed from Boston United, Southwell played 32 times for the Chairboys and score two goals. He’s now at Non League Alfreton Town.
With 54 goals in two seasons, here's your first summer signing! Welcome to striker @daylesouthwell. pic.twitter.com/89fCSm4MEA
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) June 21, 2016
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