If you would have told me that nearly 2,000 people were going to attend a Wycombe Wanderers match, I would not have batted an eyelid.
But, if you would have told me that nearly 2,000 people were going to attend a Berks and Bucks match between the Chairboys and a Non League outfit at a neutral stadium in Oxfordshire, I would have questioned your statement.
Nearly 2,000 people for a Berks and Bucks game. Amazing stuff 🔵 @NonLeagueCrowd pic.twitter.com/Ol8b7j2uGe
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) February 15, 2022
Yet that is what happened on an amazing yet wet night at the ASM Stadium in Thame, as Wycombe defeated Long Crendon 4-0 at a packed-out ground in South Oxfordshire.
Despite going out of the competition, the tie will be one to remember for the Green and White army as 1,904 attended the match, making it their highest attended fixture in their 136-year history, smashing their previous record of around 800.
Al-Hamadi makes his Wycombe debut, as well as Young, Fischer and Dickinson. Burley and Leathers can play despite being out on loan, and it’s a proud day for the Trialist family 😏 #Chairboys @NonLeagueCrowd https://t.co/PYBDeH9KfE
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) February 15, 2022
The game itself saw fans of not just Crendon and Wycombe arrive, as there were supporters of Arsenal, Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Oxford United to name just a few wearing their team’s colours, whilst supporting a local game of football.
Notable attendees included Ollie Bayliss from the BBC Three Counties Show, ‘The Non League Show’, who told the BFP that the match felt like an 'FA Cup first round tie', along with Wanderers’ owner, Rob Couhig, who stood and spoke with supporters.
Brilliant night watching Long Crendon v Wycombe Wanderers in Thame.
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) February 15, 2022
Massively impressive crowd of around 1,800!
Wycombe won the Berks & Bucks Cup tie 4-0 to progress to the semi-final. pic.twitter.com/GbaRYHXqXH
Fans from both teams were singing, and even though goals from Ali Al-Hamadi, Jack Young, Olly Pendlebury and J.B Fischer sent Wanderers through to the semis, it was very much Long Crendon’s night.
READ MORE: Berks & Bucks Senior Cup draw confirmed - who did Wycombe get in the next round?
Speaking after the match, Mr Couhig said: “It was fantastic.
“It was great to see a great community come together to watch a sport that they love, and for us, it was good to see some of our youngsters out there and really play well.
“It shows that the players, coaches, and staff are really about building this sport within the community.
Love this ❤️ @GasmanCOTN 👏👏👏 I didn't know that about last 50 years for @wwfcofficial
— Carl Catling Media (@CatlingCarl) February 16, 2022
Makes this more incredible for @LongCrendonFC #football #nonleague #sports https://t.co/Gi7RodxnLb
“I am so proud of the players as they treated the game with so much respect, along with the players, and do you know who I am most proud of? Our staff.
Class pics guys @AylesNews 👏
— Carl Catling Media (@CatlingCarl) February 15, 2022
So glad you could be part of history tonight for @LongCrendonFC v @wwfcofficial ⚽ https://t.co/PqRls6DP9W
“If you talk to those at Long Crendon, they will tell you that our staff went out of their way to help them and if we can put some money into them, it’s good for us.
“What goes around comes around.
“I’m a believer in karma.
READ MORE: Around 1,000 tickets have been sold for Wycombe's Berks & Bucks quarter-final fixture
“We have been a very fortunate team and it doesn’t hurt to be friendly.
“I think people have got to know myself, Missy and Pete and we’re pretty friendly people and we’ve come into a pretty friendly club.
🏆 | Official attendance tonight was 1,904
— Berks & Bucks FA (@BerksandBucksFA) February 15, 2022
A fantastic turnout and a great show of support for both teams.
Thank you to both sets of supporters for coming out on a cold, wet Tuesday night and thank you to the team at the ASM for hosting.@LongCrendonFC @wwfcofficial
“It’s a natural mix and tonight has been a beautiful night.”
The club are still selling programmes for their bout against the Chairboys which are available to purchase.
To get your copy, go to http://longcrendonfc.co.uk/contact.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here