One of the strangest rivalries in football could mean that Wycombe face a hostile reception when they visit Derby County’s Pride Park stadium on Saturday, September 17.
Most sporting conflicts involve clubs from the same city such as Liverpool and Everton or Rangers and Celtic, but this one is different.
Derby fan, Brian, says: “On behalf of Derby fans, I’d apologise to Wycombe and Middlesbrough.” #DCFC #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/n0RCAt8yBZ
— Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) January 28, 2022
Wycombe and Derby are separated by 140 miles, they have met only twice before, and when the Rams were winning league titles and playing in Europe 50 years ago, Wycombe were still a Non League club.
The answer to their mysterious rivalry lies in events that followed Wycombe’s relegation from the Championship in season 2020/21.
READ MORE: Why is this weekend's match between Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers unique?
The Chairboys finished the campaign just one point behind Derby, who avoided going down despite admitting breaches of financial regulations.
Another Derby fan, Ian, believes Wycombe should ‘stand down’ following on from what Gary Neville said last week. #DCFC #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/IItHjb9POe
— Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) January 28, 2022
They were punished by having points deducted, but the penalty was held over to the following season which was too late to save Wanderers.
Wycombe chairman Rob Couhig believed his club had a case for compensation and pursued a claim when Derby subsequently went into administration.
Derby fans took to social media to insist that Wycombe’s claim helped to deter potential buyers and left their club in danger of liquidation.
Derby fans complaining about the EFL, Middlesbrough and Wycombe saying they’re putting the final nails in the coffin but we wouldn’t be in a coffin if it wasn’t for Mel Morris! All anger should solely go to our ‘local boy’ who’s driven this club into the abyss! #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Paul Thornton © (@paulthornton88) January 14, 2022
However, the Rams was bought by a local businessman, and they exited administration, while Couhig has since revealed that his claim has been partially settled.
The whole episode left Derby fans holding a grudge against Wycombe, and they are expected to make their feelings known on Saturday.
Coincidentally, this will be a year to the day since the Rams announced they were entering administration.
They were relegated to League One last season and saw the departure of no fewer than 18 players, replaced by 16 new arrivals.
When asked if Wycombe are victims in this scenario, Derby fan, Paco, said that ‘he agreed’, whilst also criticising the EFL #Chairboys #DCFC pic.twitter.com/737zXrDnrI
— Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) January 28, 2022
Manager Wayne Rooney also left for MLS club D.C. United.
So, it will be a very different Derby to the one Wycombe faced at Pride Park in the Championship two years ago.
That finished 1-1 thanks to a late equaliser by Matt Bloomfield, his final goal as a Wanderers player.
Another Derby supporter, Michael, believes Wycombe are being used as a ‘scapegoat’ with what is going on. #DCFC #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/mzObAkzCqd
— Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) January 28, 2022
In the return fixture at Adams Park, Wanderers were unlucky to lose to a stoppage time goal after having a strike by Daryl Horgan incorrectly ruled out for offside.
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