Wycombe's Derrick Draffan dies of leukaemia

Derrick Draffan, who played for the Chairboys between 1955 to 1961, passed away at the beginning of May at his Little Kimble home aged 86, days after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

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During his six-year stay at Loakes Park, Draffan, who was a winger, only played 11 first-team games for Wycombe but was an influential player for the club’s reserve side, where he helped the Chairboys win the Isthmian League Reserve title in 1956.

Derrick Draffan with his teammates who won the Isthmian League Reserve title in 1955-56

Back (l-r): Jack Hathaway (Trainer), Ron Stagg, Ken Crook, Roly Kipping, Arthur Burgess, Dave Worley, Dave Twitchen and Bill Nobbs.

Front (l-r): Ray Howson, Frank Smith, Dennis Atkins, Derrick Draffan and Dennis Way. (Photo courtesy of Wycombe Wanderers)

He was then part of the team that saw Wycombe reach the 1957 FA Amateur Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

Unfortunately, the Chairboys lost to Bishop Auckland 3-1 in the final, which was the County Durham side's fourth consecutive FA Amateur Cup Final win.

Derrick leaves behind his daughter Nicola, his son Richard and four grandchildren – Genevieve, Richard, Sally and Mark – along with stepdaughter Pippa and her children Jax & Billy.

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His wife Jackie passed away in 2008 whilst his first, Shirley, died in July 2018.

The club have sent their condolences to Derrick’s family and due to the current coronavirus lockdown, only family will be able to attend the funeral when a date is decided.