Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe Wanderers
Wasps will continue to play at Wycombe's Causeway Stadium next season. The Zurich Premiership finalists have extended their groundshare with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. Last year, Wasps chairman Chris Wright said he was considering building a new stadium or returning to Loftus Road in order to accommodate more fans. But on Thursday, he said: "If we secure planning consent within an agreed time frame, our plan is to make the Causeway Stadium our permanent home." Wasps chief executive David Davies added: "Our long-term aim is to form a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Wycombe Wanderers FC, Wycombe Council and the local community." Captain Lawrence Dallaglio believes the decision can only be a positive for the club. "We are all delighted. If we are to move forward, having stability is very important," he said. "When the game went professional, Leicester were in the best position to take advantage of it. They had the best stadium, the biggest fan base, some of the best players. "They already had the necessary structure in place and that is why they were able to dominate the domestic game and European game. "It has taken a bit of time to close that gap, but we have. We have won four trophies there in two years and that says everything about what it means to the club. "To have a fantastic stadium to play in is important. It's worked well for us. It suits the style of rugby we try to play. Hopefully we can build towards increasing the capacity in the future."

Wycombe swoop for striker Griffin
Wycombe have beaten Mansfield and Darlington to the signing of Forest Green striker Charlie Griffin. The 25-year-old, who scored 17 goals last season for Rovers, has signed a two-year contract with Wanderers. Boss John Gorman said: "His goalscoring record has been exemplary and if he can do that for us I'll be well pleased." Meanwhile, on-loan Southampton defender Mike Williamson and midfielder Matt Bloomfield, both 21, have also signed two-year deals at the Causeway Stadium.

Striker Caceres leaves Wycombe
Wycombe striker Adrian Caceres has not been given a new deal after making just two appearances for the club. The former Yeovil striker joined the club on transfer deadline day last season to provide attacking options as the team aimed for the play-offs, However, despite some impressive displays in the reserves he had limited first team opportunities. Caceres has parted company with the club after one full and one second-half substitute appearance.

Oakes agrees transfer to Wycombe
Notts County midfielder Stefan Oakes, 26, has agreed to join Wycombe on a two-year contract when his Meadow Lane deal expires at the end of next month. "It's a major signing. I rate Stefan very highly," boss John Gorman said. "I've known him for years and noticed him when he was at Leicester City so it's great to have the opportunity to finally work with him. "He's a goalscoring midfielder and he could add something very special to our team," he told Wycombe's website.

Ryan extends his stay at Wycombe
Wycombe player-coach Keith Ryan has agreed a new one-year contract. The 34-year-old midfielder has been with the club for more than 15 years and joined the coaching staff when John Gorman became manager last November. Ryan has made more than 400 appearances for the club and Gorman told the club's official website: "He thoroughly deserves another playing contract. "He's still a very influential player for us and that was proved in his performances last season."

Wycombe complete Mooney transfer
Wycombe Wanderers boss John Gorman has signed Oxford striker Tommy Mooney, 33. Mooney, who was linked with Nottingham Forest, has agreed a two-year deal after rejecting the offer of a new contract at the Kassam Stadium. A delighted Gorman told the club's website: "He's been a prolific scorer in this league and the higher leagues. "He is a player I've always admired, he holds the ball up well and he'll give us that something we've not had. He is a great signing for the club."

Wanderers hopeful over Lee deal
Wycombe boss John Gorman is keen to keep Rob Lee at the Causeway Stadium. Lee, 39, joined Wanderers in March and played seven games during the season run-in. Gorman told the club's website: "It will all come down to finances - if he stays he'll have to miss his TV work which he does a lot of on a Saturday. "It's something that we've got to agree terms on but hopefully we'll be meeting with him later this week and we're hoping he'll stay."

Gorman welcomes swoop for Antwi
Wycombe boss John Gorman is encouraged by Aldershot defender Will Antwi's decision to move to the Causeway Stadium on a two-year contract. The ex-Crystal Palace player, 22, was transfer-listed last season but still helped the Shots to the play-offs - and will put pen to paper on Monday. Gorman told his club's website: "He had a number of clubs chasing him. "He's a big, strong lad and we think there's something there to make a really good player for the future." Antwi's departure from Aldershot follows that of 26-year-old defender Phil Warner, who left by mutual consent. The former Southampton, Cambridge United and Eastleigh full-back started 18 Conference games this season but ended the campaign on loan at Eastbourne Borough.

Gorman captures midfielder Betsy
Wycombe manager John Gorman has made midfielder Kevin Betsy his fifth new signing of the summer. Betsy has agreed a two-year deal at the Causeway Stadium after leaving Oldham, where he started 34 games last season. "He's a versatile midfielder who can perform in a number of roles," Gorman told his club's website. "At 27, I'm hoping he will bring more firepower to the midfield. I'm delighted to have signed such an experienced player." Betsy began his career at Woking before spells with Fulham, Barnsley and Hartlepool, while he has also served Bournemouth and Hull on loan.

Uhlenbeek ends time with Wycombe
Defender Gus Uhlenbeek has left Wycombe Wanderers after just one season at the Causeway Stadium after failing to agree a new deal with the club. The 34-year-old former Fulham and Ipswich man rejected manager John Gorman's offer of a one-year contract and is now searching for another club. Boss John Gorman told the club website: "Gus was always a pleasure to work with and we'll miss him. "He's been exemplary and a credit to the team his attitude is impressive."

Gorman still hopes Lee will stay
Manager John Gorman still hopes to persuade veteran midfielder Rob Lee to stay with Wycombe next season. The 39-year-old joined the Chairboys in March on a match-by-match contract, making seven appearances. Gorman told the club website: "Rob wants to stay - he's at an age now where he loves to play, but he's got to look at his career elsewhere. "When he came to us, he was involved in TV work, and that meant we had to cover him for that."

Gorman keen for Betsy to produce
Wycombe boss John Gorman is convinced he can get the best out of new signing Kevin Betsy. Betsy, 27, has failed to hold down a long-term regular first-team place at several clubs he has played for. Gorman told Wycombe's website: "He's had a few clubs so he's got to bed down and settle somewhere. "He's had a lot of potential and perhaps hasn't always fulfilled it. Hopefully with all the work we're going to do with him, he will do."

Wycombe swoop to sign Carruthers
Wycombe Wanderers have signed young left-back Chris Carruthers on a free transfer from Northampton Town. The 21-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Causeway Stadium and becomes Wanderers' sixth signing of the close season. Carruthers, who came through Town's youth set-up and played 94 first-team games for the Cobblers, had a year left on his contract at Sixfields. He had a short loan spell with Bristol Rovers at the end of last season.

Claridge appointed Millwall boss
Millwall have appointed former player Steve Claridge as their new manager. The 39-year-old, who played 101 games for the club in two spells, succeeds Dennis Wise, who resigned in May. "I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here previously and this is a challenge I just couldn't turn down. "Everyone at Millwall knows me and knows what to expect. I'm now looking forward to getting started," Claridge told the Lions' website. Claridge ended last season at Wycombe, where he had discussed signing a new one-year contract. It was his 13th league club in a career spanning more than 20 years. His first foray into management was a short stint at Portsmouth from October 2000 to Ferbuary 2001. It ended in acrimony when Graham Rix was appointed - with Claridge claiming he was kept in the dark. In between further playing spells, he had just over a year in charge at non-league Weymouth, but that also ended on a sour note when he was sacked last October. Millwall chairman Jeff Burnige also spoke to former Derby boss George Burley and ex-Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence was also linked with the post. But he insisted the much-travelled striker was his first choice. "Steve fulfills the criteria I was looking for in a manager and is the only candidate to whom I offered the job," Burnige said. "He has previous managerial experience and a wide knowledge of this division. "The clinching factor for me, however, was his burning desire to manage Millwall. Steve has a passion for this club that the supporters can identify with."

Palmer set to seal double swoop
Mansfield boss Carlton Palmer is set to sign defender Gus Uhlenbeek and Wales Under-21 striker Adam Birchall, reports BBC Radio Nottingham. Uhlenbeek, 34, is a free agent after leaving Wycombe, while Arsenal released 20-year-old Birchall last month. But goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington, 31, who has made nearly 200 appearances in five years at Field Mill, is set to leave after rejecting a new deal. He captained the Stags team which reached the play-off final in 2004.

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