Wycombe Wanderers will rename its stadium for one weekend following the death of a young fan.
The home of the Chairboys will be referred to as Adam’s Park, rather than Adams Park, for when they take on M40 neighbours Oxford United on February 17, in honour of 17-year-old, Adam Ankers.
The teenager passed away earlier this month after suffering a cardiac arrest.
This was during one of the club’s under 19 fixtures, where he was also a member of the Wanderers Foundation.
🏟️ For one weekend only.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 14, 2024
Adams Park ➡️ Adam's Park
We're celebrating the life of Adam Ankers when we face Oxford United this Saturday, and are naming the stadium in his memory for this game.
Wycombe confirmed the news of the name change on February 14, after they received the blessing from the family of Frank Adams, whom the stadium was named after when it opened in 1990.
It is planned that the warm-up t-shirts and other items used from Saturday’s fixture against Oxford will be made available for fundraising purposes, through Wycombe Wanderers Foundation, to raise money for Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Harefield Hospital, which provided specialist medical care to Adam after he fell ill.
Adam’s family and team-mates from Henley College will be attending the fixture at Adam’s Park, and his family released the following statement: “His loss to the family is both shocking and devastating; he was so very loved and we will never forget what a bright light he was to us.
“His passion and talent were for sport and especially football; he was absolutely living his dream and had so much more potential.
“He represented his county in Athletics and was playing for Wycombe Wanderers Foundation U19 team when he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the game.
This is a fantastic gesture - what a wonderful thing to do.#Chairboys https://t.co/SOA564UUGV
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 14, 2024
“Despite the attempts by staff, Air Ambulance paramedics who were on the scene within minutes, and later specialist medical teams from the renowned Harefield’s Hospital, Adam’s injuries were not survivable; he passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family.
“We wish to extend our thanks to all those who came to Adam's help and the outstanding professionalism, care and compassion that they provided to him.
“We also add our thanks for the support provided to the family by Henley College, the Wycombe Wanderers Foundation and Wycombe Wanderers Football Club.”
A really fantastic gesture 💙🩵
— Matthew Bartlett (@mattbartlett75) February 14, 2024
The club have remained in close contact with the Ankers family and, with their wishes, will celebrate Adam’s life with a minute’s applause ahead of kick-off at the Oxford fixture.
During Wanderers’ previous home fixture against Peterborough United, a standing ovation was conducted in Adam’s memory in the 17th minute.
To read the full statement issued by Adam’s friends and family, go to www.wwfc.com/news/2024/february/14/its-adam-s-park/.
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