Supporters Trust can bring out Olympic spirit in Wanderers (From Bucks Free Press)

Supporters Trust can bring out Olympic spirit in Wanderers

1:20pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Andy Carswell

PLAYING heroes Keith Ryan and Keith Scott say Wanderers' return to being a supporter-run club can only be a good thing - while joint chairman Don Woodward is looking for some Olympic spirit to drive the club forward.

The Trust model served the club well in its rise through the divisions from their non-league days and the former players said going back to the old days is key to retaining Wanderers' identity.

Ryan, who played for the club for 16 years, said: "There's no question you have to have an identity. Wycombe Wanderers' identity back then was based hugely amongst the supporters, the local area and the community.

"The only way the club can survive is if everyone - players, staff, supporters - pulls together in the same direction to ensure a successful future. That's what we had in the non-league days.

"The people in charge at the moment are good for the football team."

Scott said: "By having that family orientation at a football club, both on and off the field it helps the club progress.

"If I went into the Vere suite and had a drink with the supporters, they understood you as a person. If you are having a rough time on the football field, they are more likely to get behind you. They realise you are a normal bloke doing something you like doing.

"It was very much a family atmosphere. There wasn't a them and us, we were all one. With the Trust taking over this year and trying to create that again, long term it can only be beneficial."

Joint chairman Woodward said feedback on the takeover had been nothing but positive - and is looking for more people to get involved in their football club.

He said: "I'm feeling it's a bit like the Olympics where you had all those volunteers. That made the Olympics what it was and I've got the feeling around Wycombe that's happening. If we can embrace that, it's going to be the club it's going to be

"The feel off the field from the supporters is that it's their club - they've got it back and they want to be part of it.

"I'm looking forward to engaging back with the supporters, getting people to realise this is their club, getting a few more bums on seats on Saturdays and a better atmosphere at Adams Park on a more regular basis."

He added: "It's what you make it - it's not what I make it, it's what you as supporters make it. Come and try it, come and see what we've done off the field, support the team on the field."

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