Luke O’Nien and Gareth Ainsworth have spoken of the positive impact visiting military personnel at a defence academy last Thursday has had on the Wanderers squad.

The day, which was entitled ‘Leadership and Realities of Conflict Experience’, is the latest in a number of initiatives undertaken by Wycombe to both support and learn from those injured at war.

The players met a number of former servicemen who have been involved in conflict and who have lost limbs while in the field of duty.

While football cannot be compared with war O’Nien spoke of the inspiration he had taken from the people he met and how it helped him play through a dead-leg and score on Saturday.

“We went away on Thursday and talked about people who have gone to war and met some guys who had prosthetic legs or were missing limbs,” he said.

“They were pretty inspirational and it makes you realise if they can do that I am lucky and have no problem playing through a little knock.”

The day involved a talk from former Corporal Andy Reid who spoke of the challenges he has faced after losing both legs and an arm from a landmine explosion in Helmand Province six years ago.

Players also took part in a question and answers session with four decorated war veterans and also gained hands on experience of using army equipment.

The day, which was set up by Lieutenant Jon Stott of the British Army, came at the end of a week in which Wanderers had been helping raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Ainsworth himself dedicated the win against Mansfield on Saturday to the people the players had met on Thursday.

He said: “After Thursday there are a couple of big fans who we met from the armed forces and a couple of amputees who I am sure we have put some big smiles on the faces of.”

The manager has a history of supporting the armed forces and was involved in the unveiling of a memorial for the Footballers’ Battalion in France in 2010.

He is a firm believer in the club’s responsibility to not only educate players as footballers but also to make sure they are well informed off of the pitch, and views days like Thursday as the ideal way to do so.

“Educating players is a big part of what I am about and we try and broaden their horizons away from football a bit and make them realise life is not just about football,” Ainsworth explained.

“Speaking to a few veterans is a good way of doing that. It was a fantastic day and it’s important that we never forget what military people have done for us.

“It is pleasing to hear Luke O’Nien talking about the positive impact it had and he is a real bright kid with a bright future ahead of him.”