Looking back at Wycombe's previous visits to Wembley Stadium

A David and Goliath battle if there ever was one, the Chairboys, who entered the Football League for the first time in 1993, will take on the six-time champions of England.

So as we prepare for the showpiece at the home of English football, let us look back at the six previous times the Chairboys walked out onto that Wembley pitch.

1. 1957 FA Amateur Cup final: Bishop Auckland 3-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe’s first-ever appearance at Wembley ended in defeat as they fell at the final hurdle to Bishop Auckland in the 1957 FA Amateur final.

This was Auckland’s third title in three seasons, and despite playing well in the showpiece, it just wouldn’t be Wanderers’ day at Wembley.

Thousands of people watched the match at Wembley

The North East side took the lead through Billy Russell’s 13th-minute goal, before Frank Smith equalized for the Chairboys just before half-time.

Despite the strong performance, Wanderers lost 3-1

However, Derek Lewin and Warren Bradley ended up sealing the win for Auckland.

It was the Chairboys’ second appearance in the final since they last won the competition in 1931.

A lot of action at the home of English football

They defeated Hayes 1-0 in the final which was played at Highbury, the former home of Arsenal.

2. 1991 FA Trophy final: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Kidderminster Harriers

The first of three Wembley appearances for Wycombe in the 1990s, the Chairboys travelled to North London to take on Kidderminster Harriers in that year’s FA Trophy final.

The piece of silverware that Wycombe won at Wembley (WWFC)

Glyn Creaser led out the Wycombe boys onto the hallowed turf in front of a bumper crowd of 34,842 spectators, with around 25,000 fans of them arriving from Buckinghamshire.

Keith Scott and Mark West got the goals that day as Wanderers secured their first FA Trophy win.

A day to remember who went to the game (WWFC)

The scenes a day saw thousands of fans descend into High Wycombe town centre to celebrate the win.

A brilliant way to start the Adams Park era (WWFC)

A brilliant start to the Adams Park era.

3. 1993 FA Trophy final: Wycombe Wanderers 4-1 Runcorn

More than 30,000 people arrived at Wembley Stadium to watch the Wanderers in action against Runcorn, as they entered the FA Trophy final for the second time in three years.

Another win for Wanderers at Wembley (WWFC)

Martin O'Neill's men were making themselves known in the football world with brilliant displays in the Non League and in the cups.

And 1993 not only saw Wycombe gain promotion into the Football League, but it also saw them win the FA Trophy for the second time.

The four goalscorers from the '93 final at Wembley (WWFC)

On the day, goals from Jason Cousins, Graham Hill, Steve Thompson, and Dave Carroll secured the cup for the Adams Park outfit as they added two more trophies to their cabinet in 1993.

Posing for a pic with the cup in '93 (WWFC)

4. 1994 Third Division (League Two) play-off final: Wycombe Wanderers 4-2 Preston North End

It was the Chairboys’ second promotion in two years as they entered the third tier of English football for the first time with a brilliant victory over Preston North End.

Three goals in five first-half minutes saw PNE take the lead through James Bryson before Steven Thompson equalised just 60 seconds later.

Moments before kick-off in 1994 (WWFC)

Paul Raynor gave Preston the lead again soon afterward to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Two promotions in two years for Wycombe (WWFC)

On 47 minutes, Simon Garner made it 2-2 before Dave Carroll bagged a 13-minute second-half brace to make it Wycombe 4-2 Preston, which confirmed the Chairboys’ second consecutive promotion.

Some notable names in that North End team that day? A certain Gareth Ainsworth and West Ham United manager, David Moyes.

Remember this, Wycombe fans? (WWFC)

Small world, hey?

5. 2015 League Two play-off final: Southend United 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers (Southend win 7-6 on penalties)

Heartbreak in the final seconds.

Wycombe’s first trip to the new Wembley Stadium ended in tears as they just missed out on a place in League One, following a gut-wrenching defeat to Southend United in the final.

Gareth Ainsworth ahead of the League One play-off final against Southend in 2015 (Anita Ross Marshall)

Wycombe’s problems started straight from kick-off as Sam Saunders was injured just four seconds into the match with a muscle injury.

He was replaced by Matt Bloomed, who would, unfortunately, have a say in the outcome of the match.

After no goals were scored within an hour-and-a-half worth of football, extra time was needed.

Alfie Mawson watches on after Wycombe's defeat to Southend (Anita Ross Marshall)

Five minutes into extra time, Wanderers went 1-0 up.

Joe Jacobson’s free-kick hit the crossbar, it bounced off Daniel Bentley’s back, and it trickled over the line and into the Southend goal.

However, in the final seconds of the match, Southend's Joe Piggot scored to level the game and send the final to a penalty shoot-out.

Matt Bloomfield came on as a sub just minutes into the final and missed his penalty in the shoot-out (Anita Ross Marshall)

After five penalties each, the score was level at 3-3 with Bloomfield missing his spot-kick.

It went into sudden death and sadly, Sam Wood’s penalty was saved by Bentley to earn a 7-6 win for the Essex side, who were promoted at Wanderers’ expense.

6. 2020 League One play-off final: Oxford United 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

At the time of writing, is this the greatest day in the history of Wycombe Wanderers FC?

With the season being halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the sporting world was left in limbo and nobody knew what was going on.

The greatest moment in Wycombe's history (so far?) (PA)

In the end, the League One teams decided to curtail the season on a points-per-game basis, and the magic number of 1.74 for the Chairboys saw them go from eighth to third in the final table.

They brushed aside Fleetwood in the semi-finals to take on Oxford United in the M40 derby (sorry Oxford fans), at an empty and wet Wembley Stadium.

Wycombe winning at a wet Wembley Stadium (PA)

Anthony Stewart gave the Chairboys the lead inside 10 minutes before Mark Sykes’ cross midway through the second half went over Ryan Allsop and into the back of the net.

But with 11 minutes to go, Oxford’s keeper in Simon Eastwood smashed into Fred Onyedinma in the penalty box and up-stepped Joe Jacobson to score the winner.

What a night that was (PA)

A day to remember for Gareth Ainsworth’s men.

7. 2022 League One play-off final: Wycombe Wanderers vs Sunderland, May 21, 2022

Ecstasy or agony awaits on May 21, but which one will it be for Wycombe?

What lies ahead for Wycombe at Wembley on May 21, 2022? (PA)

Credits: Paul Lewis (www.chairboys.co.uk) and Matt Cecil (www.wwfc.co.uk)