This article was written prior to the announcement that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away on September 8, 2022. Any possible changes this has to fixtures will be reported on as soon as we know.

 

There will be an empty seat in the press box when Wycombe take on Gareth Ainsworth’s former club Port Vale on what will be an emotional day at Adams Park on Saturday (September 10).

Bill Turnbull, who died last week at the age of 66, sat in that seat on countless occasions, microphone in hand, to deliver his unique brand of commentary at Wanderers home games.

His death has affected so many people - his family, of course; the millions of viewers who enjoyed his warm, friendly manner as a TV presenter, and the army of Wycombe fans for whom he was simply ‘one of our own.’

READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers' tribute to the late Bill Turnbull

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Bill at so many Wanderers games over the years and he supported the Chairboys as enthusiastically as those fans who stand behind the goal at Adams Park.

Bill brought that enthusiasm to his commentaries for the club’s website. Scrupulously professional and neutral on TV, he was the exact opposite when covering his beloved Wanderers - biased is an understatement!

READ MORE: When Wycombe's Bill Turnbull sang at an empty Wembley Stadium in 2020

He would lavish praise on every player in blue quarters, criticise the opposition for any perceived misdemeanors, and rage about referees if a decision went against his favourite team.

Bill was a fan with a microphone, and that is why we loved him.

The club has dedicated the Port Vale game to Bill’s memory, and I am sure the Vale supporters will join in the tributes as his popularity stretched far beyond the confines of Adams Park.

READ MORE: BBC Breakfast host and Wycombe fan Bill Turnbull dies aged 66

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth is also a popular figure among Vale fans. He made over fifty appearances for the club and remains the most expensive player they have ever bought or sold.

He cost £500,000 when signed from Lincoln in 1997 and fetched a fee of £2m when he moved to Wimbledon just a year later, a healthy profit!

Ainsworth was applauded by Vale fans when he made his final league appearance as a Wycombe player in a 1-1 draw against them at Adams Park in April 2013.

Whatever the result on Saturday, Wanderers fans will be cherishing the opportunity to celebrate the life of Bill Turnbull, forever a Chairboy.