Bob Dwyer
In the early modern period nostalgia was described as a medical condition similar to melancholy, and if that description were still to apply today then I would certainly be one of the inflicted. Modern life is rubbish after all and last night’s charity match offered us all a golden opportunity to wallow and pay homage to former Wanderers manager Mike Keen, who sadly passed away almost a year ago now.
Speaking to supporters of a certain vintage (early 30’s) recall fond memories of dreamy visits to Mike Keen sports in High Wycombe town centre to buy their first pair of football boots. He played an integral part in the adolescent lives of many Wycombe boys and their footballing education. Anyone who has had the misfortune of coming across Prince 2 methodology (it’s project planning and it’s sooooo dull) will be familiar with the concept of red threads. It’s essentially threads that weave in and out of each part of the planning process and Wycombe Wanderers football club works in exactly the same way. The club weaves threads run through the lives of so many people in the town and beyond and it’s on nights like these when you realise and appreciate how important a factor the club is in all our lives, and how it brings us all together, gives us a common bond and a sense of belonging.
Some of the youngsters will have had their first ever glimpse of some of the Wanderers heroes of yore. Glyn Creaser showed off a physique that clearly shows he’s been enjoying his life post-football. It still didn’t stop him from playing in an inch-perfect cross for Tommy Mooney to complete his hat-trick. Matt Crossley showed the poise and exquisite touch that had him nicknamed the Wycombe Baresi all those years ago. It took all of two minutes before Steve Brown and Keith Ryan had you believing it was 2001 again. You could almost hear Muzzy Izzett and Robbie Savage screaming in their sleep.
It was Rhino that set up the opening goal of the night, speeding down the right wing to cross low for Tommy Mooney to tap home. Poster-boy Paul Hyde, 47 years old and still going strong playing despite having two teeth knocked whilst playing for Canterbury City recently, denied Gianfranco Zola an equaliser. He couldn’t stop him minutes later however even with the help of his partner in crime back in the day – Jason Cousins. The little Italian maestro was too quick for the man fondly nicknamed “Psycho”, who side-stepped a typical robust challenge to curl the ball almost scientifically inside the far post to level. Zola stole the show and it made you wish you’d seen a bit more of him in his pomp. Somehow TV doesn’t do his skills justice, in the flesh it just seemed all the more magical.
Teddy Sheringham made it 2-1 to the All-stars after being put through on goal and coolly rounding Hyde. There was another encouraging moment in the first half when current Wanderers gaffer Gary Waddock was introduced into the action for the All-stars. There was a genuine warmth and appreciation in the crowd’s reaction to him, something I haven’t seen or felt since John Gorman’s reign. He was swiftly booed on his first touch, and the expression of fun or “banter” seemed to confirm a sense of camaraderie between manager and supporters. It was great to see and long may it continue. If ever there was a time we needed a manager we can love, it is now.
The second half began with Sheringham scoring his second with a classy chip over Hyde but it was only an aperitif to the moment of the night. Mo Harkin, now at Kingstonian, appeared to be boxed in the corner by Paul Allen but he flicked the ball up over the ex-Hammers head, nipped around him and crossed to the edge of the box where Dennis Greene was standing in the “d.” The St. Neots Town coach hit a first-time volley which flashed past Kevin Hitchcock and into the corner of the net. It was a fabulous moment and the crowd lapped it up, with the Cheshire cat grins on the faces of the fans only bettered by that on Greeny’s fizzog himself. Now that’s what I call entertainment. Zola then grabbed his brace, running through the defence and crashing a shot into the top corner. On the hour mark, Rob Lee made it 5-2, flicking the ball past Hyde and tapping into the empty net.
Tommy Mooney showed he’d lost none of his sharpness, nipping in to poke home in determined fashion and he quickly completed his hat-trick beating Chamberlain to tuck home Creaser’s right-wing cross. The game finished 5-4 to the All-stars but it wasn’t about the result it was about a fantastic evening in which football and its larger family was the winner. It was about fun, laughter and enjoyment. For a Wanderers fan like me, it was an absolute joy to see my old heroes back in action again. But more importantly than that, it was an evening where homage was played to Mike Keen.
Here’s to you Mike, a man who played a part in so many of our lives and in the history of our football club. Thanks. We will not forget you.
Now where are my football boots?
