MONTHS of letters and phone calls culminated in an exciting reunion when 28 old footballing pals were brought together after losing contact for more than 50 years.

A photograph of Wycombe Corinthians Minors Football Team published in the Free Press in January prompted a barrage of phone calls from members who played for the team between 1948 and 1952.

Ex-captain and goalkeeper Mick Putman, 69, from Georges Hill, Widmer End, urged his old pals to get in touch but he was shocked at the huge response.

"I couldn't believe how many of them were sent the story," he said.

"Lads I hadn't seen in years were calling me from all over the country and from as far afield as France. Luckily relations in the area passed on the newspaper if they recognised anyone in the picture. It was brilliant."

Mr Putman set to organising a bash for his old pals at the Wycombe Wanderers ground in Adams Park, High Wycombe and last Saturday 28 ex-players gathered in the boardroom for an evening trip down memory lane.

A toast was made to Mr Putman for the months he spent organising the event.

He said: "It was wonderful. A buffet and drinks were laid on and everyone brought along bits and pieces of memorabilia. It was great to catch up on old times.

"A very good pal of mine Ray Sabatini came over from France especially for the party. We all thought back to the days when we would play football on The Rye and then leave our kit in his dad's shop on Easton Street. We had some great times."

Another reunion is planned in November.

'Now that we have all met up we'll not leave it so long again," he said.