SUMMER is always too long for the football fan but Wycombe followers will catch the bug again at tomorrow's first home league game.

All fans have different methods of preparing for games. Blues fan Sharon Deighton likes to kick-off at lunchtime with the odd beverage like many others gearing up for Adams Park.

However, when Wycombe played Grimsby in the FA Cup last season, Sharon fell into that famous supporter trap of superstition.

Wycombe won the game, so Sharon decided to wear the same clothes to every subsequent FA Cup game. It worked, up to a point. Wycombe's sensational run continued up to the semi-finals where Liverpool finally put paid to their hopes. Sharon's superstition took care of Grimsby, Wolves, Wimbledon (twice) and Leicester City to take the Blues into dreamland.

"It began with the tie against Grimsby and we did well so I just continued," says Sharon. "It seemed to be working quite well until we got to the semi-final. It's a pity it didn't work there.

"I don't have any rituals or superstitions as such but it's just something that fans do. I have a Keith Scott key ring (who's now left) with me at every match I attend."

Many fans sit in pubs before and after games enjoying the pre or post-match banter. Some travel with family, some with friends and some on their own. Some also prefer to walk to the ground because they enjoy the 'buzz' of a match day.

"My sister and I travel to home and away games. For home games we usually go to a pub in Wycombe, usually The Falcon, or The Vere Suite at about 12.30pm," says Sharon.

"We have a couple of beers and drinks before the game and then travel to the game in our own car or taxi. It's usually a taxi if we're feeling a bit merry."

Fans can also be divided into categories of those who wear their teams colours and those who don't. Some swear by their club and have to wear a shirt or scarf as a badge of identity but others feel they don't want their whole identity consumed.

"We don't wear our colours at all or wear scarves," explains Sharon. "The reason for this is that we like to go out before and after games and there are some places that won't let you in if you have football colours on. Certain pubs and restaurants just don't want to know if you have football shirts on."

Sharon says her Grandad took her to see the Blues in 1955 when she was just five months old. She began going regularly at the age of 14 and now goes to every home and away game.

But being a season ticket holder has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Life simply revolves around football. When the fixture list comes out, fans begin making arrangements, booking off days at work and writing in diaries.

Sharon is a social worker but still manages to keep abreast of the football arrangements.

"Yes, I have to keep some summer holiday back so I have enough to take off for midweek away games. As soon as I see the fixture list, I've usually got the diary out."

For Sharon, however, the football fever doesn't boil over as Les, her husband, is a season ticket holder at Leeds United and her two sons Chris and Steve also follow the game.

"People who go to games understand. On a Saturday, you're no longer anyone's wife or anyone's mother or an employee. You just go to games, feeling the same way and wanting the same thing."

For away games, she travels with her fellow supporters every other week to the likes of Oldham, Cambridge and this year to the bright lights of Blackpool.

"I travel on the supporters' coach and it's good to see all these places. Football does become the most important thing in your life but I've made so many friends through football. It has a strong social function."

"When we score, I do jump up and down and yes, I do give the referee a bit of stick but that's all part of the game. And I never leave before the final whistle."

Football also attracts the odd bet or two with anything from the first goalscorer to the amount of injury tie played up for negotiation.

"We do put a bet on in every game," says Sharon. "We do it every week and go for the same score (2-1 to Wycombe) and for Simpson to score the winning goal. We've never won anything yet.

"When the game's over, we usually go to the Hogshead or another pub after the game and stay there until late."

That's the life of the football fanatic. A round-the-clock marriage to their club irrespective of results, cost or distance.

So why do you do it?

"I'm afraid the one time I don't turn up something amazing will happen," concludes Sharon.

Seeing is believing.

THE Wycombe Wanderers Football in the Community Scheme is bringing the game out into the schools and helping youngsters develop their skills.

It's run by Dave Evans, along with Nas Bashir, who are responsible for strengthening links between Wycombe Wanderers and primary and middle schools in South Bucks.

Dave said: "We started off four years ago and we offer free football coaching sessions at local schools for girls as well as boys.

"During the summer holidays, we have holiday football camps for young people aged five to 14. When we have our sessions, the emphasis is on enjoyment and getting everyone involved.

"One person gets a ball each and we might do something like 'stick in the mud with football', so everything is connected to football but it's fun."

This week Dave and his team have been coaching in High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Marlow, Princes Risborough and Holmer Green so as many youngsters as possible can benefit from their expertise.

There are seven full-time staff who work with the team and their task is to take the game out to youngsters as well as trying to get more supporters to attend Wycombe Wanderers.

Dave says: "The FA Cup run obviously did help get a few more youngters involved in football as we seemed to get a few more kids coming to sessions.

"We now have the biggest scheme in the South East and that includes clubs like Southampton, Reading and Exeter City, so it has become very popular."

Dave is employed by the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) to work for Wycombe Wanderers and there are 87 clubs in the country who run similar schemes.

If you would like more information about Wycombe Wanderers Football in the Community Scheme call 01494 472100

Football friendly pubs and cafs

The Hour Glass, 144 Chapel Lane, Sands, about one mile from Adams Park. Away fans are accepted at the doorman's discretion. Food is served, there are three pool tables, video screens and a trendy Juke Box.

The Corner Plaice, 61 Mill End Road, Fish and Chips

The Half Moon, 103 Dashwood Avenue, Free House, small beer garden, no food, approx one mile from Adams Park

The White Horse, 95 West Wycombe Road, Free House, no food or real ale, approx 1.5 miles from Adams Park

Bird in Hand, 81 West Wycombe Road, Free House, real ale and good food, approx 1.5 miles from Adams Park.

About Adams Park

Adams Park is a relatively new ground opened in 1990 and now with a capacity just short of 10,000 (all covered). There are toilets and tea-bars in every section of the ground. There is a large supporters bar, in the Vere Suite, that also offers snacks.

Address of ground: Adams Park, Hillbottom Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4HJ

Telephone 01494 472100 Fax 01494 527633

Official Website - www.wycombewanderers.co.uk

Go to Club Information page for more contact points at the Football Club

Fanzines

The Wanderer is produced by Wycombe Wanderers Independent Supporters Club and is published every 4 to 6 weeks

When Skies Are Blue, which had its debut issue in November 1999.

Chairboys Trivia

Wycombe are called the Chairboys because of the tradition of chair-making in the town of High Wycombe.

Wycombe's most famous player was Tony Horseman, who played over 700 times and scored over 400 times between 1963 and 1978.

Wycombe are the first and so far only Football League club from Buckinghamshire.

Wycombe's first team kit has the almost unique colour scheme of light and dark blue quarters. The Club changed the design for season 1996/97 and many supporters boycotted sales. The quarters returned within one season.

Wycombe's previous ground was called Loakes Park and had an 11 foot slope from touchline to touchline.SUMMER is always too long for the football fan but Wycombe followers will catch the bug again at tomorrow's first home league game.

All fans have different methods of preparing for games. Blues fan Sharon Deighton likes to kick-off at lunchtime with the odd beverage like many others gearing up for Adams Park.

However, when Wycombe played Grimsby in the FA Cup last season, Sharon fell into that famous supporter trap of superstition.

Wycombe won the game, so Sharon decided to wear the same clothes to every subsequent FA Cup game. It worked, up to a point. Wycombe's sensational run continued up to the semi-finals where Liverpool finally put paid to their hopes. Sharon's superstition took care of Grimsby, Wolves, Wimbledon (twice) and Leicester City to take the Blues into dreamland.

"It began with the tie against Grimsby and we did well so I just continued," says Sharon. "It seemed to be working quite well until we got to the semi-final. It's a pity it didn't work there.

"I don't have any rituals or superstitions as such but it's just something that fans do. I have a Keith Scott key ring (who's now left) with me at every match I attend."

Many fans sit in pubs before and after games enjoying the pre or post-match banter. Some travel with family, some with friends and some on their own. Some also prefer to walk to the ground because they enjoy the 'buzz' of a match day.

"My sister and I travel to home and away games. For home games we usually go to a pub in Wycombe, usually The Falcon, or The Vere Suite at about 12.30pm," says Sharon.

"We have a couple of beers and drinks before the game and then travel to the game in our own car or taxi. It's usually a taxi if we're feeling a bit merry."

Fans can also be divided into categories of those who wear their teams