Anthony Stewart’s header hits the back of the net. He peels away to celebrate, his teammates in close attendance. They all know the importance of the goal, which will set the club on course for promotion to the Championship. For the first time in its 133-year history, Wycombe will be playing in the second tier of English football.
On the touchline, Richard Dobson feels an almost paternal sense of pride. Gareth Ainsworth’s right-hand man, the ‘yang’ to the manager’s ‘ying’, has known Stewart since he joined the club as a 15-year-old apprentice in 2008.
Stewart’s start at Wycombe was tough. Just 12 months after leaving his South London home, moving into digs and away from his family, Stewart’s dad died.
Dobson, who at the time was working as part of Wycombe’s youth programme, remembers Stewart sending money to his mum to help support the family. It was an experience that forged a strong bond between the two.