As a supporter of a lower league side you often get giddy when your team unearth’s a real prospect from the youth side or the manager plucks a forgotten youngster from a higher placed team and turns him into a first eleven regular. However amongst the hysterics there always is that lingering doubt that those types of players will be poached and make their way up the league system whilst your club’s chairman runs alway the way to the bank with a bag marked ‘swag.’

Wycombe Wanderers has a healthy tradition of moulding future Premier League stars and over the last two seasons this has become more and more apparent. A mooted England centre back and new captain for a Premier League side and a regular right back for a promoted side currently being waxed lyrical about have among others, recently past through the hallowed turf of Adams Park and have each been integral parts of Wycombe Wanderers flirtation with the Carling Cup and recent promotions.

Roger Johnson signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer from neighboring Birmingham City in a reported £6.5 million deal and was quickly installed as club captain. Johnson had earned rave reviews in his maiden Premier League season and there was even talk amongst journalists about an England call up.

Though that failed to materialize he has shown glimpses that if required could be an effective back up to John Terry and Gary Cahill. Mick McCarthy said of Johnson, “I saw something in Roger a couple of years ago but we didn’t get him that time”. Those at Wycombe Wanderers who saw his career develop at Adams Park since he was part of the youth set-up will say they noticed something in him when he became the club captain in 2004 having been named the fans player of the season the season prior.

His displays for Wycombe Wanderers hadn’t gone unnoticed amongst the 24 members of the Championship including the two Welsh clubs Cardiff City and Swansea City. The latter had a £100,000 bid knocked back before their rivals stumped up more cash and signed Roger.

Two years later and after flourishing in Wales, Birmingham signaled him out as a necessity  if they were going to stay up in their first season back in the Premier League. He continued his impressive form and adapted to the Premier League quickly and when Birmingham were relegated he was able to stay in the league by signing for Wolverhampton and has continued to show promise. At the age of 28, an England call up isn’t completely out of reach.

Russell Martin’s journey to the Premier League hasn’t been as straight forward as his former Wycombe Wanderers colleague. Leaving the Brighton and Hove Albion youth set up in 2004, he joined Lewes in the Isthmian League. Then after a failed trial period with Charlton, he signed for Wycombe and went on to make ten appearances in the 2004/05 season. Martin really shone the following year, where he played in numerous positions throughout the campaign. He remained the resident right back, playing over 100 times for Wycombe before Peterborough, having been promoted to League One, offered him a chance to captain their side and was signed on a three year contract.

Playing every game in the successful promotion gaining season Martin earned plaudits for his performances. However after Darren Ferguson left for Preston North End, Russell Martin joined Norwich City initially on loan. The move was made permanent in January 2010. The Canary fans dubbed him the ‘Cafu of the Championship’ after some magical goals and was naturally at the heart of the clubs fairytale rise to the Premier League.

Although these two players are the most notable of Wycombe Wanderers Alumni, there are more players who have turned out for the Chairboys including Newcastle defender Mike Williamson and Matt Phillips who put in some dazzling performances for Blackpool last season. There is no doubt that around Adams Park there is a sense of pride when these players turn out for their respected Premier League teams.

Photo courtesy of Beacon Radio.