Wanderers feared a fixture pile-up after their Second Division game against Luton was called off because of snow.

It was the second time in a week the Wanderers were left kicking their heels after a match day postponement, the previous week's game against Hereford also a weather victim.

Wanderers were worried that a game scheduled for three days later at Hartlepool might also be affected and with the Chrismas games and FA Cup rounds on the horizon, manager Ian Greaves was well aware of the problems that could lie ahead.

In the FA Cup Wanderers were drawn to play West Ham at Upton Park while Bury were paired with UEFA Cup quarter finalists, QPR. West Ham added to their firepower by signing John Radford for £80,000 from Arsenal, who were set to replace him by bringing in Alan Hudson, a £180,000 signing from Stoke.

10 YEARS AGO: Monday, December 9, 1991

WANDERERS won a pulsating second round FA Cup-tie against Bradford but were left counting the cost.

The 3-1 success came after a classy display that started with a goal after 26 seconds by David Burke, plus an injury time penalty by Tony Philliskirk to sandwich a goal from David Reeves.

The match was featured on BBC's Match of the Day when commentator Tony Gubba described it as "One of the most enjoyable FA Cup ties I can remember seeing."

Unfortunately, an injury to Alan Stubbs looked as if it could keep the central defender out for some time and that took the gloss off the game.

There was also no reward of a glamour tie against a First Division club in the next round. In fact they were paired against Third Division rivals Peterborough or Reading.

5 YEARS AGO: Monday, December 16, 1996

COLIN Todd blasted his players after they had been beaten 2-1 by Ipswich Town at Burnden.

The manager described the performance as the worst of the season as it ended a 14 match unbeaten home run in league and cup.

The side was weakened by the absence of Gerry Taggart, Nathan Blake, both on World Cup duties with Northern Ireland and Wales respectively, the suspended Andy Todd and injured Alan Thomson but Todd retorted: "We have a squad of players and we should be able to handle any problems that arise."

The defeat cut Wanderers lead of Division One to one point but Todd insisted that the side "would bounce back in their next game."

Meanwhile Blackburn Rovers announced their new manager to succeed Ray Harford. He was a certain Sven-Goran Eriksson, coach of Italian side Sampdoria.