Wycombe Wanderers struck gold with Brentford transfer - He was vital to Chairboys' EFL rise under Martin O'Neill | OneFootball

Wycombe Wanderers struck gold by signing Jason Cousins from Brentford in 1991.

Wycombe Wanderers' addition of defender Jason Cousins from Brentford in 1991 proved to be one of the best pieces of business in the club's history, as his arrival helped the Chairboys pave their way into the EFL.

34 years ago, the small club in the quiet market town had never experienced a single minute of EFL football, which is a far cry from today's reality, as they battle towards the top of League One.

Legendary manager Martin O'Neill was early into his five-year stint in South Buckinghamshire, and was finally looking to take Wanderers into the professional English ranks for the first time in their history.

In the summer of 1991, the Northern Irishman's eye was caught in a trial match against Brentford reserves by a young defender who kept Wycombe's Keith Scott quiet throughout the match.

O'Neill took a punt on him, bringing him to Adams Park on a free transfer. Little did he know, he'd just signed a man who would go on to be a stalwart for the club over the next 11 years.

Jason Cousins played a key role in Wycombe Wanderers' EFL rise

When Cousins arrived in HP12 in the summer of 1991, the club was on an ambitious path towards the EFL. Expectations were high ahead of the 1991-92 campaign, that Wycombe could finally break into the top four tiers.

Unfortunately, the Chairboys finished second on goal difference in the Conference that season, missing out to then-bitter rivals Colchester United, but having a great platform to build on for next season.

And build they would, as Cousins captained O'Neill's side as they finally broke into the EFL in the 1992-93 season, winning not only the Conference, but the FA Trophy as well, as the right-back became a domestic double-winning skipper.

What happened next was beyond anyone's wildest dreams. The club's first venture into the Third Division [League Two] in their history ended with promotion to the Second Division [League One], at the old Wembley Stadium.

The Chairboys beat Preston North End 4-2 in the play-off final, once again reaching heights they'd never reached before. Despite being stripped of his captaincy by his manager, following a reprimand for a dangerous tackle on David Moss, Cousins again played a key role in this success, being named in the PFA Team of the Year for that season.

Over his first four seasons at the club, the full-back missed just 11 matches, and was named the club's player of the season in O'Neills final season as Blues boss, where they finished sixth in the Second Division, cementing himself as a stalwart in the Wycombe side.

Jason Cousins went on to become a Wycombe Wanderers legend

Wycombe were rocked in June 1995 when their beloved manager opted to leave Buckinghamshire to take up the vacancy at Norwich City. However, Cousins would remain a constant from the O'Neill era for many years to come.

Despite not being particularly favoured by the next crop of Wanderers bosses in Alan Smith and John Gregory, he would eventually return to favour under Neil Smillie in the 1998/99 season, after being converted to a centre-back. This saw the Hayes-born defender sweep his second Player of the Season award.

Following Smillie's departure, Cousins continued to excel in the central defensive position for new boss Lawrie Sanchez. Towards the twilight of his career at Adams Park, the defender played a key role in a magical FA Cup run, which saw the Chairboys reach the semi-finals, narrowly losing out to Liverpool at Villa Park.

Cousins left the club in April 2002, but went on to have his testimonial against Celtic in October 2002, honouring 10 years of service to the club and seeing O'Neill return to his old stomping ground as manager of the Scottish giants.

Following his departure from Wycombe, Cousins told the Bucks Free Press: "It was difficult walking out after 11 years.

"Even though I was expecting it, I was choked up, and I struggled to get my words out afterwards.

"Wycombe Wanderers has been a big and fantastic part of my life. There can't be many lower league footballers that get to Wembley, win two successive promotions and play in an FA Cup semi-final."

O'Neill certainly struck gold with the signing of Cousins, as he ended his Wanderers career with a whopping 470 appearances to his name, and nine goals across all competitions, firmly cementing himself as a club legend.