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http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-athletic/emmerson-boyce-exclusive-why-i-have-to-leave-1-726856
Emmerson Boyce exclusive: Why I have to leave
FA Cup winning captain set to leave after nine years
Boyce says offer from the club was “laughable” and the situation is “disappointing”
Latics chairman Sharpe: “We would like Emmerson to be a part of the team this coming season”CLUB captain Emmerson Boyce has revealed he may have played his last game for Wigan Athletic after nine eventful years at the DW.
The 35-year-old – who led Latics to their greatest-ever triumph, the 2013 FA Cup victory over Manchester City – is out of contract this summer after 298 games.
Boyce had harboured hopes of extending his stay into a 10th year, which would have included a well-deserved testimonial.
But opening his heart to the Observer in an exclusive interview, he says the nature of the offer from the club made it difficult for him to stay on.
“The situation is I think I’ve played my last game for the club,” Boyce revealed.
“There was nothing on the table in the first place. They came back a week later and mentioned a pay-as-you-play deal which, to me, was maybe more for show than anything else.
“ They’ve obviously got every right to offer me what they want to offer, but the deal was laughable
Emmerson Boyce“Looking at my record for Wigan, how many games I’ve played, and the fact I’ve hardly ever been injured, a pay-as-you-play deal was a bit disappointing.
“I saw the warning signs from January. I knew what was going to happen towards the end of the season.
“I understand how it works in football, but it’s obviously a bit disappointing.
“They’ve obviously got every right to offer me what they want to offer, but the deal was laughable.
“After nine years I would have preferred someone to have sat down and told me they weren’t offering me a deal. That’s the most disappointing thing as far as I’m concerned.”
Latics chairman David Sharpe responded to Boyce’s comments, saying: “Our ambition is to regain our Championship status as quickly as possible and we would like Emmerson to be a part of the team this coming season because we feel he could continue to help us.
“However, the reality of our current situation is that we are in League One and we have to maintain a wage structure in line with our status.”
I must admit I’m a bit disappointed by Boycie’s attitude to this.
Yes, he’s had a good, long service with the club. That was shown by the “do” the other week, where fans showed their appreciation for what he’s done.
But he’s now well past his sell-by date. He is slower than he was, doesn’t have the turning ability, etc etc. It’s time for new blood. Surely he recognises that? It’s a new era of rebuilding. Most of the old guard have gone.
The best he can now contribute would be experience and advice – and not go off in a sulk. He may be needed for the odd game when we are depleted – but he shouldn’t be expecting more, particularly at the stage of his career he’s at. To be brutal – he was part of the team that has suffered two relegations, and hasn’t shone as the one who would get us out of the mess. Loyal (up to now) certainly, but effective?
I’m sorry, Boycie, but don’t leave us with a slightly bitter taste. Bow out gracefully.
Slightly short sighted by the club i feel. Yes i accept that a pay as you play deal would be fair at his age with his best years certainly behind him but i feel he has warranted more from the club at the same time. I am pretty sure an advisory role or administrative role could have been offered to him.
He might get a 1 year contract at the likes of MK Dons but where does he go after that?
No matter what the chairchild says I do think that some discretion wouldn’t have gone amiss here! His legs may have gone but he isn’t just any old player and he would have been a grand servant to the club after his retirement from full time footy! Austerity over loyalty and it stinks if you ask me. I personally think that he would have done ok in League One for just one more season but for him to have said what he has said then I can only imagine that the club have fucked him over big time! The season ticketometer has swung to the ‘No’ bit so far! I wasn’t surprised at the player exits so far but this treatment of a club legend is a fuckin disgrace!
No matter what the chairchild says I do think that some discretion wouldn’t have gone amiss here! His legs may have gone but he isn’t just any old player and he would have been a grand servant to the club after his retirement from full time footy! Austerity over loyalty and it stinks if you ask me. I personally think that he would have done ok in League One for just one more season but for him to have said what he has said then I can only imagine that the club have fucked him over big time! The season ticketometer has swung to the ‘No’ bit so far! I wasn’t surprised at the player exits so far but this treatment of a club legend is a fuckin disgrace!Even you managed more minutes per game than Boycey last season. 35 years of age, time to pack it in.
No matter what the chairchild says I do think that some discretion wouldn’t have gone amiss here! His legs may have gone but he isn’t just any old player and he would have been a grand servant to the club after his retirement from full time footy! Austerity over loyalty and it stinks if you ask me. I personally think that he would have done ok in League One for just one more season but for him to have said what he has said then I can only imagine that the club have fucked him over big time! The season ticketometer has swung to the ‘No’ bit so far! I wasn’t surprised at the player exits so far but this treatment of a club legend is a fuckin disgrace!
Even you managed more minutes per game than Boycey last season. 35 years of age, time to pack it in.[/quote]
I just think he could have managed one more season and then been offered a behind the scenes role! Treated like a disposable hero when some discretion should have been used !
No matter what the chairchild says I do think that some discretion wouldn’t have gone amiss here! His legs may have gone but he isn’t just any old player and he would have been a grand servant to the club after his retirement from full time footy! Austerity over loyalty and it stinks if you ask me. I personally think that he would have done ok in League One for just one more season but for him to have said what he has said then I can only imagine that the club have fucked him over big time! The season ticketometer has swung to the ‘No’ bit so far! I wasn’t surprised at the player exits so far but this treatment of a club legend is a fuckin disgrace!
Even you managed more minutes per game than Boycey last season. 35 years of age, time to pack it in.[/quote]
I just think he could have managed one more season and then been offered a behind the scenes role! Treated like a disposable hero when some discretion should have been used ![/quote]
Why? We don’t have enough cash to be throwing it around on players who are simply past it. And he is. If he’s right, ie he is good enough to carry on playing, he’ll have no trouble finding another club will he? Much rather spend that extra money on finding a decent striker.
Another split in the forum posters it seems.
This offer is imo offensive. It would have been far better to have said we didn’t require his service or a year contract with a view to coaching or something but pay as you play?
This guy has put so much into the community,the club, not to mention his charity work and we offer him a pay as you play. Paul Kendrick must be squirming.
I’d be blazing and it appears he is too.
Young Sharps comment say to me he is as wide of the mark as his Grandad.just read a comment that Sharpy will spend more on fake tan this season than it would have cost to give Boyce a years contract. :P
This has already alienated a few season ticket renewers from what I’m reading.The more I think of this the more it smacks of Whelan, no way JJ and Sharpy would be hard faced enough to offer this contract. Save the cost/hassle of a testimonial as well. Sharp talks of wage structure today, yesterday he was looking at 15 new signings and getting back in the Championship with our loanees coming back. Confused much?
It would have been far better to have said we didn’t require his service or a year contract with a view to coaching or something but pay as you play?If the club doesn’t “require his services”, why the fuck would they offer him another year with a view to coaching? It’s not a charity!
If they think he’s past it, he’s past it.
Well my season ticket purchase is back on hold! The thing that makes me laugh is that the much maligned Caldwell was out injured for what seemed an eternity, returned briefly to fuck up our follow up FA Cup win attempt and play off chances, went off on the sick again and then got given the manager’s job the day after MacKay got the boot! Boyce a player respected by probably 99.9% of Wigan fans gets treated like this? Sorry but I think it’s a fucking disgrace!
Once again Wigan Athletic acting with the foresight of Bacup Borough. A loyal player like Boycie would lend his experience to the youth side in more than one way. He may not be as quick as he was in the old pins but still has the grey matter when it’s needed. But as has happened before with other players he gets treated like a cheap Nokia mobile – pay as you go! And another factor is that he is due a testimonial next year so in my opinion this is all engineered hoping that he will leave. A the same time it is revealed that we are chasing a striker who couldn’t even keep his club in League Two – but it’s the old Latics mantra – if it’s cheap enough, it’s good enough!
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