Football: Town retire shirt in memory of player killed in road crash

9:55am Friday 6th February 2004

WYCOMBE Town will retire their number seven shirt as a tribute to midfielder Andy Auguste who died in a road accident last Sunday.

Chairman Ivor Mant confirmed that the ten-year-old club will be taking his number seven shirt out of service in honour of one of their founder members and most popular players.

He said: "The whole club is devastated. He was the heart and soul of this club."

It is the second time Town have retired one of their shirts in tragic circumstances. Six years ago they withdrew their number four shirt in memory of former player Nick Bird who was also killed in a road accident.

All this week's Sunday Combination matches will be preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Auguste and Town are trying to call off their matches.

Former Sunday Combination League officer Martin Cyster said: "He was one of the real nice lads."

Auguste was a member of the Town squad that played at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park stadium last May in the Sunday Combination Challenge Cup Final and he also played for Ryman League Marlow.

Just a fortnight ago he featured on the Bravo television series, a Trial with Fash, where former England international John Fashanu runs a team.

Wycombe Town and Marlow have already kicked off a series of fundraising events. They raised £1,000 at a meeting in the Britannia pub in Marlow this week to help some of his relatives come over from Australia for the funeral.

More fundraising events are being planned and anyone who wants to help should contact Mr Mant on 01628 476135.