Dominic Gape - Player File from Chairboys on the Net

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DOMINIC
GAPE
(Midfielder)
Born: 9 Sep 1994
Where: Burton Bradstock

Joined Wycombe: August 2016 - Loan from Southampton
Wycombe Debut: Luton 4 Wycombe 1 - 3 Sep 2016 - League 2
First goal: Wycombe 5 Crewe 1 - 27 Sep 2016 - League 2
Permanent signing from Southampton - January 2017
Final WW game: Wycombe 0 Cheltenham 3 - 29th Apr 2023 - League 1
Released: June 2023

Career summary at Wycombe.
204 appearances - 4 goals

*Career Details - () indicates loan spell**
Date	Club	League Apps	League goals	Cup Apps	Cup Goals
May13-Jan17	Southampton	0(1)	0	0(0)	0
2016/2017	Wycombe Wanderers	29(3)	1	4(0)	0
2017/2018	Wycombe Wanderers	34(1)	1	3(0)	0
2018/2019	Wycombe Wanderers	41(2)	1	4(0)	0
2019/2020	Wycombe Wanderers	28(0)	0	6(1)	0
2020/2021	Wycombe Wanderers	12(2)	0	1(1)	0
2021/2022	Wycombe Wanderers	7(3)	0	6(0)	0
2022/2023	Wycombe Wanderers	10(5)	1	0(1)	0

Background:
Orginally signed for Wanderers on 31st August 2016 in a loan deal from Premier League side Southampton - the deal running until 3rd January 2017.

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth commented at the time: "We have an excellent relationship with Southampton, as we do with many of the top clubs in England, and that has enabled us to bring a really talented lad in Dominic to Adams Park. Having lost Marcus Bean and Luke O’Nien to long-term injuries, it was important to strengthen the midfield and Dominic gives us another option in there. He’s a very bright player, a real ball-winner and he can pick a pass too. As we saw with Jason last year, there are some excellent young players in the academies of Premier League clubs and coming out on loan can do them the world of good. I’d like to thank Southampton for allowing us to bring Dominic here and we look forward to working with him."

Gape came through the youth system at Southampton, having joined the Club at the age of 8. He captained the U18 side in 2012/13 and subsequently signed a pro contract in May 2013. However, injuries stiffled his progess over the next year before eventually making his Premier League debut as a late substitute in The Saints 3-0 victory over Everton on 20th December 2014.

Bagged his first Wycombe goal in the 5-1 drubbing of Crewe at Adams Park in September 2016 and was a regular member of the side before signing a permanent deal with Wanderers on 7th January 2017 - agreeing a deal until June 2019 - Ainsworth saying: "This is a significant piece of business for us, not just bringing Dom back to the club but getting him on our books as a Wycombe Wanderers player. We were delighted to get him in August because we knew a lot about him and he very quickly became an important member of the team. He’s a ball winner who’s confident in possession and he fits right in to the culture of hard work that we’ve got here. The deal took a lot of hard work from myself and the chairman, but it was all worthwhile because we want this squad to be as strong as it can be and Dom has a big part to play here."

Was another signficant member of the Wycombe squad during the 2017/18 League Two campaign and enjoyed the delight of scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory at Chesterfield on 28th April 2018 - his 76th minute strike from the edge of the box - nestling in the top right corner of the net and sending the Wycombe players and fans alike into mass hysteria.

Commenting on the goal, he said: "I couldn't be happier celebrating with these boys. There isn't a better group of boys in the country than the boys we have here. Everyone has to savour this moment because moments like this don't come along in football too often. Fortunately, this is my second season in professional football and I have a promotion so I am not doing too badly but we need to grab onto this and use this as a catalyst for next season as well. It shows we have a hell of a squad here and Chesterfield played some good stuff and we had to work hard for it. This is a very special day for me personally and for all the boys. Today is a day I will never forget."

Continued to be a regular in the Wanderers starting XI for the 2018/19 campaign in League 1 - featuring in all but three of Wycombe's League games. By the end of the season had reportedly attracted interest from other clubs. Gareth Ainsworth subsequently offered a new deal but with his contract expiring at the end of June 2019, many Wycombe fans were bracing themselves for his departure. However, there was good news announced by the Club on 1st July 2019 with confirmation of a new deal extending to June 2020.

Commenting on the new deal agreed in July 2019, Manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "Dom is an integral part of what we do – one of the first names on the teamsheet week in, week out – and I’m really pleased that he’s agreed to stay. I have no doubt that there will have been other clubs who’d love to have Dom in their team, because he’s a real classy player, someone who can win the ball back and get the team ticking over in the middle of the park. Above all that, he’s an outstanding professional and a hugely popular player around the whole club, so it’s great news that he’s staying and I’m excited to see him continue his development as a player with us here at Wycombe."

On 10th March 2020 it was announced he had signed a deal with Wanderers running until June 2022, with Gareth Ainsworth commenting: “Dominic has been one of the best signings we’ve made during my time at the club and is always one of the first names on the teamsheet. He’s developed both as a player and a person in his four years with us, and I now see him as one of our generals because of his influence around the place and the respect he’s earned from his team-mates." The Wycombe Manager added: “I’m delighted that we’ve agreed this new contract with him and I believe he will continue to go from strength to strength for us in this exciting new era at the club.”

After experiencing injury hit seasons in both 2021/22 and 2022/23, on 18th May 2023 the Club confirmed that Gape would be released when his contract expired at the end of June 2023. He will always be remembered for 'that goal' at Chesterfield in April 2018.

External links:
Wikipedia
Soccerbase

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