Scott Brown has revealed how close he was to rejoining Cheltenham Town on a two year contract last summer.
The goalkeeper spent the second half of last season on loan with the Robins, who he had represented between 2004 and 2014 before leaving to join Aberdeen and then switching to Wycombe in the summer of 2016.
He played a major part in the Robins avoiding relegation straight back to the National League during his 21 appearances last term, with Wycombe giving Chelsea youngster Jamal Blackman a chance to gain Football League experience between the posts.
At the conclusion of his loan, Brown had the option of returning to his parent club as number one, or signing a permanent deal back at Cheltenham.
"In the summer I was very, very close to coming back," Brown said.
"Wycombe wanted a nominal fee and it was easier for me to be closer to my family, more money for me financially and a two year deal with Cheltenham.
"I never said to Wycombe I wanted to leave, but they only wanted £5,000 or something, but the manager (Gary Johnson) didn’t want to pay it.
"That was the way it was and I was more than happy to stay at Wycombe and see how it went."
Things have worked out well for the 32-year-old, who kept a clean sheet in the Chairboys' 2-0 win at Whaddon Road on Saturday.
The result lifted them above Accrington Stanley to second in the League Two table, five points behind leaders Luton Town.
"It’s a strange feeling being back here, especially in a Wycombe shirt," Brown said.
"It was great to see a lot of friendly faces, but they all were giving me stick after 10 minutes!
"It was hard getting out with the sun and up the hill in the first half, but we used all our Football League experience and were deserved winners.
"In the nicest possibly way hopefully I won’t be back here with Wycombe next year as we want to be in a different league.
"Wycombe and Accrington aren't maybe the most fashionable clubs and we have a bottom half budget, but it just shows what a good job the gaffer (Gareth Ainsworth) is doing here."
Brown is a hugely popular figure at Cheltenham and is the club's record Football League starting appearance maker.
"I love the Cheltenham fans and they have seen me grow up from a chubby 19-year-old...to a chubby 32-year-old!" he said.
"They’ve been brilliant to me and they are fantastic fans, who get right behind their team as long as you give 100 per cent.
"It's a fantastic town and I loved my time with the club."
Cheltenham started the season with Wolves youngster Jon Flatt as their number one, but after a poor start he was replaced by the experienced Scott Flinders, who has been a reliable presence since.
