Scottish-born Andy Baird, who had made around eighty league appearances for Wycombe Wanderers, played as a trialist for Exeter City on the pre-season tour of Finland at the start of the  2002/03 season. Not engaged, he didn't return to the professional game after his time with the Grecians.

Also playing at St James Park in the pre-season matches against Birmingham City and Walsall, he was endeavouring to remain in the professional game after his recent departure from Adams Park but - in the absence of a deal with the Grecians - found himself at Brackley Town for the next three seasons before a move up the road to Banbury United and a stint with Oxford City through until 2010.