Dean Sayer from Plymouth, who had only recently played in goal for Exeter City's team in the Devon and Exeter Youth League in 1992/93, was one of four school pupils killed in a canoeing accident in 1993. 

The tragedy, involving staff and pupils from Southway School in Plymouth, happened when a sea kayaking trip from Lyme Regis got into difficulty on 22 March 1993.

Speaking on behalf of Exeter City, head of youth Mike Radford was reported at the time as saying:  

“It was a great shock for me personally, and all the staff at the training ground, when we heard of the death of Dean Sayer. Dean lost his life in the canoeing accident last week off the Dorset coast. Dean, a goalkeeper, had played eight matches this season for Exeter City youth team and was a great credit to himself, and his family. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Dean's family. It is a real tragedy, and words cannot express enough the loss that I and many others at the club feel over Dean's death”