Athletic. He returned to the starting line-up in the first game of the new season in the Championship against former club Luton Town. He was a near ever-present throughout the campaign, making 42 league appearances for the club, and scored what would be his only league goal during his time at Palace in a 2–0 win over Coventry City in November 2005. Palace missed out on promotion however, losing in the play-off semi-finals to Watford. Boyce had become a favourite with Palace fans and was voted Player of the Year in 2006. With 12 months remaining on his current contract, Boyce rejected a new deal with Palace, stating his desire to return to the Premier League. Rather than letting him leave for free at the end of his contract per the Bosman ruling, Palace accepted an offer for Boyce from Wigan Athletic. Wigan Athletic On 1 August 2006, Boyce was signed by Wigan Athletic on a four-year deal for an initial fee of £1 million. He was initially signed as a replacement on the right side of defence for Pascal Chimbonda, but was often deployed as a centre back. He made his debut for the club on 19 August 2006 in a Premier League match against Newcastle United. He made 34 league appearances during the season, helping the club avoid relegation, which was confirmed on the final day of the season in a 2–1 win against Sheffield United. His performances earned him praise from Wigan supporters, and he narrowly missed out on the club's Player of the Year award. At the start of the 2007–08 season, following the signing of Mario Melchiot as the club's new first choice right-back, Boyce found his first team opportunities more limited. However, after a poor start to the season by Wigan, he returned to the starting line-up, which saw an upturn in results, and the club once again avoided relegation. He made 25 league appearances during the season, most of which came during the second half of the season. On 15 November 2008, he was sent off for the first time in his career in a 2–2 draw against Newcastle United, after receiving a second yellow card. Replays showed that the decision was harsh, and Wigan manager Steve Bruce called for rule changes to allow clubs to appeal against yellow cards, and also to introduce video technology. Two weeks later, on 29 November 2008,