Crossword Genius

A wish to meet team close by (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alongside

'close by' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a wish to meet team' is the wordplay.
'wish' becomes 'long' (I've seen this in other clues).
'to meet' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'team' becomes 'side' (both can mean a sports team).
'a'+'long'+'side'='ALONGSIDE'

(Other definitions for alongside that I've seen before include "next door" , "Lying next to, as a boat might be" , "Age-old sin (anag.)" , "Lying close to" , "Aligned so as to be close to pier" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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