Billy Paynter
Encyclopedia
William Paul "Billy" Paynter (born 13 July 1984) is a professional footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion
on loan from Leeds United
in the Football League Championship
as a striker.
He started his career with Port Vale
in 2000, and made over 150 appearances in his six years with the club, being voted Player of the Year
in 2005
. Sold to Hull City
in 2006, he was sold on to Southend United
later that year. His career stalled, and following a loan spell with Bradford City
, he moved on to Swindon Town
in 2007. Averaging more than a goal every three games with the club, he transferred to Leeds United
in 2010. He joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in October 2011.
, Paynter grew up a Everton
supporter. He started his career at Port Vale
, signing professional forms in 2000 after graduating through the youth set-up. Manager Brian Horton
gave Paynter his debut against Walsall
at Vale Park
on 3 May 2001. At only 16 years and 294 days old, this made him the youngest Vale player for twenty years.
Horton went on to give the young striker seven further Second Division
games in the 2001–02
season. He scored his first senior goal past Notts County
on 17 September 2002, making him the club's youngest goalscorer for 24 years. By the end of the season
he had scored five goals in 34 appearances. Still a teenager during the 2003–04
season, he hit 14 goals in 48 games, leaving him second in the club's scoring charts behind the prolific Stephen McPhee
. He was rewarded with a long-term contract at the season's end.
He finished the 2004–05
campaign as the club's top-scorer with thirteen goals in fifty games; this came despite criticism from some supporters for a mini-goal drought in mid-season. In March, manager Martin Foyle
dismissed rumours of Paynter moving to nearby Crewe Alexandra
. At the end of the season, fans voted Paynter as the club's Player of the Year
. He started the 2005–06
season with just two goals in sixteen League One
games, but had still done enough in his Port Vale career to justify a move into Championship
football. The club reported Tony Pulis
' Plymouth Argyle
to The Football Association
for an alleged illegal approach for the player, but accepted a bid from Hull City.
manager Peter Taylor
signed Paynter on loan, then later negotiated a permanent transfer for an initial fee of £150,000 in the January transfer window. Team-mate Sam Collins also moved to Hull at the same time. Again, Paynter mainly played as a striker, but also made some appearances as a right midfielder. He scored three times in his 23 appearances, before moving on again at the end of the season.
Paynter also played for a Football League England U21 team (selected and managed by Peter Taylor) in a game against an Italian Serie B
side, a match which took place at the KC Stadium
in February 2006. Paynter played as a right-midfielder.
on a three year contract on 7 August 2006 for an undisclosed fee, although he actually joined the Shrimpers a few days earlier on loan, to enable him to play in their match against Stoke City
. He scored his first and what turned out to be only Southend goal in a 3–2 League Cup
victory over Brighton. He lost his place in the first team due to a lack of goals.
Paynter's stay at Southend was brief, aided by a hamstring injury, and on the last day of the January transfer window of the 2006–07 season he was loaned out to Bradford City
for a month. In all he made just eleven appearances for Southend.
on 3 February 2007 – he scored a last minute equaliser to earn the Bantams a 2–2 draw. He played fifteen times for Bradford, scoring four goals, after his loan was extended to the end of the season.
on transfer deadline day on a three year contract. He made his debut on 9 September, coming on as a substitute in a televised defeat against Yeovil
. He hit a hat-trick against Bournemouth
in September 2007, and followed this up with a double against Gillingham
in a 5–0 win in early October 2007. In one week in January 2008 he scored a goal and an own goal in an FA Cup
replay with Barnet
, before he was sent off in a League One
game with Crewe Alexandara
.
Paynter made 42 league starts in the following 2008–09 season for Swindon, scoring eleven goals and providing vital support for the league's joint top-scorer Simon Cox.
Cox was sold to West Bromwich Albion
in summer 2009, and Paynter was given a more prominent role in attack as a result of his departure. He netted fifteen goals in a seventeen match run from the end of November through to April. Paynter was named as the League One Player of the Month for January - an award he was also nominated for again in March - and at this point Paynter also entered negotiations over a new contract with Swindon. On 3 April 2010, Paynter scored a brace for Swindon in their 3–0 rout of Leeds United
at Elland Road
– the win gave Swindon some hope of achieving automatic promotion. He had also previously scored twice against Leeds that season in a 3–0 win at the County Ground. Swindon reached the League One play-offs, and won their play-off semi final after beating Charlton Athletic
on penalties – Paynter had missed the first leg through injury, but returned for the second leg which saw Swindon edge into the final
at Wembley
. He overcame a slight injury doubt and managed to play from the start in Swindon's 1–0 defeat to Millwall
, with Paynter being substituted late on in the second half. During the 2009–10 season Paynter also managed to form a formidable strike partnership with fellow striker Charlie Austin
, as the pair scored a total of 49 goals between them. In total Paynter scored 29 goals for Swindon during the 2009–10 season, representing his best goal scoring ratio in a single season.
. He featured in both of Leeds' pre-season games in Slovakia
and scored his first goal for the club as Leeds defeated MFK Košice
1–0 on 16 July. On 23 July, it was reported that Paynter would be ruled out for two-months after reports surfaced he was suffering a stress fracture of the shin after picking up an injury during Leeds' pre season. The injury ruled him out of the rest of the pre-season campaign, with manager Simon Grayson
claiming that no exact timescale has been put on Paynter's recovery from injury. Six days later Paynter was awarded the number 9 shirt for Leeds United during the 2010 squad number announcements, taking over from former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford
. He returned to training at the start of September, and played 90 minutes in Leeds' 3–1 behind closed doors friendly win against Middlesbrough
in order to help gain match fitness. However, Paynter later suffered a reaction to his injury, keeping him out of action longer than expected.
Paynter made his long awaited comeback in reserve team action against Scunthorpe reserves. On 30 October, Paynter made his debut as a second half substitute in a 4–1 defeat of Scunthorpe United
. He made his Elland Road
debut as a second half substitute against Hull City
on 9 November, before he made his full debut for Leeds against Portsmouth
on 28 December. He scored his first goal for Leeds in a 2–1 win at Preston North End
on 8 March. Leeds kept faith in Paynter for the following game against Ipswich Town
, as he again kept his starting place at the expense of Luciano Becchio
. He was given his first red card in a Leeds shirt in a 2–0 defeat at Sheffield United
on 19 March. After an injury to Becchio, Paynter returned to the Leeds starting line-up in a goalless draw with Reading
the following month. He had a poor debut season at Leeds, Scoring just once in 23 games, and was linked with a move to Yorkshire
rivals Sheffield United in the summer.
in Leeds' 3–2 pre-season victory against Newcastle United
. He came on as a substitute for Leeds on the opening day of the 2011–12
season as they suffered a 3–1 defeat against Southampton
; he missed a chance to score when his one-on-one was saved by Kelvin Davis
. Paynter was set to start against his former club Bradford City
due to a striker crisis leaving him and Ross McCormack
as the only available strikers at the club, however he missed the game through injury and also the match against Middlesbrough
. His injury meant that Leeds signed Andy Keogh
on loan to help cover the striking crisis at the club.
On 31 August, Paynter was given permission to speak with Brighton & Hove Albion
regarding a move to the club. However decided to stay at Leeds and fight for his place at the club. With Luciano Becchio
returning from injury and the signing of Mikael Forssell
, Paynter fell further down the pecking order for Leeds and manager Simon Grayson
hinted that he would allow Paynter to go out on loan.
After not playing since the opening day of the season for Leeds, In October reports circulated that several Championship
clubs were interested in taking Paynter on loan. Manager Simon Grayson
confirmed on 20 October that Leeds were looking to loan Paynter out, however they would not loan him to a rival club in the same division and were currently considering an offer from an unnamed League One
side.
on loan until 2 January 2012. He made his debut for the club on 29 October, as a second half substitute against Birmingham City
.
side's, a match which took place at the KC Stadium
in February 2006. Paynter played as a right-midfielder.
Swindon Town
Individual
! rowspan=2|Season !! rowspan=2|Club !! rowspan=2|Status !! rowspan=2|Division
! colspan=2|League
! colspan=2|FA Cup
! colspan=2|League Cup
! colspan=2|FL Trophy
! colspan=2|Play-Offs
! colspan=2|Total>
> Brighton & Hove Albion
Championship
> 1
0
0
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
! 1 !! 0
>Leeds United
Championship
> 1
0
0
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
! 1 !! 0
>
Championship
> 22
1
1
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
! 23 !! 1
! 23 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 24 !! 1>
>Swindon Town
League One
> 44
26
3
1
2
2
1
0
2
0
! 52 !! 29
League One
> 42
11
1
0
1
1
3
0
-
-
! 47 !! 12
League One
> 36
8
4
2
0
0
0
0
-
-
! 40 !! 10
! 122 !! 45 !! 8 !! 3 !! 3 !! 3 !! 4 !! 0 !! 2 !! 0 !! 139 !! 51>Bradford City
Loan
League One
> 15
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
-
-
! 15 !! 4
! 15 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 15 !! 4>Southend United
Championship
> 9
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
-
-
! 11 !! 1
! 9 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 2 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 11 !! 1>Hull City
Championship
> 13
0
1
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-
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! 14 !! 0
Loan
Championship
> 9
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-
-
-
! 9 !! 3
! 22 !! 3 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 23 !! 3>
>Port Vale
League One
> 16
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
-
-
! 17 !! 2
>
League One
> 45
10
2
2
1
0
2
1
-
-
! 50 !! 13
>
Second Division
> 45
13
2
1
1
0
1
0
-
-
! 49 !! 14
>
Second Division
> 31
5
1
0
0
0
2
0
-
-
! 34 !! 5
>
Second Division
> 7
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
-
-
! 8 !! 0
>
Second Division
> 1
0
0
0
0
0
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-
-
! 1 !! 0
! 144 !! 30 !! 6 !! 3 !! 3 !! 0 !! 5 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 158 !! 34>
! 334 !! 83 !! 16 !! 6 !! 8 !! 4 !! 9 !! 1 !! 2 !! 0 !! 369 !! 94>
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on loan from Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
as a striker.
He started his career with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in 2000, and made over 150 appearances in his six years with the club, being voted Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
in 2005
2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's ninety-third season of football in the Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place...
. Sold to Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
in 2006, he was sold on to Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
later that year. His career stalled, and following a loan spell with Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, he moved on to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in 2007. Averaging more than a goal every three games with the club, he transferred to Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in 2010. He joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan in October 2011.
Port Vale
Born in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, Paynter grew up a Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
supporter. He started his career at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, signing professional forms in 2000 after graduating through the youth set-up. Manager Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
gave Paynter his debut against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
on 3 May 2001. At only 16 years and 294 days old, this made him the youngest Vale player for twenty years.
Horton went on to give the young striker seven further Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
games in the 2001–02
2001–02 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2001–02 season was Port Vale's ninetieth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Second Division. On the pitch Vale finished in mid-table, whilst exiting both the FA Cup and the League Cup at the Second Round, and the League Trophy at the Area...
season. He scored his first senior goal past Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on 17 September 2002, making him the club's youngest goalscorer for 24 years. By the end of the season
2002–03 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2002–03 season was Port Vale's ninety-first season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the Second Division. Another poor season, Brian Horton's side avoided relegation with a seventeenth place finish...
he had scored five goals in 34 appearances. Still a teenager during the 2003–04
2003–04 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2003–04 season was Port Vale's ninety-second season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the Second Division. Brian Horton resigned in February, and was replaced by Martin Foyle. Vale fought for promotion, but finished outside the play-off zone on goal difference...
season, he hit 14 goals in 48 games, leaving him second in the club's scoring charts behind the prolific Stephen McPhee
Stephen McPhee
Stephen McPhee is a Scottish former footballer. In a ten year career he has played for clubs in Scotland, England and Portugal. And has been capped for his country at under-21 level. A forward, he scored 55 goals in 249 games in all competitions.Starting his career at Coventry City, following a...
. He was rewarded with a long-term contract at the season's end.
He finished the 2004–05
2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's ninety-third season of football in the Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place...
campaign as the club's top-scorer with thirteen goals in fifty games; this came despite criticism from some supporters for a mini-goal drought in mid-season. In March, manager Martin Foyle
Martin Foyle
Martin John Foyle is an English former footballer, turned football manager. In his 20 year playing career he played 533 League games, scoring 155 goals...
dismissed rumours of Paynter moving to nearby Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
. At the end of the season, fans voted Paynter as the club's Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
. He started the 2005–06
2005–06 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was Port Vale's ninety-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League One. They finished in mid-table, and exited the League Cup at the First Round and the League Trophy at the Second Round. In the FA Cup, Vale made it to the Fourth...
season with just two goals in sixteen League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
games, but had still done enough in his Port Vale career to justify a move into Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
football. The club reported Tony Pulis
Tony Pulis
Anthony Richard "Tony" Pulis is a Welsh former football player and is currently the manager of Stoke City. Pulis obtained his FA coaching badge at the age of 19, followed by his UEFA 'A' licence aged 21 – making him one of the youngest professional players ever to have obtained the qualification...
' Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
to The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
for an alleged illegal approach for the player, but accepted a bid from Hull City.
Hull City
In November 2005, Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
manager Peter Taylor
Peter John Taylor
Peter John Taylor is an English football manager and former player and current head coach of the Bahrain national football team...
signed Paynter on loan, then later negotiated a permanent transfer for an initial fee of £150,000 in the January transfer window. Team-mate Sam Collins also moved to Hull at the same time. Again, Paynter mainly played as a striker, but also made some appearances as a right midfielder. He scored three times in his 23 appearances, before moving on again at the end of the season.
Paynter also played for a Football League England U21 team (selected and managed by Peter Taylor) in a game against an Italian Serie B
Serie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
side, a match which took place at the KC Stadium
KC Stadium
The KC Stadium, often shortened to the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull , England. Conceived as early as the late 1990s, it was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately £44 million. It is named after the stadium's sponsors, telecommunications provider KC,...
in February 2006. Paynter played as a right-midfielder.
Southend
Paynter joined Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
on a three year contract on 7 August 2006 for an undisclosed fee, although he actually joined the Shrimpers a few days earlier on loan, to enable him to play in their match against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. He scored his first and what turned out to be only Southend goal in a 3–2 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
victory over Brighton. He lost his place in the first team due to a lack of goals.
Paynter's stay at Southend was brief, aided by a hamstring injury, and on the last day of the January transfer window of the 2006–07 season he was loaned out to Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
for a month. In all he made just eleven appearances for Southend.
Bradford City loan
Paynter made his debut for Bradford City against Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
on 3 February 2007 – he scored a last minute equaliser to earn the Bantams a 2–2 draw. He played fifteen times for Bradford, scoring four goals, after his loan was extended to the end of the season.
Swindon Town
In August 2007, Paynter signed for Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on transfer deadline day on a three year contract. He made his debut on 9 September, coming on as a substitute in a televised defeat against Yeovil
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
. He hit a hat-trick against Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in September 2007, and followed this up with a double against Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in a 5–0 win in early October 2007. In one week in January 2008 he scored a goal and an own goal in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
replay with Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, before he was sent off in a League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
game with Crewe Alexandara
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
.
Paynter made 42 league starts in the following 2008–09 season for Swindon, scoring eleven goals and providing vital support for the league's joint top-scorer Simon Cox.
Cox was sold to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in summer 2009, and Paynter was given a more prominent role in attack as a result of his departure. He netted fifteen goals in a seventeen match run from the end of November through to April. Paynter was named as the League One Player of the Month for January - an award he was also nominated for again in March - and at this point Paynter also entered negotiations over a new contract with Swindon. On 3 April 2010, Paynter scored a brace for Swindon in their 3–0 rout of Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
– the win gave Swindon some hope of achieving automatic promotion. He had also previously scored twice against Leeds that season in a 3–0 win at the County Ground. Swindon reached the League One play-offs, and won their play-off semi final after beating Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on penalties – Paynter had missed the first leg through injury, but returned for the second leg which saw Swindon edge into the final
2010 Football League One play-off Final
-Second leg:Charlton Athletic 3–3 Swindon Town on aggregate. Swindon Town won 5–4 on penalties.----Millwall 2–0 Huddersfield Town on aggregate.-Match details:Match rules:*90 minutes of normal time....
at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. He overcame a slight injury doubt and managed to play from the start in Swindon's 1–0 defeat to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, with Paynter being substituted late on in the second half. During the 2009–10 season Paynter also managed to form a formidable strike partnership with fellow striker Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Burnley. He was born in Hungerford, a market town near Newbury, Berkshire.-Non-League:...
, as the pair scored a total of 49 goals between them. In total Paynter scored 29 goals for Swindon during the 2009–10 season, representing his best goal scoring ratio in a single season.
2010–11 season
In June 2010, after turning down a new deal at Swindon Town, Paynter accepted a three-year deal with newly promoted Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He featured in both of Leeds' pre-season games in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
and scored his first goal for the club as Leeds defeated MFK Košice
MFK Košice
MFK Košice is a professional Slovak first division football club based in Košice. The club, founded in 1952, won the Slovak League twice, the Slovak Cup four times and the Czechoslovak Cup once. The most successful era of the club has been in 70's and 90's years of past century which they have...
1–0 on 16 July. On 23 July, it was reported that Paynter would be ruled out for two-months after reports surfaced he was suffering a stress fracture of the shin after picking up an injury during Leeds' pre season. The injury ruled him out of the rest of the pre-season campaign, with manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
claiming that no exact timescale has been put on Paynter's recovery from injury. Six days later Paynter was awarded the number 9 shirt for Leeds United during the 2010 squad number announcements, taking over from former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...
. He returned to training at the start of September, and played 90 minutes in Leeds' 3–1 behind closed doors friendly win against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in order to help gain match fitness. However, Paynter later suffered a reaction to his injury, keeping him out of action longer than expected.
Paynter made his long awaited comeback in reserve team action against Scunthorpe reserves. On 30 October, Paynter made his debut as a second half substitute in a 4–1 defeat of Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
. He made his Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
debut as a second half substitute against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on 9 November, before he made his full debut for Leeds against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 28 December. He scored his first goal for Leeds in a 2–1 win at Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
on 8 March. Leeds kept faith in Paynter for the following game against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, as he again kept his starting place at the expense of Luciano Becchio
Luciano Becchio
Luciano Héctor Becchio is an Argentine footballer who plays for Leeds United as a striker. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Becchio began his career at Boca Juniors before moving to Europe on an Italian passport, where he established himself in the Spanish lower leagues.He moved to England in the...
. He was given his first red card in a Leeds shirt in a 2–0 defeat at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 19 March. After an injury to Becchio, Paynter returned to the Leeds starting line-up in a goalless draw with Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
the following month. He had a poor debut season at Leeds, Scoring just once in 23 games, and was linked with a move to Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
rivals Sheffield United in the summer.
2011–12 season
Paynter scored his first goal at Elland RoadElland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
in Leeds' 3–2 pre-season victory against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. He came on as a substitute for Leeds on the opening day of the 2011–12
2011–12 Football League
The Football League 2011–12, called the Npower Football League, is the 112th season of the Football League. It began in August 2011 and will conclude in May 2012, with the promotion play-off finals....
season as they suffered a 3–1 defeat against Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
; he missed a chance to score when his one-on-one was saved by Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Geoffrey Davis is an English footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for newly-promoted Championship club Southampton. Born in Bedford, Davis began his career with Luton Town as a youth player in 1991 and remained there until 1999. Davis later played for Wimbledon, Ipswich Town and...
. Paynter was set to start against his former club Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
due to a striker crisis leaving him and Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for English football club Leeds United and the Scotland national team. His main position is as a Striker but he can also play as a Winger....
as the only available strikers at the club, however he missed the game through injury and also the match against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. His injury meant that Leeds signed Andy Keogh
Andy Keogh
Andrew Declan "Andy" Keogh is a Republic of Ireland International footballer who plays as a striker. He can also play as a winger. He is currently on loan at Championship side Leeds United from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers...
on loan to help cover the striking crisis at the club.
On 31 August, Paynter was given permission to speak with Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
regarding a move to the club. However decided to stay at Leeds and fight for his place at the club. With Luciano Becchio
Luciano Becchio
Luciano Héctor Becchio is an Argentine footballer who plays for Leeds United as a striker. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Becchio began his career at Boca Juniors before moving to Europe on an Italian passport, where he established himself in the Spanish lower leagues.He moved to England in the...
returning from injury and the signing of Mikael Forssell
Mikael Forssell
Mikael Kaj Forssell is a Finnish footballer who plays as a striker for Football League Championship team Leeds United and for the Finnish national team.-Club career:...
, Paynter fell further down the pecking order for Leeds and manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
hinted that he would allow Paynter to go out on loan.
After not playing since the opening day of the season for Leeds, In October reports circulated that several Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
clubs were interested in taking Paynter on loan. Manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
confirmed on 20 October that Leeds were looking to loan Paynter out, however they would not loan him to a rival club in the same division and were currently considering an offer from an unnamed League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side.
Brighton loan
On 27 October 2011, Paynter signed for Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on loan until 2 January 2012. He made his debut for the club on 29 October, as a second half substitute against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
International career
Paynter played for a Football League England U21 team (selected and managed by Peter Taylor) in a game against an Under 21 Italy squad containing players from Serie BSerie B
Serie B, currently named Serie bwin due to sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It is contested by 22 teams and organized by the Lega Serie B since July 2010, after the split of Lega Calcio that previously took care of both the...
side's, a match which took place at the KC Stadium
KC Stadium
The KC Stadium, often shortened to the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull , England. Conceived as early as the late 1990s, it was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately £44 million. It is named after the stadium's sponsors, telecommunications provider KC,...
in February 2006. Paynter played as a right-midfielder.
Honours
ClubSwindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
- Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Playoff Final: Runner Up 2009/10
Individual
- Port Vale F.C. Player of the YearPort Vale F.C. Player of the YearThe Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
: 20052004–05 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 2004–05 season was Port Vale's ninety-third season of football in the Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place... - Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Player of the Month: January 2010 (at Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
)
Career statistics
! colspan=2|League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
! colspan=2|FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
! colspan=2|League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
! colspan=2|FL Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
! colspan=2|Play-Offs
Football League Play-Offs
The Football League play-offs are an annual series of football matches to determine some of the promotion places within the Football League. Essentially, each division of the league offers a certain number of automatic promotion places to the top two or three clubs. A further promotion place is...
! colspan=2|Total>
2011–12 Football League
The Football League 2011–12, called the Npower Football League, is the 112th season of the Football League. It began in August 2011 and will conclude in May 2012, with the promotion play-off finals....
>
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
> 1
! 1 !! 0
2011–12 Football League
The Football League 2011–12, called the Npower Football League, is the 112th season of the Football League. It began in August 2011 and will conclude in May 2012, with the promotion play-off finals....
>
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
> 1
! 1 !! 0
2010–11 Football League
The Football League 2010–11, called the Npower Football League, was the 111th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2010 and concluded in May 2011, with the promotion play-off finals....
>
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
> 22
! 23 !! 1
! 23 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 24 !! 1>
2009–10 Football League
The Football League 2009–10, called the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, was the 110th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2009 and concluded in May 2010, with the promotion play-off finals. The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The...
>
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
> 44
! 52 !! 29
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
> 42
! 47 !! 12
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
> 36
! 40 !! 10
! 122 !! 45 !! 8 !! 3 !! 3 !! 3 !! 4 !! 0 !! 2 !! 0 !! 139 !! 51>
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
> 15
! 15 !! 4
! 15 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 15 !! 4>
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
> 9
! 11 !! 1
! 9 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 2 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 11 !! 1>
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
> 13
! 14 !! 0
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
> 9
! 9 !! 3
! 22 !! 3 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 23 !! 3>
2005–06 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was Port Vale's ninety-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League One. They finished in mid-table, and exited the League Cup at the First Round and the League Trophy at the Second Round. In the FA Cup, Vale made it to the Fourth...
>
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
> 16
! 17 !! 2
2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's ninety-third season of football in the Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place...
>
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
> 45
! 50 !! 13
2003–04 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2003–04 season was Port Vale's ninety-second season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the Second Division. Brian Horton resigned in February, and was replaced by Martin Foyle. Vale fought for promotion, but finished outside the play-off zone on goal difference...
>
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
> 45
! 49 !! 14
2002–03 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2002–03 season was Port Vale's ninety-first season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the Second Division. Another poor season, Brian Horton's side avoided relegation with a seventeenth place finish...
>
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
> 31
! 34 !! 5
2001–02 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2001–02 season was Port Vale's ninetieth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Second Division. On the pitch Vale finished in mid-table, whilst exiting both the FA Cup and the League Cup at the Second Round, and the League Trophy at the Area...
>
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
> 7
! 8 !! 0
2000–01 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2000–01 season was Port Vale's eighty-ninth season of football in the Football League, and first season back in the Second Division. A season of two halves, Vale were struggling at the bottom of the table when Isthmian League minnows Canvey Island knocked the Vale out of the FA Cup with a 2–1...
>
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
> 1
! 1 !! 0
! 144 !! 30 !! 6 !! 3 !! 3 !! 0 !! 5 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 158 !! 34>
! 334 !! 83 !! 16 !! 6 !! 8 !! 4 !! 9 !! 1 !! 2 !! 0 !! 369 !! 94>