Stefan Payne
Encyclopedia
Stefan Steve Payne is a footballer, whose favoured position is striker and is currently playing for Gillingham
.
youth team during 2008 and 2009 and impressed Sutton United
officials during a youth league game against the team. In the Summer of 2009, Payne signed a contract with Sutton for the 2009-10 season. He made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick in the club's first league game of the season, a 4–0 win over Margate
.
He quickly attracted attention from Football League
scouts. In September 2009, Fulham
offered Payne and Sutton a contract. It was thought to be worth a six-figure-sum for Sutton. Although Fulham could not officially sign a player outside the transfer window, Payne joined the reserve squad in October. He played many games for them but did not break into the first team.
During the 2010 close-season, Gillingham
manager Andy Hessenthaler
revealed his eagerness to sign Payne, eventually joining Gillingham on a free transfer in June 2010, signing a two-year contract. Payne played several pre-season friendlies and made his first professional football appearance in the first league game of the season, against Cheltenham Town
. In February 2011, Payne went to Braintree Town
on a one-month loan, and scored a hat-trick in his second appearance to help beat Basingstoke Town
5–2.
Payne scored his first goal for Gillingham in the 6–1 away win over Hereford United
on 17 September 2011.
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...
.
Playing career
Payne played for CroydonCroydon F.C.
Croydon F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in Croydon, London, England. Until 2006, they played in the Isthmian League, but lost their place in that league as part of the 2006 re-structuring of non-league football, and now play in the Combined Counties League. They play at...
youth team during 2008 and 2009 and impressed Sutton United
Sutton United F.C.
Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane....
officials during a youth league game against the team. In the Summer of 2009, Payne signed a contract with Sutton for the 2009-10 season. He made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick in the club's first league game of the season, a 4–0 win over Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
.
He quickly attracted attention from Football 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...
scouts. In September 2009, Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
offered Payne and Sutton a contract. It was thought to be worth a six-figure-sum for Sutton. Although Fulham could not officially sign a player outside the transfer window, Payne joined the reserve squad in October. He played many games for them but did not break into the first team.
During the 2010 close-season, 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...
manager Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler
Andrew "Andy" Hessenthaler is an English football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as manager of Gillingham. Hessenthaler began his career in non-league football and did not turn professional until he joined Watford at the age of 26...
revealed his eagerness to sign Payne, eventually joining Gillingham on a free transfer in June 2010, signing a two-year contract. Payne played several pre-season friendlies and made his first professional football appearance in the first league game of the season, against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
. In February 2011, Payne went to Braintree Town
Braintree Town F.C.
Braintree Town F.C. is an English football club based in Braintree, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference National and play their home matches at Cressing Road.-History:...
on a one-month loan, and scored a hat-trick in his second appearance to help beat Basingstoke Town
Basingstoke Town F.C.
Basingstoke Town Football Club is an English football club based in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Camrose, named after their late benefactor, Lord Camrose. Their motto, 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', means 'No stepping...
5–2.
Payne scored his first goal for Gillingham in the 6–1 away win over Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
on 17 September 2011.