Andy Payton, born on 23 October 1967 in England, is a forward for Stalybridge Celtic. This smaller than average player, standing at 5ft 6in (1.7m) and weighing 11st 13lb (76kg), began his football career back in 1985.
He first honed his skills at Hull City in the Championship, where he climbed the ranks over seven seasons, from 1985 to 1992, shooting 58 goals in over 140 appearances for the club. He then moved on to Middlesbrough in November 1991, where he played one season, scoring three goals in 19 league matches.
In August 1992, Payton joined Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, and it was here that he found his stride. During the 1992 - 1993 season, he made a significant impact, scoring 13 goals in 29 league appearances. His second season at Celtic was less prolific, with only two goals in seven appearances, but his contributions to the team certainly left their mark.
Departing Celtic in November 1993, Payton returned to England to join Barnsley in League One. Over three seasons there, he tallied a good 41 goals in over 100 appearances. His next move, in July 1996, was to Huddersfield Town, still in League One, for a reported fee of £330k. Although his two-season stint was short, he maintained a respectable scoring rate, netting 17 goals in his first season alongside five in the following one.
Payton then migrated to Burnley in the Championship in January 1998. It is notable that this period of his career saw some of his most potent scoring years, scoring 89 goals in 196 league games over six seasons. There was a short interlude in this time at Burnley, as he joined Blackpool in League One on loan in December 2001. Here, he appeared four times and scored once for the club.
He eventually returned to Burnley to finish his spell, before embarking on what appears to be the twilight stage of his career at Stalybridge Celtic in the Lower Leagues of England, where he is still playing today. Remarkably, despite jumping in and out of various leagues and clubs throughout his career, Payton has consistently managed to find the back of the net, illustrating both his natural talent and perseverance.
