Former Burnley striker Payton links up again with Stan!
The 43-year-old has taken over the reins at East Lancashire League side Burnley Grammar School Old Boys, after replacing Dan Ternent, son of former Burnley boss Stan Ternent, in the hot seat.
But, while Ternent Junior will remain as assistant, Payton admits he was delighted to have Stan beside him as a temporary mentor. The 65-year-old, who guided the Clarets to automatic promotion from the old Second Division in the 2000 season, was on the sidelines during the 4-3 loss to Feniscowles and Pleasington at the weekend.
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Hide Ad“Stan came and it was great to have him there,” said Payton. “He’s given me a few tips which is obviously helpful because he knows the game inside out. But Stan’s got scouting commitments with Sunderland on top of other things, so he probably won’t be there every game, but it was nice to have him there. It was like a reunion.”
Payton has also drafted in the services of former Burnley winger Paul Smith, while bolstering his squad with another three fresh faces for the local derby against Worsthorne today.
“Paul played on Saturday and his quality stuck out like a sore thumb,” said Payton. “He really stood out. We’ve got Worsthorne today and there’s supposedly a bit of a rivalry there so I’m looking forward to it.”
And Payton, who enjoyed success while coach at Burnley Ladies, is ready to step things up a notch in a bid to lift his new side off the foot of the table following their promotion from the Second Division last year.
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Hide AdHe said: “I’ve taken the last two training sessions so I’ve got to know the lads a bit now. I just want to step everything up a bit and hopefully get them training twice a week so we can fit more in. That will hopefully help step things up on the pitch as well.”
And the Padiham Predator hasn’t ruled out donning his shooting boots just yet: “I’m caught in two minds at the moment. I was itching to get on at the weekend but I don’t want to get in the way of these younger players.
“I’ll see how it goes and who knows, there may be a time when I’m needed. But at the minute I’ve had my time and it’s best to pass my experience on in other ways. I’m just happy to be involved again.”