Payton retires
ANDY PAYTON has retired from professional football at the age of 35.
The Burnley man had joined Stalybridge Celtic after leaving Turf Moor at the end of last season, but decided he could not give the non-league club the right level of commitment.
The veteran striker was a hero for Burnley, returning to the area he grew up in and endearing himself to the Clarets' faithful supporters with a steady stream of goals.
Payton steadily found himself pushed out of first-team contention in his last two seasons for the club, and decided to leave at the end of the last campaign.
Stalybridge have confirmed that after an amicable discussion Payton, nicknamed the Padiham Predator, would not be taking up a position at the club and would retire from playing entirely.
