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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
RUSSELL PAYNE
Russell Payne signed for Derry in 2001 from the Boston Bulldogs. He had played college football in the US and had been on the books of the New York Metrostars and AZ Alkmaar. He had also been capped at U-23 level for the USA.
He played 11 times that season, keeping five clean sheets and immediately won over the City support. Payne had an impressive 2001/2002 season where he was voted Goalkeeper of the Year, despite City's onfield struggles. However Payne left the Brandywell in the summer of 2002, announcing that he was returning to the US, but with rumours over a wage dispute. In all, Payne played over 60 games for City during his time on Foyleside.
Payne was well regarded as a keeper for the Candystripes, particularly for his shot stopping ability. Two games in particular stand out for me when I think of Payne's time at City. The first was the friendly against Real Madrid when Payne produced an outstanding performance, and kept to the score to a respectable 3-1 to the Spaniards
The second was in February 2002, when Payne saved two penalties from Trevor Molloy and Glen Crowe as City triumphed 3-2 in an epic League Cup semi-final against Bohemians. It was a midweek game in Dalymount and there was a smattering of City fans at the game, but those of us who were there won't forget the keeper's performance in a hurry. His display appeared to inspired the rest of the side, who were struggling in the League and they produced a supreme team effort to see City through to a final against Limerick
After leaving Derry, Payne reappeared in the colours of SV ELversberg 07, playing in the Regional Southern League in Germany. Payne spent the 02/03 and 03/04 at the German side.
He made a surprise return to the eircom League in July 2004 when he signed for Shamrock Rovers under Liam Buckley. However Payne failed to recapture the performances of his City days and indeed was responsible for a number of howlers during his time at the Hoops,leaving at the end of the 2004/05 season, having played 17 times.
Payne returned to the US and took up a coaching position at the University of Maryland. Payne had attended the college and was the starting goalkeeper there between 1993 and 1996. Payne was a star in American College football and helped Maryland to their first Atlantic Coast title in 1996. He returned as an assistant coach in 2005 and helped Maryland win their first NCAA title since 1968.
Payne's coaching contribution was recognised, and he was an assistant coach to the US U-20 side that travelled to Northern Ireland to compete in the 2006 Milk Cup.
CityWeb caught up with him recently at the University of Maryland, and he remembers his time at Derry City with great fondness:
"I will always look back on my time in Derry with extremely fond memories and will never forget how well the club, supporters and city treated me."
We hope to carry out a more in-depth interview for our iCandy podcast sometime in early 2007.
