Colin Payne has enjoyed a passionate involvement with football.

He has been manager of four Ryman League clubs, player-manager of another and has enjoyed a fair measure of success.

But now he's facing his toughest task to date, reviving the flagging fortunes of Edgware Town, beset with problems on and off the pitch.

"I am looking forward to the challenge," said Payne. "We're only ten points off the top six slot that would see us promoted."

Payne had been out of the game since the end of last season after parting company with Boreham Wood.

"Edgware chairman Paul Karaiskos contacted me to inquire if I was interested in becoming their manager," he said.

"I knew Paul from our schooldays, but I felt that it might be too soon for me to return to management. Then I saw how desperate Edgware's situation was and agreed to give it go."

The situation was indeed dire. Two weeks ago former boss John Harding and all but three of his first-team squad walked out of the club because players were in danger of not being paid due to a financial crisis.

However, chairman Karaiskos took temporary charge and was forced to play reserve team players even playing himself in a midweek defeat at Bracknell three days later.

But after a cry for help, he has recruited Payne to take up the reigns.

Payne, who has managed Ruislip Manor, Harrow Borough, Chertsey Town and Boreham Wood and been player-coach of Berkhamsted Town, spent a hectic few days signing several players on loan for the home league game with Clapton on Saturday.

He said: "It was like a first pre-season friendly I spent half an hour before the match introducing the players to each other.

"Not surprisingly, we could not get together as a team in the first half and were a goal down. We improved in the second half, but were beaten 1-0."

Payne's recruiting campaign has continued with the signing of seven more players, Cedric Jack (right back, Harrow Borough); Nilton Fernandez (midfield, Chertsey Town); Danny Gruar (midfield, Boreham Wood); Phil Simpson (midfield, Boreham Wood); Warren Bayliss (striker, Chertsey Town); and Marcus Sawyer (left wing, Harrow Borough).

Edgware have a good chance to halt their slide on Saturday when they visit bottom club Camberley who have won just twice this season.

December 5, 2001 11:11

JOHN POLLARD