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Doubts were cast last week when he wasn’t in the side for a pre-season friendly against Blackburn, a fixture he would have been expected to relish. Now the news has been confirmed that he won’t be playing for them.
In a short statement, Keith Trudgeon a spokesman for the club said, "It has been announced that Andy Payton has left Stalybridge Celtic.
"After a chat with manager Dave Miller, Andy decided that it was in his and the club's best interests for him to ‘hang up his boots’. He did not feel that he could give the commitment that Stalybridge Celtic deserved and he did not want to string the club along.
"We'd like to thank Andy for his honesty and wish him all the best for the future.
"Dave Miller is hoping to announce the signing of a replacement prior to the start of the season."
So Payts has played his last game and scored his last goal. He last played for the Clarets when he came on as a late substitute in the FA Cup 3rd Round replay win against Grimsby whilst his last goal in first team football came for Blackpool at Bury just before Christmas 2001.
Stalybridge wish him all the best for the future and I’m sure we all join them in sending those best wishes.