Our popular Player Profile series is back ahead of the new Toolstation Northern Counties East League season and Handsworth captain Rikki Paylor opens the batting.
Name
Rikki Paylor
Age
27
Current Club
Handsworth
Previous Clubs
Ossett Albion, Ossett Town, Lincoln Moorlands Railway, Bridlington Town, Hemsworth Miners Welfare, Belper Town, Parkgate, Barton Town, Bottesford Town.
Position
Centre half / Central midfield
Day Job
Teacher
Best Mate in Football
You make loads of good mates, I’ve always stayed close with Jake Day since our days a Brid.
Team You Support
Liverpool
Football Idol
Calan Rollinson – How he conducts himself is exemplary, sticking to diet plans and living and breathing the game is inspiring. I’m lucky to work with him now too so I get to see that first hand.
Biggest influence on football career
My dad, got me into the game and always given good advice.
Career Highlight
Seeing my dad back in the stands this pre season after a serious illness, it trumps anything else by a mile.
Lowest moment in football
The pandemic without a doubt, it has been terrible a killer for players, fans, managers and volunteers all over.
Biggest regret in football
None really, I don’t think you can look back at it like that, you can’t change it.
Funniest moment in football
Luke Danville playing up top away at Kendal in the FA Cup and scoring a left foot half volley after 15 minutes as though he’d played up top for 15 years, has he mentioned it?
First semi-professional manager
Eric Gilchrist – Great bloke and was big for me in the early days at Ossett Albion.
Non League Debut
Fylde away for Ossett Albion (around 2011) – very good side at the time.
First Red Card in Non League
Never had one!
First and Best Non League Goal
First Goal – (79th minute) Equaliser for Lincoln Moorlands at Home to Barton Town (on March 3rd 2012).
Best Goal – Late winner away at Scarborough for Ossett Albion from about 25 yards (Ed. A thunderbolt according to Scarborough’s website).
What do you want to achieve in football in the future?
Promotion with Handsworth, the club have got the infrastructure to withstand a promotion and people have worked hard for a long time to get to this point.
Favourite Non League Ground
Spennymoor was always a good ground to play at, the trek wasn’t so good but definitely a good place to go and play.
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