October 1, 1951
Jimmy Payne, Liverpool’s outside right, who was dropped from the Anfield team against Derby County on Saturday, has asked the club to place him on the transfer list. The matter will be considered by the directors at to-morrow’s board meeting.
I should imagine Liverpool will turn down his request. It would be surprising if they parted company with a player of his undoubted ability. True, Payne has not been at his best lately, but his form will return. He is not the first player to suffer a temporary loss of effectiveness, and won’t be the last.
Newcastle United are interested in Payne. Even in the unlikely event of Liverpool agreeing to let him go, however, I doubt whether the player would go so far away, and certainly not if it meant living in the North East. He and his wife moved into a splendid little house in Bootle only a couple of months ago, and have just got everything fixed to their liking.
At this early stage they have no desire to uproot themselves.
Payne’s request has been made because he feels that elsewhere he could command a regular first-team place. Otherwise he has no complaint. Apart from his own skill, another thing which will weigh with the board is that it is by no means certain that Bryan Williams will in the long run make the outside right berth his own. Liverpool are not likely to do anything in a hurry.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: October 1, 1951)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 