New Peterhead recruit Niah Payne has safely returned to his home in Leeds as the Blue Toon are unsure when they will return to training and playing games. The Scottish FA shut all football outside of the Premiership and Championship down on January 11 for at least three weeks and Balmoor manager Jim McInally believed that it was important that Payne spent time with his family as opposed to living in Scotland on his own.
Payne who was a youth player at Bradford City and played non-league football for Shaw Lane, Goole and Bridlington was all set for his debut in Scottish football against Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Cup on January 9 after signing that morning following a trial period.
With no return date confirmed it was felt that it was in the 22-year old’s best interest to return home and keep himself in shape by using training materials supplied by the club’s fitness coach Stuart Hogg.
Jim said: “It was not a time for Niah to be up here on his own and not being able to mix with his new playing colleagues or play games. Returning to Leeds where he has friends and family nearby is the right thing to do and we will see him again once the restrictions are lifted.”
