Non League Yorkshire

Player Profile – Rikki Paylor

Rikki Paylor is the captain of Handsworth

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.

Signing for Hemsworth
Rikki Paylor playing for Parkgate
Rikki Paylor in action for Barton in 2013

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

Rikki Paylor gets out of bed each morning to be inspired by Calan Rollinson

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

Hemsworth Miners Welfare joint manager and centre-back Luke Danville once had a successful stint as a striker

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 was manager of Ossett Albion for ten years and he gave Rikki Paylor his first chance in Non League football

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 

Rikki Paylor was the once the thunderbolt hero for Ossett Albion. Picture: Adam Hirst

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?

Influential Handsworth captain Rikki Paylor heroically puts his body on the line for Russ Eagle’s men. Picture: Ken Allesbrook

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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Take a look at our previous Player Profiles HERE

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