NAME Alfie Payne

SHIRT NO. 14

POSITION CENTRE-midfield

Team you support?

Norwich City, the team my family supports and where I grew up. I had a season ticket during Norwich’s ‘yo-yo’ period… never a dull moment!

Footballing heroes?

I’ve always liked ball-playing midfielders, so Gerrard, Xavi Alonso and Andrea Pirlo were my favourites as a youngster.

Where do you play and what position is your best?
Central midfield. I’m versatile and can play as a 'box to box' but my best role is sitting just in front of the defence.

Can you play anywhere else?

I played a bit in all positions growing up. But, if I had to fill in somewhere now, it would be in defence. I'd love a go at wearing the No.9 shirt though!

First trip to Champion Hill?

With Braintree in 2022. My sister lived in Dulwich, so the whole family came. However, it didn’t end well for me: 1-0 down and chasing a late equaliser, a second yellow meant I got my first and only red card in Senior football!

How did you come to sign?


I got in contact with Mark over the summer as it was a move I was very keen on. It didn’t take long to sort out after that.

Previous clubs?

I grew up playing in Norwich City’s Academy. I was there from the age of eight to 20. In non-league, I've spent most of my time with Braintree Town, 
but also played for Kings Lynn Town and St Albans City.

Any trophies in the cabinet?

A couple! I won National League North with Kings Lynn in 2020/21 and the National League South Playoffs with Braintree in 2023/24 having won the Essex Senior Cup with them in 2023. I actually scored, what I thought was, the winner for Braintree in the Playoff Final before it was disallowed. Luckily we still went on to win the game so it was all smiles by the end! In 2024 at St Albans we won the Hertfordshire Senior Cup.

Best player you've ever played alongside and why?

Tough one! I’ve played with a lot of good players, but if you’re going off where they play now, it would probably have to be Max Aarons. A full back, who I grew up with at Norwich City and is currently at Rangers up in Scotland.

Toughest opponent?

I'd have to say Manchester City's Phil Foden, who I competed against when growing up playing youth football. They won 2-0 and he was by far the shortest player on the pitch, yet scored two goals – both headers – despite going up against our two 6ft plus centre-halves.

Best moment in football?

There are two that stand out. So, it's either being on the bench in the Championship for Norwich against Sheffield Wednesday the season that City got promoted to the Premier League, or winning the

playoffs with Braintree two seasons ago. Both were days I’ll never forget.

Best goal you've ever scored?

Unfortunately, it came in a preseason game for Braintree against QPR U23s. I stuck one in the top corner from outside the box! A competitive game? It would be at Villa Park in an U21 game – outside the box again, but not quite as nice.

Favourite moment since joining the Hamlet?


It has to be the opening day of the season. My first time walking out as a home player to a packed Champion Hill with the sun shining and then a 4-0 win against one of the 
title favourites – not a bad way to start the season!

Hopes and ambitions for this season?

Promotion.

Favourite stadium?

As a boyhood Norwich fan, it has to be Carrow Road.

Favourite other sports?

I’ve always loved playing all sports. I’ve had my golf phase, but I’m currently loving padel – the only issue is it’s so hard to get on a court here in London! (laughs)

Tell us something about yourself none of us know?

My skills might not be what they used to, but I can actually still play the saxophone...

Finally, if you could change one rule in football....?

In light of some recent games… the new rule where you can make five subs at five different intervals. When you’re chasing a game and a team makes all five changes across different stoppages it makes the game painfully slow and stop/start!

This article originally appeared in the Dulwich Hamlet Match Day Programme

You can download PDFs of previous issues here.