HE may only have been on the pitch for a matter of minutes but Saturday's match against Watford was an historic one for Clarets hero Andy Payton.

The 34-year-old "Padiham Predator" has not started a league game this season but his 11th appearance from the bench this season means he has now played 500 league games in a long and successful career.

It is Payton's second milestone in a month as his goal against Barnsley was the 200th league goal.

Not bad for a player who was reduced to tears by John Bond when he was released as a boy in the mid-80s.

The former pupil at Gawthorpe High School, no further than a Nik Michopoulos punt from the club's training ground, had to come to terms with rejection but he did it in the best way possible, by proving himself away from the club.

"What did I do when I was released by Burnley? I went home and I cried," he admitted. "I wasn't just another young hopeful, I was a Burnley supporter.

"With my brother David, I watched Burnley home and away for season after season. My dream was to play for the club, but suddenly in the space of a few minutes on one day the dream was in ruins.

"The fact that I was local seemed to count against me. Had I spoken with a Geordie or Scouse accent I might have had a better chance. Sounds daft, but that's how it seemed at the time."

But now he is back at Turf Moor after a career of scoring goals for Hull City, Middlesbrough, Celtic, Barnsley, Huddersfield and, at last, his beloved Burnley.

He has struck 69 times in the claret and blue since he was signed by Chris Waddle during his one season in charge.

His goals have helped stave off relegation, then win promotion and now he hopes to be able to contribute to a push towards the top flight.

Three of his four goals this season have come from the penalty spot but his hunger for goals and success is undiminished.

And if he can play a part in helping his club back to the big time, no one will be happier.