On This Day – 13th April
Joe Payne is a name that will undoubtedly stand forever in the football history books. The reason being is that on this day back in 1936, Payne scored ten goals in a single match.
His goals were for Luton Town in a Division Three (South) match at home to Bristol Rovers. It remains the record number of goals scored by a player in a Football League match.
What makes the haul all the more incredible is that Payne wasn’t even supposed to be in the team in the first place! Several members of the Luton squad were injured and he was called up to play as centre forward. The Luton striker kept his place in the team and scored an incredible 83 goals for the club in just 72 appearances.
After a move to Chelsea and then West Ham United, the Second World War broke out and put a halt on Football League action until 1946. Injuries had also taken their toll and Payne was forced in to retirement.
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