Ernest PAYNE

Ernie Payne of Worcester St John’s CC won the quarter-mile and 1 mile at the 1905 NCU championships, repeated the double in 1906 and 1907 he won the 1 mile title for the third successive year. In 1908 he placed no better than fourth in the NCU 1 mile but three weeks later he won a gold medal in the team pursuit at the Olympic Games. Payne was also an outstanding football player, winning a Birmingham League medal with Worchester City and playing 11 games for Manchester United, usually when the great Billy Meredith was on international duty.