Jack Payne Approaches 100 Appearances for Colchester United

Jack Payne will bring up a personal landmark this weekend – and he hopes it is only another step in a long Colchester United story.

The 31-year-old playmaker is set to make his 100th appearance for the U’s, a milestone he has never previously reached at a single club despite a career spent criss-crossing the EFL.

“It’s the first time I’ve actually played 100 games for one club,” Payne said. “It shouldn’t have taken this long, but I’m really glad to reach the 100 mark.

“I really enjoy myself here, and I want to make that many more. This is my third season here, and I’ve only ever done that once at any other club.”

From survival scrap to mainstay

Payne arrived in Essex in 2024 and quickly became the heartbeat of Colchester’s midfield. In his first season, 2024-25, he drove the side away from the trapdoor and out of relegation trouble, scooping the club’s player of the season award as they clung on to their Football League status.

His influence stretched beyond Colchester too. That same campaign he earned a place in the EFL League Two Team of the Year, recognition of a creative force who has delivered 22 goals and 18 assists across his 99 appearances so far.

The numbers only tell part of the story, but they do underline why Colchester have built around him – and why others have tried to prise him away.

Wanted man who chose to stay

Manager Danny Cowley revealed to BBC Essex that the club turned down bids for Payne in the summer window. Interest was real. Payne knew it.

“It’s nice to hear and I’m obviously doing something right if people from elsewhere are looking to pay money for you,” he admitted.

“I’d lie if I said it wasn’t flattering to hear about that, but that was never going to happen. I was always going to be here past the window, and hopefully past a few more windows.”

For a player whose career has been defined by movement, that matters. Payne has already worn the colours of Southend United, Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Swindon Town and Charlton Athletic, with loan spells at Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers, Bradford City and MK Dons sprinkled in between.

“I’ve moved more often than I would have liked over the years for various different reasons,” he said. “I’ve felt settled here and hopefully I can be here for many more seasons.

“The supporters have taken really well to me, and the club really suits me.”

A quiet spell, but no panic

This season has started in a slightly frustrating way on the stats sheet. Payne set up Colchester’s first League goal of the campaign in the 2-2 draw at Accrington, but he has not added another goal or assist in the five matches since.

He is not losing sleep over it.

“I never worry about those things as I know as long as I’m available and I’m playing goals and assists will come,” he said. “It’s just about making sure I’m available, making sure my performances are good and I feel good in myself.”

For Payne, the 100-game mark is not a finish line. It is proof he has finally found somewhere to put down roots – and a platform to shape what comes next for both himself and Colchester United.