Colts to revamp a programme that has slumped badly in the last two years. From a third place finish in the league and a Friendship Trophy win in 1995-96, the team failed to win a single league game the next season after a mass exodus of players following the departure of Herbie Bascome as coach. Paynter, who stayed in the First Division with Dandy Town to boost his chances of remaining in the national squad, has now committed himself to helping rebuild the football programme at the club. He and Cal Richardson are joint chairmen of the football committee. "I was very reluctant to go but my reason for going was that we weren't sure where the programme was going,'' said Paynter of his return to Dandy Town last season. "Obviously the national programme seemed as if it was going to be doing something.'' Now aged 30, Paynter wants to dedicate his energies towards lifting his home town team. Three seasons ago they looked to have turned a major corner and to have established themselves in the First Division. "My main objective now is my community,'' he stressed.

"I regret having had to leave but not going to Dandy Town. I had a mixed season (with Town). I wasn't able to commit myself fully because of personal commitments. "It would have been better if I was able to put more commitment into it.'' After the departure of about 10 first team players last season -- and a few more the season before -- St. George's fielded a team made up mostly of youngsters who were playing at the senior level for the first time. But they managed to reach the Shield final under coach Stephen Denbrook where they lost to Wolves. From his observations of the team, Paynter feels there is plenty to build on with the youth, especially with others expected to join the squad for the new season. "I saw quite a few games and I was very pleased,'' said Paynter who was coach in 1994-95 when the team qualified for the Martonmere Cup for the first time. "The team that they have there is a nice young group. They are very coachable and have bright futures for themselves if they stick with it and get the proper guidance.'' Paynter said the club were working on the coaching situation for next season with Denbrook given consideration. "My main objective is to get a positive programme going,'' said Paynter. "We're looking more in the long term, like a five year plan because our objective is not just to get promoted but to get a decent programme going. "The youth system is very good and we need a senior programme where we can filter these young players through.''