Denbigh Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of defender Owen Payne from Llay Miners Welfare.

The 23-year-old becomes the third signing of the summer, having spent time playing in both Wales and England.

“I’m pleased to welcome Owen to the club, he’s someone we’ve known about for a while” said manager Dewi Llion.

“He’s played in the Cymru Premier and was part of a Cymru North side that won the title with Airbus, so brings invaluable qualities to us this season”.

Upon signing Payne commented “I’m really pleased to be joining Denbigh and can’t wait to get started.

“The club has a number of projects on and off the pitch with what will be one of the best facilities in the country, and a great squad to match it.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there, working with Dewi, the coaching staff and rest of the boys”.

Payne spent time as a youngster at the academy with Wrexham before joining Airbus UK Broughton. He made his debut for the Wingmakers as a substitute against Llanfair United in the Nathaniel MG Cup in August 2019.

He made his debut in the JD Cymru Premier a few weeks later from the bench away at Cefn Druids. He totalled 10 appearances in his first season in senior football, with eight of them coming in the top tier in Wales.

Airbus suffered relegation to the JD Cymru North in 2020, and in 2021, Payne became a regular for the side, making 21 appearances for the Wingmakers as they earned promotion back to the Cymru Premier. He added 23 more appearances in the top flight before making his first senior move in the summer of 2023.

His next stop was with Litherland REYMA in the North West Counties Football League, where he spent a season, before signing for Llay Welfare last summer.

Payne made 37 appearances for the Welly in all competitions in Llay’s sole season in the JD Cymru North and now makes the move to Central Park.

Welcome to Denbigh, Owen!