The Sydney Swans are mourning the loss of our dear friend, longtime team manager John Payne, who died on Sunday just one week shy of his 77th birthday.

John’s contribution to, and love of, the Sydney Swans - indeed, Australian Football in New South Wales - is impossible to overstate.

His role as team manager required fastidious attention to detail, sublime organisational skills, and the ability to successfully herd forty-odd players and staff through airports, onto buses, and on and off the interchange bench at precisely the correct moment. But these things are not primarily what we will remember John for.

We will remember him for his fierce loyalty, his absolute love of everyone involved with the Swans, and his steadfast friendship. Quite simply, we will miss him terribly.

Born in Gawler, South Australia, John developed a love for footy at a young age, barracking for Sturt, where his uncle played, and Essendon because they happened to have a completely unrelated Payne on their list.

John played for both Sturt and Central Districts in the SANFL Colts competition, but claimed to have been “just an ordinary footballer with a deep love of the game”. His future lay not in the SANFL, but elsewhere, and we’re glad that was the case, as ultimately it was work which brought John to Sydney in his capacity as National Development Manager for Amoco.

First order of business when he arrived in New South Wales was to find some involvement with football. So it was that in 1980 he became team manager for the Baulkham Hills Under 11s before coaching the Under 13s to an undefeated premiership. For four years he was Vice-President of Baulkham Hill Seniors in the Sydney Football Association, overseeing their promotion to the Sydney Football League. John was a Life Member of the club, an honour of which he was justifiably extremely proud.

In 1994, during some of the Swans’ leanest years, John started Club 31, a small coterie group which aimed to give some financial aid to the club. Of this initiative, he once recalled, “I got a few of my mates together, we put in $100 each, and once a month we would take Ron Barassi out to a No-Names restaurant where we’d have pasta and wine, and tell stories (or lies!). They were terrific events.”

Those coterie lunches were the beginning of his long formal association with the Swans. Club 31 evolved into the Redbacks coterie group, of which John was President for a time. He stepped down from that role in 1997, however, whewas approached to take on the role of Reserve Grade team manager, a position he held for two years before being invited to perform the same role for the Senior team. Along with Adam Goodes, he made his senior debut in round one, 1999.

From co-ordinating activity in the change-rooms and on the interchange bench on match-day to ensuring all runs smoothly during interstate – and occasionally international – trips, a team manager’s tasks are many, varied, and frequently stressful. John approached each of them with absolute professionalism, enthusiasm and an unfailing sense of humour.

John was the consummate professional, and expected everyone around him to be the same. Woe betide anyone who stepped out of line or failed in their responsibilities! He was utterly determined to ensure that his contribution gave the team the best possible environment for success.

But he never lost sight of the most important aspects of football club life - camaraderie and friendship. One of John’s greatest legacies was establishing the legendary “House of Payne”, which became an institution on away trips. At the gatherings of staff and assorted Board members in John’s room, lifelong friendships were formed, problems were solved, plans were made. And a Crown Lager or two may have been consumed. Memories of the House will remain with all those involved, and will never fail to bring a smile to their faces.

When John retired from his position at the close of the 2018 season due to his failing health, his career statistics were astonishing. 475 senior AFL games including 38 finals and five grand finals for two premierships.

Always self-effacing, John expected no credit or praise for his hard work and the long hours he dedicated to his demanding role. Instead, he was full of praise for those with whom he worked. In particular the first Reserves coach with whom he worked, Dennis Carroll, and the three Senior Coaches of his tenure - Rodney Eade, Paul Roos and John Longmire. He credited Football Department heads Steve Laussen, Andrew Ireland, Dean Moore and Tom Harley with making him a great team manager, saying they provided him with enormous support and guidance.

John treasured his years with the Swans. His prized possessions were the match-balls from his 300th, 350th and 400th games, presented to him in recognition of his milestones. Long after he had left the pressures of the interchange bench behind, one of his greatest joys was reminiscing about the wonderful times he had shared with colleagues, in pursuit of a common goal. with a common goal. He was most grateful for the friends he made and the fun he had.

And we remain grateful for him. Rest easy, old friend. Vale, John.

Tributes to John

The role of manager of a senior football team, in this case an AFL one, is far more challenging and multifaceted than most people appreciate.  While it’s predominantly focused around match day, there is often an enormous amount of detail that takes place in the preceding and often following week. Often without virtually any warning.

 To undertake the role and last as long as John did it took extraordinary resilience, energy and really an obsession, or dare I say love, for the club and the people who comprised it, and I think the game as a whole.

Because of the Team Manager’s close proximity to the coaching staff on match day, either physically or electronically, he virtually lives in the heat of battle and shares their highs and lows. At the other extreme, especially after a win, the team manager is often the butt of players’ practical jokes. And if he’s not then he probably isn’t the right person for the job.

In my time in the role of Chairman we were so blessed to have two of the greatest Team Managers a club could ever hope to have. The great Geoff Polites. And then the great John Payne.

- Richard Colless, Chairman 1993-2013

To me John absolutely epitomised what you love about football clubs like the Swans - people working tirelessly and passionately together to achieve a common goal, which was always John’s mantra.

Given the Team Manager role required high levels of compliance to rules and timings on interstate trips and match days his role was pivotal - it also led to plenty of playful challenges with the players, who built an incredible relationship with John, and many would say they genuinely loved him.

For over 20 years John was a pivotal part of the Swans football family, even though the Team Manager was a part time role and he had an important full time job in commercial property. He had a big personality but in a very humble way, had a great sense of humour, was generous but had little regard for those he thought weren’t fully committed to the cause.

John was an incredible friend, and knowing him and working with him has been one of the highlights of my time at the Swans.

- Andrew Ireland, Head of Football 2002-2009, Chief Executive 2009-2018.

As coaches, Rodney Eade, Paul Roos and myself all relied heavily on Payney. From making sure that everyone was on the countless flights and buses, to submitting the teams before games and letting us know how much time we had left at the breaks, right through to running the interchange during the game, Payney did it all. He was also the players' “chaperone” when the end of season trips were a thing.

He was the ultimate team man, who did any job that the club needed him to do. Not only did he do the many jobs, he did them for absolutely nothing and with a smile on his face. He was an incredibly selfless person - one who was a critical part of the furniture of our club for so long.

He was also a good friend.

 The players and staff loved him, probably even more than he loved the club. Although the bus drivers were a bit frightened of him when they often took strange routes to the games!

 The House of Payne was an institution.

 RIP, Payney. We all love you, mate. Deepest condolences to John's family.

- John Longmire, Senior Coach

The players and coaches get all the credit and recognition, and perhaps that will always be the case. But every one of those same players and coaches know the club is made up of so many incredible people. John Payne was one of those unsung heroes. Payney was the heart and soul of the football department and his very presence bought a huge smile to so many faces.

I have so many fond memories of John. There were the bus trips, the dinners, the functions and the games. Payney seemed to be everywhere. His smile was infectious and he was never taking himself too seriously. Which certainly the players took advantage of. 

My eldest son Dylan- 10 at the time - reminded me the other day about when Davo egged Dylan on to lock Payney in the bus toilet. Of course Dylan and Davo, about the same level of maturity, thought it was hilarious. John however was claustrophobic and terrified when they finally let him out. I made Dylan apologise and he still feels embarrassed by the prank - I'm sure Davo still thinks it’s funny! 

I guess this typified John, he was there for the love of the club and above all the love of the players. Even Bally breaking his ankle couldn’t dampen John’s spirit. 

We love you, John, and you will always have a special place for you in our hearts.

The Bloods is the Swans and the Swans is John Payne. 

 - Paul Roos, Senior Coach 2002-2010

John Payne was OCD, fastidious and set in his ways but that was what we loved about him and that was what made him a great team manager and institution at the Swans. You knew exactly what you were going to get from him, especially in response to every inane or stupid question you might have had to ask him. His favourite response heard many times over being “Geez, it ain’t that hard!! “ Or his supposed fear of flying so that the ground staff would notify the cabin staff that he needed a beer before takeoff and somehow he got it.

But his “set in his ways” personality also applied to his friends. If you were his friend, well that that was locked in forever and would never change. He was so loyal to everyone who knew him well. Those of us who were lucky enough to call him our friend will talk about his quirks and John Payne-isms for years to come. And that’s the mark of a great man, in that your character never dies.  Go in peace JP.

- Nathan Gibbs, former Club Doctor.

The great John Payne

A strong work ethic to get things done selflessly and without fuss.

High standards and a creature of routine.

Always pragmatic, totally suited to his role as the bloke who made game-day run like clockwork.

The big full forwards - Barry & Buddy - loved to push his buttons, in ways that only they would get away with.

A truly great friend who provided an environment on away trips for us to bond, plan, celebrate and commiserate. He believed in the House of Payne and managed it for the benefit of all.

A truly great friend who always had wise life advice and a top memory for useless South Australian football facts.

Payney will be missed for all his eccentric statements and behaviours, and most importantly the glue he provided for all our friendships.

RIP, my friend.

- Matt Cameron, former Club Physiotherapist.

John Payne: a person who had many loves: detail, routine and order, his mighty Swans, a Crownie and a Pinot, but most of all, his people. You brought us all together, JP, and you knew how to get stuff done. So many great memories, thanks for everything. Love ya mate.

- Rob Spurrs, former Elite Performance Manager.

John Payne was truly one of the most loyal people you would ever meet. From my first game as a 19 year old when I was a bit frazzled and left my phone on the Swans’ team bus heading to the game - John just calmly said to me, “You worry about playing, I will get it sorted for you.” He always had our backs.

We all shared so many awesome moments with Payney, including the times he was chaperone on overseas footy trips.

When he said he was writing his memoirs over a beer in Marrickville quite recently, we thought he could take us all down in a tell-all book!

And although he was somewhat terrorised at times by the boys on our regular away trips, it was always done in good fun and came from our love of him as a great clubman.

We will miss you, Payney. Rest in peace, mate.

- Jude Bolton, player 1999-2013.

John Payne became a dear friend to me when I moved to Sydney. My first impression of John was on my first away trip with the Swans team. He was grumpy, agitated and gave me one of the worst greasies I have ever seen. I arrived at the airport 2 mins after the desired arrival time and had lost my boarding pass. None of this was a problem to Virgin airline staff, who happily printed me a new ticket, 90 minutes before we were due to board the plane. I told John to relax and he told me I was "an f@$%ing idiot". From that moment on I knew we would be close mates.

John was my roommate for 7 years. He could be gruff, cranky and sometimes quite rude. He didn’t suffer fools, bus drivers or incompetent hotel managers. He was dismissive of nearly every sport except AFL and delighted in referring to either of the rugby codes as ‘sniff arse’. He only ever travelled with carry-on luggage as he never wavered from wearing Swans’ kit, even, frustratingly, when we chose to mingle with the general public at a coffee shop or café. He would delight in proudly walking the

streets in his Swans polo and back in the early days when he would go out for an early run, could always be spotted shuffling along in full Swans’ training uniform.

Great clubmen should always be judged by one key characteristic, all of their energy and effort go towards making life easier for the players and improving their chances of consistent, optimal performance. “it’s not about me”, he would say – and that was John’s greatest feature.

As his roomy, I didn’t have to travel to attend the House of Payne. He loved gathering his crew and providing an environment where banter, problem solving and strategising would take us very often into the wee hours but he never let anything get in the way of the processes that would allow the players to perform at their best when it mattered.

Behind the gruff exterior and his regular calling a spade a shovel, he was incredibly generous, kind-hearted, loyal and compassionate. His Swans friendships were very important to him and in recent years he would delight when a House of Payne lunch was floated then organised via our WhattsApp group. Like all great team players, he brought good people together and revelled in the camaraderie and collective

achievement. We’ll miss you mate.

- David Misson, former Elite Performance Manager.

With a giant heart and a passion to the end for the Sydney Swans, John Payne had a sharp wit that could cut you like a knife if you started to talk nonsense. Small talk and gossip were not his things, he was a big picture man, keeping his eye on the goal at all times.

Whether it was getting the team to the stadium on the bus, making match-day run like clockwork, even when winning and losing iconic grand finals, John never wavered in his routines.

John was a giant hearted man. That shone through with his firm, no nonsense, straight to the point temperament. He was a genuinely loyal friend to many of us, he called a spade a spade, had a heart of gold, and he always had your back.

And he always had time for a glass of red or two, accompanied by endless chats he quickly steered to his favourite footy team, the Sydney Swans, with never a bad word to say about anyone. John is a true legend who will stay in our hearts forever.

- John Cook, longtime club doorman.