If one word can be used to describe life member Russell Payne it would be 'legend'.

After missing out on selection for the Waitaki Boy's High School 1st XI he made his way to Union making KGP his home for just over three decades. During that time he acquired most of the Senior batting records including the highest aggregate by well over 4500 runs, and highest aggregate in a season scoring 721 club runs in 1968-69, which when you include his runs for North Otago was over 1000 runs for the season.

His career included 129 catches, second only to wicketkeeper Robert Bowman and 47 senior wickets.

Although his 266 games may be broken in the future it is still an astonishing record considering that by far the majority of these matches would have been two day cricket.

He bought up his highest score in Union colours in the 1966 Easter tour match against Naseby, scoring 176 in a comprehensive 206 run victory. With the majority of his Easter tour stats having been collected he holds the record for most number of runs during the tour.

It wasn't just as a player that he made contributions to club, he was also active on a number of club committees holding many different positions including President from 1976-1980. He was rewarded with his years of service to club, becoming a life member in 1988, and has also rewarded for his contribution to North Otago Cricket being a life member of the Association as well.

After retirement has still maintained an active involvement in cricket in North Otago being the groundsman for Whitestone Stadium and regularly attending Union Senior games along with ex-players Edward 'Ted' Tempero, Barry Compton and Robert 'Bob' Pile. As acknowledgement of his contribution to North Otago Cricket the new Challenge Cup for Senior teams in 2007 was named after him and Edward Tempero.

He was further rewarded for his dedication to cricket when in 2009 he was presented with an ICC Medal. (Jan 2010)