Stefan Payne is winning over the Shrewsbury Town doubters

Payne enjoyed a dream debut when he came off the bench to net the winner in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the Dale, just 24 hours after re-joining Town from Barnsley in a permanent deal.

The 26-year-old experienced a fractious relationship with certain sections of the fanbase due to injury and some indifferent performances during the early weeks of a loan spell in Shropshire last season.

But Payne believes supporters are now starting to see the best of him, as he aims to help Paul Hurst’s side maintain their sparkling early-season form.

“They (the supporters) didn’t take to me at the start, did they?” he laughed. “Hopefully now they’re seeing what I can do more and more each game.

“Hopefully I can build a bit of a relationship with them and keep going.

“For me it’s about showing them what I’m really about. Last year was a bit of a downward spiral when I got the injury but now I’m feeling fitter and stronger and hopefully I can show a hell of a lot more.”

He added: “It’s football really. It’s ups and downs. Last year I came here, got injured and it took a while for me to get my first goal.

“This year I’ve come here and scored within a few minutes, that’s just football.”

The former Fulham and Gillingham frontman, who has signed a two-year deal, is also eager to repay the faith shown in him by Hurst and assistant boss Chris Doig, after admitting he feels ‘loved’ at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

“It’s a very nice feeling to be bought here,” he said. “I feel very loved here and wherever you go, if you feel loved, you feel confident that you can produce on the pitch.

“They know how I can play so they play to my strengths, it’s a lot easier than a manager who isn’t really sure and doesn’t want to take a chance on you or doesn’t know what you can do.

“It can be hard then. It’s just nice to see the faith he’s showing in me and it brings more confidence on the pitch.”