Neil Payton
1973-2022

My younger brother Neil was born in Farnborough, Kent. He attended The New Beacon, where his interest in sport was nurtured. He joined Sevenoaks School in 1987 aged 13 as a member of Grote House. His love of sport flourished throughout his Sevenoaks years. In the Middle School. Neil was a member of the football, cricket and rugby 1st teams, and captain of his rugby team for three years in a row. In the Sixth Form he played for the 1st XI football team, and 1st XV rugby team for two years, becoming vice-captain in his final year. He was also part of the school’s rugby squad for the six-week round-the-world tour with matches in Zimbabwe, Australia and New Zealand. Outside school, he was a keen golfer and in his final year as a junior golf member at Knole Park Golf Club, he became junior captain.

After studying Economics at university, Neil based himself around London and worked in the City until 2022. He spent as much time as he could with his two sons, Finlay and Theo, and continued playing sport. In 2016 he married Penny and with his two stepdaughters, Amy and Katie, lived in the Shepperton area where he could always be found socialising with friends and family and enjoying life to the full.

Neil died on 29 June 2022 after a very short illness, surrounded by his family, and is greatly missed by all.

Trevor Payton (OS 1990)