IT is fair to say that Mick Payne knows a player when he sees one.

The legendary goalkeeping coach has taught the likes of Brentford goalkeeper David Button, Crawley stopper Mike Jones and England Ladies goalkeeper Rachel Brown.

The A-licenced coach played for Chelsea in the 1970s and has spent time coaching at Crystal Palace’s and Dagenham & Redbridge’s academies.

He has worked with famous stoppers Bob Wilson, Pat Jennings and Tony Roberts and has helped a host of football stars realise their dreams.

And for the last decade he has dedicated his life to the England C coaching set-up, which looks at the best players in non-league football.

And Payne says she is impressed with what he sees in Essex.

“Essex has the potential to be a hotbed of talent for England C,” he said. “There are numerous players that have caught my eye in the county and what I will say is this is an opportunity if any of them is selected.

“A lot of players may not realise that they can make their mark on the international scene at this level, but that is not the case and it is great to see them develop and flourish.

“This is a good opportunity to look at young players in the lower leagues,” said 60-year-old Payne. “We look at the future of English football and have spotted a number of outstanding talents that have gone on to become professional footballers.”

These include the likes of Craig Mackail-Smith, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion for £3million having started off at Arlesey Town of the Southern Premier League, Sam Ricketts of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Andre Gray of Brentford (both formerly of Telford United) and Leeds United’s Steve Morison (formerly Bishop’s Stortford and Stevenage).

All of these and many more have gone on to play international football at the highest level and players even closer to home have started making an impression on the national team.

Thurrock manager Mark Stimson turned out to represent England C 12 years ago and most recently Concord Rangers’ goalkeeper Jamie Butler was called-up, only for his experience to be cut short by injury.

Payne said more than 100 players have played for England C, managed by Paul Fairclough, and gone on to sign professional contracts with Football League clubs.

Most recently it was Harry Beautyman, who signed for Peterborough United on loan from Welling three weeks ago.

And Payne says he will not be the last.

Payne was speaking while taking a look at East Thurrock United stopper David Hughes on Saturday.

Hughes made headlines for his superb display between the sticks at Hartlepool United in the FA Cup First Round last month.

Payne was also impressed with Rocks’ young skipper Tom Stephen on his visit to Rookery Hill for their game against Margate.

Payne is looking at players for next year’s first England C fixture against either Greece or Italy, although he says the nature of the selection process often means the best players don’t hang around for long.

“We can only pick players under 23 and once players go back into the Football League we can’t select them anymore,” he said. “But that is great because the players are getting the recognition they deserve and they can make steps in their careers.

“As a goalkeeping coach, there aren’t many keepers under 23 in the Conference or below that are available to us and that says two things.

“Firstly, not many managers at this level are prepared to give young English keepers a chance to show what they can do.

“Or, keepers are filtering down from the professional game into the non-league game and that is stifling young goalkeepers.”

Payne runs a goalkeeping course titled “The Art of Saving” and he says goalkeeping is an art that should be cherished.

“It is a special position,” he said. “It needs special coaching and it takes a special understanding between player and coach for it to be nurtured.

“Many have never played in goal and don’t understand how important and demanding it is. Any successful team has to have a successful goalkeeper.”

And, from the sounds of things, there could be a few of those in south Essex in years to come.