Liam Payne rents football ground for Soccer Aid warm-up thanks to ex-Premier League ace

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One Direction superstar Liam Payne rented out a non-league football ground to get in some practice ahead of this year's Soccer Aid match.

The pop star consulted his friend and former Premier League player Greg Halford about the possibility of loaning Billericay Town's New Lodge stadium. Halford, who has played in the top flight for the likes of Wolves and Sunderland, signed for the non-league side recently and is said to have been the middle man in the deal.

Payne, 28, is certainly taking Soccer Aid seriously. The annual charity football match pits a group of celebrities and former professional players and sees them face off with proceeds from the event going to charity. Payne will this year captain the England side against the Rest of the World, who will be skippered by Athletics' king Usain Bolt.

A source told the Sun newspaper: “Liam asked Greg on the off-chance him and some pals could use the pitch and Greg got the wheels in motion. He didn’t look too bad considering he has been telling people he’s nervous to be captaining England in such a big game. Him and his mates got stuck in and he was left with a bleeding knee but no lasting damage. Liam looked in good nick.”

Payne took to Instagram earlier this week, admitting he "doesn't play football".

He said: “I’ve been doing some training, getting ready for England. Come on