Charlie Paynter was born in Swindon in 1879. When he was a child his family moved to Plaistow. He played for Victoria Swifts but while still a teenager he developed an interest in physiotherapy and helped Tom Robinson who worked as a trainer at the Memorial Grounds. In the 1900-01 season Paynter joined West Ham United. However, he never played for the first-team and in a match against Woolwich Arsenal he sustained a knee injury which ended his career. The club appointed him reserve-team trainer. He was promoted to first-team trainer when Syd King was appointed as manager. The two men developed a very good partnership and achieved a great deal of success over the next few years. Paynter replaced King when he was sacked in 1933. Paynter remained the manager of West Ham United until 1950.