Born: 7 November 1915, Cork
Died: 22 April 1987
Height: 5.08 ft
Weight: 10.09 st
Position: Full-Back
Representative Honours: Ireland: 4 Full Caps (1937-1938); Eire: 2 Full Caps (1946-1947); League of Ireland: 2 Caps.
Club Honours: (with Cork United) League of Ireland Champion; FAI Cup Runner-Up 1941/42, 1942/43.
Club Career:
Teams
|
Seasons
|
Signed
|
Fee
|
League
|
FA Cup
|
War-Time
|
Other
|
|
St
Vincent's
|
(Sheffield)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Huddersfield.T.
|
34/35-49/50
|
Apr-33
|
Amat.
|
184/5
|
14/0
|
53/4
|
-
|
|
Cork
United
|
-
|
-
|
Guest
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Burnley
|
49/50-50/51
|
Feb-50
|
-
|
12/0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTALS
|
-
|
£-
|
196/5
|
14/0
|
53/4
|
-
|
||
Biography:
"As tough as they come", Cork-born dual international full-back Billy Hayes moved to England as a youth. He learnt the game playing junior football in the Sheffield area before signing amateur terms with Huddersfield in June 1932. The following April he was awarded a professional deal and he made his League debut against Derby in August 1934, still just eighteen years-old.
Although it took him a few years to fully establish himself in the Terrier's first eleven, by the outbreak of World War Two Hayes was first choice right-back and recognised penalty taker. He had also been capped by the Irish FA, stepping in as a replacement for the legendary Bertie Fulton (with Everton’s Billy Cook switching to Fulton’s left-back role) for four internationals in 1937 and 1938.
During the War, Hayes initially remained in Yorkshire, playing in war-time football through the 1939/40 and 1940/41 campaigns. He then returned to his native Cork, and won Inter-League honours while playing with Cork United. He also helped the team to dominate the League of Ireland Championship and claim League of Ireland Shield and Munster Cup successes. He also played in two FAI Cup Finals, finishing runner-up on both occasions to Dundalk and Drumcondra.
After the War, Hayes returned to Huddersfield, and was honoured by the FAI, winning caps at left-back in a 1-0 defeat by England in September 1946 and a 2-0 defeat by Portugal in May 1947, both matches played at Dalymount Park. Ahead of the 1948/49 season Hayes retired, but was back playing again that September. He did eventually leave Leeds Road behind in February 1950 after fifteen war-interrupted years, all spent in the top-flight of English football. He joined Burnley, also a First Division side, but made the last of just twelve appearances against Newcastle in January 1951.
Also a gifted golfer, Hayes is recorded as having won the Professional Footballers' Golf Championship in 1949, having been the runner-up the previous year.ClaretsMad
SoccerScene.ie
Ireland Cap Details:
23-10-1937 England. H L 1-5 BC
10-11-1937 Scotland A D 1-1 BC
08-10-1938 Scotland H L 0-2 BC
16-11-1938 England. A L 0-7 BC
Summary: 4/0. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 3.
Eire Cap Details:
30-09-1946 England. H L 0-1 FR
04-05-1947 Portugal H L O-2 FR
Summary: 2/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.
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