Johnny Haynes is a former English international who operated as an inside forward, which was an attacking position that was popular during the late 19th and early 20th century. He is fondly remembered for his time at Fulham, where he spent 18 years and made more than 600 appearances. Haynes was popularly nicknamed as "the Maestro" During his playing days, with his two-footed passing ability, vision and deftness of touch making him a top player. The Maestro had also captained the English national side, and earned 56 caps with them. We will be looking back at his memorable career in this article.
Early beginnings
Born in Kentish Town, Johnny Haynes was the son of a post office engineer. Even though he supported Arsenal as a child, it was Fulham who signed him at the age of 15. He was eventually sent on loan to then non-League Wimbledon. It was 3 years later in 1952 that he made his senior debut for the club, as Fulham faced Southampton on Boxing Day. The club were also relegated back to the second division by this time.
Britain's first £100 player
The year of 1958 saw Haynes play in his first of two FA Cup semi-finals with Fulham. They were however unable to reach the finals, as they were eliminated in the replay match against Manchester United. The United side they faced included remnants of their legendary Busby Babes team that had been devastated by the Munich air disaster the month before.
Despite the loss, Fulham were still in a good place at the time. The club were promoted back to the top-flight, after finishing runners-up to Sheffield Wednesday in the Second Division. Fulham's return to the First Division was quite successful as well, with the club finishing in 10th place. It was their greatest ever final league standing until finishing 9th in the 2003–04 Premier League season.
The abolition of the £20 maximum wage in 1961 also led to Haynes becoming Britain's first footballer to earn £100 per week.
Haynes later took part in his second FA Cup semi-final in 1962, this time against Burnley. This tie ended up being replayed as well, and Fulham were yet again in the losing side of the fate deciding fixture.
A freak accident
It was in August 1962 that Johnny Haynes was unfortunately involved in a car accident. The aftermath of it led to the Englishman suffering broken bones in both feet and a badly injured knee. He missed the majority of Fulham's season, and was never the same player even after his comeback.
Prior to the accident, Haynes was captaining the England national side and was widely expected to lead them in the 1966 FIFA World Cup. However, he was never selected again for the national team after this deadly incident.
Final years
By the time it was 1968, Fulham had declined drastically and got relegated. It was during this period that Haynes had his only spell in football management. He took charge of Fulham for eighteen days in November that year after the dismissal of Bobby Robson as player-manager.
Fulham continued their decline under Hayes as well, with the club enduring a second successive relegation.
Haynes played one last time for Fulham's first-team on 17th January 1970 in a Third Division home match against Stockport County. The English eventually bid farewell to his beloved Fulham, having made 657 appearances for Fulham and scoring 157 goals.
The Maestro was a perfect example of choosing loyalty over success, and it was the only reason he didn't manage to win major trophies in his career. Hayes is widely seen as Fulham's greatest ever player, and will forever be remembered fondly by the club and their fans.
