Ex-Prem striker, age 50, set for 35th season and signs for 9th tier club

Ex-Prem striker Barry Hayles, age 50, gets set for his 35th season in football as he signs for 9th tier club Windsor FC recently.

He is still in tip top condition after turning out for the Combined Counties outfit in a pre-season friendly this summer.

After making his semi-professional debut in the Isthmian League Premier Division way back in 1994, Hayles is now ready to compete again on the pitch.

A player-assistant manager at Merstham last season, the veteran forward departed following relegation from the same division in which he started his career, joining former side Windsor as part of their backroom staff – however negotiations are still ongoing as to whether Hayles combine his off-field duties with a squad role.

🅱🅰🆁🆁🆈’🆂 🅱🅰🅲🅺

YES!!! The man, the legend, Sir Barrington of Hayles is back!!

Barry Hayles has agreed to return as part of Mick Woodham’s backroom staff for the new season.

Negotiations are still on going as to whether he will pull a kit on again!!#WelcomeBarry pic.twitter.com/4TOQu0mpmi

— Windsor FC 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@windsorfc) July 13, 2022

The announcement of Hayles return said: “YES!!! The man, the legend, Sir Barrington of Hayles is back!! Barry Hayles has agreed to return as part of Mick Woodham’s backroom staff for the new season. Negotiations are still on going as to whether he will pull a kit on again!!”

Judging by last Friday’s performance, Hayles’ playing days might not be over just yet, playing against Welsh Second Division side Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC, and was instantly involved in the action, according to footballinbracknell.co.uk.

In the sixth minute of the game, Hayles was deemed to have brought down an opponent in the area and the Welsh second division outfit made scored the resulting penalty. Windsor went on to lose 6-0.

Barry Hayles’ career

Senior career
1989–1994 – Willesden Hawkeye
1994–1997 – Stevenage Borough – 117 games (60 goals)
1997–1998 – Bristol Rovers – 62 games (32 goals)
1998–2004 – Fulham – 175 games (44 goals)
2004 – Sheffield United – 4 games (0 goals)
2004–2006 – Millwall – 55 games (16 goals)
2006–2008 – Plymouth Argyle – 62 games (15 goals)
2008–2009 – Leicester City – 28 games (2 goals)
2008 → Cheltenham Town (loan) – 7 games (3 goals)
2008 → Cheltenham Town (loan) – 5 games (1 goal)
2009–2010 – Truro City – 76 games (27 goals)
2012 – St Albans City – 17 games (6 goals)
2012–2013 – Truro City – 23 games (6 goals)
2013–2014 – Arlesey Town – 29 games (11 goals)
2014–2015 – Truro City – 32 games (6 goals)
2015–2017 – Chesham United – 54 games (10 goals)
2017–2019 – Windsor – 42 games (13 goals)
2019–2022 – Merstham – 19 games (1 goal)

National team
1995–1997 – England C – 2 games (2 goals)
2001–2003 – Jamaica – 10 games (0 goals)

Honours

Stevenage Borough
Isthmian League Premier Division: 1993–94
Football Conference: 1995–96

Fulham
Second Division: 1998–99
First Division: 2000–01
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002

Leicester City
League One: 2008–09

Truro City
Southern League Premier Division: Champions (1) 2010–11
Southern League Premier Division: Play-off winners (1) 2014-15

Fans react as the ex-Prem striker, age 50, gets set for his 35th season of football, and signs for a 9th tier club…

@Hayd_is_back: He could still do a job on the pitch. Welcome back Barry ❤💚

@jon_cookie86: Excellent appointment

@matchwornshirt1: Legend, well in fella

@jivinmalc: Great news 👍👍👍

@Paulworthy10: Fulham legend, good luck Barry

@MichaelMickyb: thats fantastic news welcome back

@CarlJac62445740: Welcome back baz 😀

@Lee_Simo89: Super super Baz super super Baz super Barry Hayles! Still haven’t forgiven him for nutmegging me at our Charity Event tho 😒😂😂😂

@steve569715181: Bazza 🤍🖤🤍❤️

@TylerChambers_: Glad to hear he’s back involved so quickly. Top, top man 🙌🏻👏🏻

@grannylovekin: Only one Harry Bayles! 😍

@HammyEnd: Great news that Barry #Hayles is back in football. You know he’ll have those boots on again in no time #ffc #coyw #ohbarryhayles

@CalbarFFC: When you and I are but ashes and dust, Barry Hayles will still be playing football

@efp23: Ohhhhhh Barry Haylesssss

@BasicAde: The legend!!! What a guy 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏾

@GreatParkCrew: ONE BARRINGTON HAYLES!!!

@ForeverAYellow: Love it when players continue to play despite age, if you feel you can go on then do it, especially if your love for the game is still there

@JurgLFC: 🎶 Cheer up Barry Hayles 🎶
All the best, Barry. If you do decide to start playing again, try using your feet to score rather than your hands! 🤗

@PaddyOLeary: blimey thats a blast from the past, got so many memories of him from playing back in the day