Memories Of Johnny Haynes

Colin Buckingham wrote:

I live in Arizona, USA, but am an ardent Fulham fan. I was born in Fulham and spent most of my years until 18 years of age, watching Fulham every other week. My Dad took me to see the games for as far back as I could remember.
I remember well watching Johnny Haynes with other legends such as Chamberlain, Hill, Cohen etc. Johnny had that extraordinary ability to split open a defence with his laser-like passing. If he hadn't had his car accident he would probably have gone on to become one of England's greats also.
It was with a deep emotion that I watched the unveiling of his statue at the ground and plan to return to London in the near future to see another Fulham game and recall the times I spent with my Dad at Craven Cottage.

Robert Newton wrote:

Well i'm lucky enough to be a relative of johnnies, (cousin), and i can remember as a young boy of about 9 or 10 going to visit him and his mum and dad in epsom surrey where they used to live.
The first thing i noticed funny enough was that they had two toilets, and they weren't in the back yard. I used to love meeting all his friends at the house, now i realise who they were, Dave Mackay, Ray Wilson, Budgie Byrne, and many more greats.
I was also privileged to have worn Pele's brazilian shirt mucking around in his garden with the football, with an England cap on my head. I remember how proud i was when his parents, mum, auntie Rosie, and dad, uncle Eddie, used to take me up in the Cottage on match days then afterwards you would get to meet all the players from both teams.
God i used to love the pocket money. Well they were just a few off the fond memories i had off this great man, hope you enjoy reading.

Neil Hendrickse wrote:

Jay Nanthlall's musings regarding Johnny Haynes' stint in South Africa are incorrect! Here are the facts:
He arrived in SA in late 1970 and did, indeed, play for Durban City for the 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973 seasons. In that period, he captained them to a league championship (the BP League Championship) in the 72 season as well as the National Bowl, a knock-out competition, when they beat Berea Park in the two-leg final, drawing the first leg 0-0, and winning the second-leg 2-1. That same year he was chosen as Foreign Footballer of the Year.
In 1974 he moved on to City's rivals, Durban United for a short spell before transferring to another Durban club, Durban Celtic. He finished his career in 1975, with Maritzburg.
As goes Jay's comments regarding the premium knock-out competition, the Castle Cup, here are the results, from 1969:
69 - Maritzburg beat Cape Town City (whom I supported) 2-1, aet
70 - Cape Town City beat Highlands Park (the top Johannesburg club) 3-1
71 - Cape Town City again won the cup, beating Durban City, for whom Haynes played, 2-1, at New Kingsmead in the replay, after the sides had played to a 3-all draw (aet) at the Rand Stadium in Joburg, where all the Castle Cup finals were played (sort of, like Wembley Stadium)
72 - Durban United beat Durban City, also in a replay, 5-2, after the first match was drawn 2-2, a game in which Haynes also played.
Another matter of fact; long before the arrival of Budgie Byrne or Johnny Haynes, numerous British professionals had come to South Africa to join local clubs, right from the inception of the then (white) National Football League in 1959.
Just for the record!

Sean wrote:

As a matter of interest, Johnny Haynes actually finished his playing days in South Africa, playing for Durban City and Maritzburg Fottball club up until around about 1973-74. By that time he wasn't doing all the running, but a great footballing mind and the fantastic ability to read a game combined with the passing never left him.

Jay Nanthlall wrote:

I was in the fortunate position of seeing Johnny Haynes play his soccer in Durban. Being a soccer fan myself I hope the following information regarding Johnny Haynes while he was pursuing his career in Durban will assist you.
Johnny was recruited to Durban by Mr. Norman Elliot the chairman of Durban City Football Club in the late 1960's. This club was one of the top clubs in the National Football League at the time having won many league and cup titles during their existence. The major cup competition at the time was the Castle Cup. This competition compares to the FA Cup in England. The chairman Norman Elliot was also known as "The Silver Fox" because of his all white hair.
Whilst in Durban Johnny teamed up with a fellow colleague of Fulham by the name of John "Budgie" Byrne. Johnny Haynes played his soccer at the soccer stadium called New Kingsmead in Durban. Johnny played in a midfield position and also captained the side on a few occasions. The colours of Durban City Football Club at that time was blue and white hooped jerseys and black shorts and stockings.
Both John "Budgie" Byrne and Johnny Haynes were the first two overseas professionals to join a South African club. Unfortunately at the time Johnny Haynes arrived in South Africa apartheid was still practiced here. Johnny's team mates comprised of all white players. A few of his team mates included Jim Scott, Peter Greene, Richard Gomes, Ronnie Mann, Dave Forsyth, George Luke and a good few more. The referees and linesmen were also white.
Home matches were normally played on a Sunday afternoon starting at 3.00pm. Derby matches were played against Durban United Football Club and Addington Football Club as these two clubs shared the same ground as Durban City Football Club. Both black and white spectators were seated in separate sections of the ground.
Johnny was a firm favourite amongst the Indian supporters of the Durban City Football Club. Whilst at Durban City Football Club Johnny won the league title and appeared in one Castle Cup final. Unfortunately he was on the losing side in the final. Their opponents in the final were Highlands Park Football Club a top club from Johannesburg about 600 kilometers from Durban.
When his career ended at Durban City Football Club Johnny Haynes was transferred to the Maritzburg Football Club a club situated in Pietermaritzburg approximately 90 kilometers from Durban. This was in the year 1971. Although this club was a little distance away from Durban all the players of Maritzburg Football Club lived in Durban and this included Johnny Haynes. Their home ground was called the Jan Smuts Stadium and was located in Pietermaritzburg. The chairman under whom Johnny played for whilst at Maritzburg Football Club was Mitch Mendonides. His manager and coach at that time was Berry Mills.
Unfortunately Johnny did not win any honours while playing at Maritzburg Football Club and this is where his career ended a year or two later. However Maritzburg Football Club did win the Castle Cup in the year 1969 although Johhny Haynes was not a team member at the time. Their opponents were Cape Town City Football Club who were the overwhelming favourites. This was the first ever cup final in history to have gone into extra time. I was fortunate to be a supporter of Maritzburg Football Club at that time. All Castle Cup finals were played at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg.Jayendra

Kyle Haynes wrote:

Subject: uncle johnny
it was 2 bad i never got 2 meet my gr8 uncle or c him play but its a real honer 2 b related 2 a legend.

Charles Moppett wrote:

I was born 9/23/41 in Paddington. Fulham fan from the early fifties through the mid sixties, when I moved to the USA-was present at just about all home matches during this time.
I was privileged to watch Haynes in his prime-without an equal in British football. I saw Edwards, Charlton, Finney, Greaves, Bentley, Matthews, Shackelton, Charles, etc.