Austin Hayes

Austin William Patrick Hayes (15 July 1958 – 3 December 1986) was an English-born professional footballer of Irish descent who played as a left winger. He was a member of the Southampton team that were runners-up in the 1979 League Cup final.

Hayes only played once as a full international for the Republic of Ireland national team in 1979.

Early life
Hayes was born in Hammersmith, London, to Irish parents in 1958 and was raised in Chiswick.

Club career
Hayes began his professional career as a left winger at Southampton in 1976. He scored twice on his debut in a European Cup Winners' Cup tie at home to Carrick Rangers on 3 November 1976. Shortly after turning 19-years-old, he was sent on loan to American club Los Angeles Aztecs.

He played in the 1979 League Cup final but Southampton lost to Nottingham Forest. Hayes was never able to cement a regular first-team place, with players of the calibre of Kevin Keegan, Charlie George and Phil Boyer also in the Saints squad. His last appearance for Southampton came on 3 May 1980 against Middlesbrough and he was transferred to Millwall for £50,000 in February 1981, later turning out for Northampton Town and then for Barnet in the Gola League. His last club was Swedish side Friska Viljor.

International career
He made his solitary appearance for Republic of Ireland in a 2–0 victory over Denmark at Lansdowne Road on 2 May 1979.

Death
In December 1986, Austin Hayes died at the age of 28 from lung cancer after contracting pneumonia, just three weeks after the illness was diagnosed. Earlier that year he had spent a short time playing in Sweden and had recently returned to England when he became ill.

Honours
Southampton
 * League Cup runners-up: 1978–79