Johnny died seven years ago today - 18th October 2005 please log in to view this image Here is also a little collage of photos - http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/archive/Johnny-Haynes-previously-unseen-pictures-of-the-Fulham-legend-plus-original-features-and-stories-from-our-archive-article2197.html
Has anyone from our group ever seen him play? I've seen him on TV, but so much is lost when viewing a game that way. I followed the link to a 1961 news story asking if Haynes "was worth 100 pounds a week?" Today he'd be making 100k/week or more, I suspect. I realize, though, that those were different times - war recovery and all.
Not just war recovery, DR. Back in those days there was a maximum wage that clubs weren't allowed to pay above. It was abolished after a lengthy campaign by the players' union, led by our very own Jimmy Hill. Haynes, England captain and poster-boy of the day, was the first player to benefit. For years the club had said, 'We'd love to pay him £100 a week, but our hands are tied.' The day after the court ruling that the maximum wage was illegal, the Maestro was knocking on the chairman's door. It's easy to argue that pay has got out of control these days, but back then the maximum wage was a serious injustice that needed sorting out. Well done Jimmy Hill! And back to your original question: not me. But thanks for letting me count myself among the young 'uns!
Yes DR many many times, although a very young lad myself Jonny by then in the mid to late 50s was not only the club captain but without doubt the greatest player i have ever seen at the Cottage. And in that era along with Duncan Edwards,were regarded as the best,that i believe was also the view of Pele. I am sure that there is a video compilation of JH,if you could find and watch, you would appreciate the class he had.
Can only but repeat rosc's comments DR. Here is a video clip where Tommy Trinder explains why he (the club ?) paid him £100 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sy3r411fkY With Denis Law and others going to Italy, I remember at the time being convinced Johnny would go as well and that would have been the end of my little world ! Also here's a BBC broadcast in tribute to Johnny. It's a bit long but well worth a listen, especially towards the end where the £100 is again discussed and Johnny himself talks about various things, including his spell as Fulham's manager - http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/football_legends/11908.shtml
That clip and the story were great. Thanks for sharing. Even on a grainy Youtube clip, you can see the command he had over the ball. I have a similar experience I cherish - baseball, though. I didn't even realize it at the time, but I saw a guy named Pete Rose get one of his last hits at the age of about 42.
My dad and grandad saw him. Dad said he was the best player he saw play football. Is love to have seen him at the cottage. A true legend.
I hope you had a bet on him!! - (an in baseball joke) I did have the privilege of seeing Johnny Haynes at the end of his career at Fulham. I went to about 2/3 of Fulham's home games in 67-68 season when we were relegated from the then 1st divison (today's Premiership) Although past his best, he was a magnificent footballer and everything ran through him. It is amazing that the side got relegated when you consider the strength of the team. Besides Haynes the side featured George Cohen - until an injury in November finished his career, Alan Clarke who scored freely for us before going to Leicester then Leeds, Les Barret, a skillful winger, John Dempsey, a strong centre half who went to Chelsea to win a cup and cup winners medal and Tony Macaedo - a talented, if eccentric goal keeper. In hindsight the injury to Cohen turned the season - we were unbeaten in November with 3 wins -2 away from home - and a draw ( the Liverpool game at the Cottage) but we went downhill from there often loosing heavily. We seemed to often score first, then concede 4 or 5. For a 15 year old, it was tough to take. Wiki says he made 34 appearances that season and would go on for 2 more seasons before retiring. He was past his best - a car accident in 1962 meant he never regained his full glory - but he was so skillful, always a joy to watch and always gave his best for the 90 minutes.
