Born: Pelsall, 8 September 1971
Position: Midfielder
Signed: 1 August 1997 from Carlisle United (£175,000)
Fulham debut: Fulham 1-0 Wrexham, 9 August 1997
Fulham appearances: 150
Fulham goals: 12
Honours: Division Two champions (1998-99), Division One champions (2000-01).
Sold: 19 January 2001 to Barnsley (£50,000)
Micky Adams brought Steve Hayward, a key player in the Carlisle side that were promoted from Division Three alongside Fulham, to Craven Cottage in August 1997 for a bargain fee of £175,000. The creative midfielder became a key fixture in the side that began to rise through the football pyramid, keeping out a number of more expensive signings on account of his consistent performers and his quality set piece delivery. Hayward helped the Whites win the Division Two title at a canter under Kevin Keegan and memorably scored the free-kick that put Fulham 2-0 up at Villa Park against his boyhood club Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup. He only began to drop out of the first team picture under Jean Tigana and left the Whites to join Barnsley in January 2001.
