John Henry Hayes (, 20 January 1891 â 25 July 1976, mostly known as Harry Hayes) was an Argentine footballer, who played his entire career for Rosario Central (where he spent 20 years). Hayes also played for the Argentina national team.
Nicknamed Harry, Maestro, and Inglés, Hayes, with 228 official goals (including AFA and Liga Rosarina competitions) is the all-time leading top scorer in the history of Rosario Central. His brother Ennis was another notable player for Rosario Central in the 1910s and 1920s.
Harry Hayes was the son of English immigrants who had travelled to Argentina on a coal ship. He was born in the Arroyito district of Rosario in 1891. As a child he attended games at the Rosario Central and dreamed of becoming a footballer.
In his youth, Hayes played for Club Gimnasia y Esgrima de Rosario. In 1905, he moved to Rosario Central at only 14 years old. In 1906, he made his debut with the senior squad, where he remained until his retirement in 1926.
In 1910, Hayes made his debut for Argentina, in the 1910 South American Championship (named Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo, held as part of the celebrations of the Argentina Centennial), where he debuted scoring to Chile.
Hayes (the second player in Rosario Central's history to be called up for Argentina after Zenón DÃÂaz) went on to play 25 games for his country, scoring 9 goals, being also part of the Argentina squad for the 1916 South American Championship, the first official national team competition in the continent.
Hayes was acknowledged for being an extraordinary scorer with a strong shot, dribbling ability, and precision for short passes.
After retiring from football, Hayes worked as advisor for Rosario Central, being also coach in the Liga Rosarina de Football.
Hayes' brother Ennis was also a notable footballer for Rosario Central and Argentina, and his son Enrique Ricardo (also commonly called "Harry") played for Rosario Central in the 1930s and 40s.
Alumni's legend Jorge Brown once invited Hayes to join his team, but Hayes declined the offer stating that "Thank you, Jorge, but I canâÂÂt leave Rosario Central. I live for this club", which granted him a congratulation from Brown, who replied "I wouldâÂÂve done the same for Alumni".
During an interview with El Gráfico in 1961, Hayes said about football: "I donâÂÂt like what IâÂÂve seen in recent years. ItâÂÂs all about not losing, and that ruins the game".
Argentina