Hayden Mullins

Hayden Ian Mullins (born March 27, 1979 in Reading, Berkshire) is a English people professional football (soccer) currently playing for West Ham United F.C. in the English Premier League. He plays as sweeper and at right-back in addition to his preferred midfield-holding position.

Club career

Crystal Palace

Mullins joined Crystal Palace F.C. as a trainee in August 1996. He was given his first team debut at the age of 18 by the Crystal Palace head coach, Terry Venables, in a 2-2 draw against Bolton Wanderers F.C. in August 1998 and scored his first senior goal in only his third appearance, a 3-1 away defeat to Birmingham City F.C., a week later. He immediately established himself in the first-team, made 45 league and cup appearances in the 1998-99 season, was named "Player of The Year" and was capped for the England national under-21 football team team. Mullins later acknowledged his debt to Venables, saying, "I learnt a lot from him. He took a lot of time with us on the training pitch. He taught us a lot about shape and formation, he's very detailed in that respect. He's very good man to man, and he made me feel totally comfortable about coming into the first team." Mullins made 49 league and cup appearances in that season and a further 51 appearances in the 2000-01 season as Palace reached the semi-final of the League Cup but narrowly escaped relegation. He was transfer listed in October 2000 due to what manager Alan Smith (manager) described as a "bad attitude" but was taken off the list, offered and signed a new four-year contract two months later as his relationship with Smith improved. Smith said of him in January 2001, "He's a really good footballer which means I can play him in any position. I like my young players to play in different positions. This season he's played full-back, midfield and sweeper. [We've] got to work on his defending, but he's got pace, he has good vision and he wants to play football."

Mullins made 47 league and cup appearances in the 2001-02 season as Palace made an ultimately unsuccessful push for the Division One play-off places. He was made captain in the 2002-03 season by manager Trevor Francis, who saw Mullins as being an integral part of the Palace squad, and made 52 league and cup appearances as Palace reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup and recorded a memorable 2-0 win over Liverpool F.C. in an FA Cup fourth round replay at Anfield. He was named "Player of The Year" for a second time in 2003. With one year remaining on his existing contract, Mullins turned down the offer of a new contract in May 2003. His agent said, ""It is no secret that Hayden believes he will not be able to fulfil his true potential at Palace. If the club wishes to get some financial reward for their role in his up bringing, then they need to sell him this summer." Mullins had made over 250 league and cup appearances for Palace, scoring 20 goals. The deal was then made permanent a day later for a fee of £600,000 rising to £800,000 should West Ham be promoted. Pardew said of him, "...I have captured a player that I feel is going to add significantly to us. [He] can play in various positions and give us cover in a number of those [.. I think ultimately he is a central midfield player for us and I think his energy will be important; he will have to battle in the midfield. He is someone we are going to look to when we are up against it, to win the battle and give the room to [other players] to play. He is very much a destroyer and I think we are desperate for one of those." The 2004-05 in English football, Mullins made 44 league and cup appearances as West Ham again reached the play-off final, this time beating Preston North End F.C. 1-0 to win promotion to the Premier League.

West Ham exceeded expectations in the 2005-06 season, finishing in a mid-table position and reaching the FA Cup Final, which was won by Liverpool F.C. 3-1 on penalties. Mullins, having made 42 appearances in that season, was however suspended for the final along with Luis Javier García Sanz, after the pair had been sent off in a league fixture a few weeks earlier and an appeal against his dismissal was rejected by the Football Association. Pardew said, "I feel very aggrieved and very upset because Hayden has had a fantastic season. He has been one of our best players. He was my first signing here, I'm very proud of him, of what he has done and achieved." However, after a brief period on the bench, Mullins re-established himself in the first team and scored the winning goal, in a 2-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers F.C. in October 2006, which put an end to the worst run of results for West Ham in 74 years. Mullins made 32 league and cup appearances in the 2006-07 season as West Ham narrowly escaped relegation.

International career

Mullins has made three appearances for the England U-21 team against Poland U-21 in March 1999, Hungary U-21 in April 1999 and Bulgaria U-21 in June 1999.