Career
Hayward started his career in non-league football, and his prolific goalscoring record soon attracted attention from bigger clubs. He turned professional at the age of 24, joining Rotherham United from Frickley Athletic in 1994. He played 120 league games in four seasons before leaving the club in 1998.
He has since played for numerous teams in non-league football.
He signed for Hednesford Town, and had a brief loan spell with Doncaster Rovers. He returned to his old club Frickley Athletic, before being signed by Bradford Park Avenue in September 2000 for a club record fee.
He stayed there for several seasons before moving on to Stalybridge Celtic in March 2004. He stayed there until the summer of 2005, scoring 16 goals in 46 appearances.
He went on to play for Ossett Town, playing 53 times and scoring 32 goals, and North Ferriby United.
He returned for a third spell at Frickley Athletic, this time as a player-assistant manager before joining Garforth Town. He last played for Royston Railway in the Barnsley Sunday league football.