Santos legend Paul Hayden passes
FORMER JAMAICA and Santos FC winger Paul Hayden passed away in hospital yesterday morning from kidney failure.
However, the player who represented and won daCosta Cup and Olivier Shield titles with Vere Technical and Major League and Premier League titles with Santos FC had a close friendship, both on and off the field, with former Vere and Santos teammate Clive Spencer. They were nicknamed ‘the two musketeers’ by their Santos coach, the late Winston Chung-Fah.
Huntley Green, manager of Santos FC during the 70s and 80, said both Hayden and Spencer were what he describes as “inseparable on and off the pitch,” and that Hayden was a very dedicated player to the only club he represented locally.
“As a player he was very dedicated,” Green said. “He represented the club admirably and with a lot of heart.
“He was with the club from the Under-15s up to the senior level, and he and teammate Clive Spencer were two prolific players.
“It was a pleasure working with them, especially ‘Peak Head’ (as Hayden was nicknamed). He was a quiet and unassuming individual and very easy to work with. Santos always prides itself on players coming through the ranks, and he was one of them.”
Current Santos coach, Carlton Dennis, fondly recalled the ‘fantastic’ partnership between Hayden and Spencer.
“Paul Hayden and Clive Spencer were two players who came to the club at the same time and played together and they were fantastic,” Dennis said.
“He (Hayden) was a left footer with good dribbling skills, and he kicked very well. He was very talented.”
Hayden was 62 years old. He is survived by two daughters and a son.