Caitlin Hayes is ready to kick off her first full season in the WSL.
The Brighton defender put in some impressive showings at the tail end of last season. Hayes is looking to build on that come the new campaign.
The Halfway Line got the opportunity to speak to the Irish star about her time so far at Brighton, the new season and what attracted her to the South Coast.
‘I’m trying to leave the game in a better place than I found it’ says Hayes
When The Halfway Line asked Caitlin Hayes about her now iconic pink headband, in response she raised her arm, revealing her pink headband now wrapped around her wrist.
She bashfully explains, “it was just something I wore to keep foiling hairs out my face” she conceded with a smile.
Hayes’ particular style has become emblematic of her own distinct fanbase. Little children travel far and wide to watch their favourite player, donning the same headwear. The tradition started in her Celtic days and has continued onto international level and now it perseveres on the South Coast too.
“It wasn’t necessarily something I expected little kids to copy” Hayes laughs.
“And then before you know it, they’re turning up in that, they’re literally hundreds now!”
Hayes proceeds to explain the meaning behind the headband, telling me with passion emanating from her voice.
“It’s my sign to let them know that I’m playing for them. I’m not playing for myself. I’m ultimately trying to leave the game in a better place than I found it, for them to be able to one day take over.”
Despite her noble intentions, not everyone is a fan, “I continue to wear it, despite my Mum’s constant request to change” Hayes admits. When questioned as to why her Mum is not on board, Hayes exhales, “she just wants it to be green.”
Hayes takes great pride in her Irish roots, and the fans of both club and country clearly take great pride in her.
‘I won’t shy away from the fact there was struggle’ Hayes admits
Ireland has been a big part of Hayes’ life, especially in the past two years. The former Celtic defender was a mainstay in the Ireland side under Eileen Gleeson before Carla Ward took over and Hayes mainly featured from the bench.
That was until recently when the Ireland centre back started the Girls in Green’s victory over Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League gaining revenge for defeat earlier in the competition.
When Hayes was missing from Ireland line ups, there was some confusion in the stands as to why, in spite of her lack of minutes at club level.
The defender was refreshingly candid about the difficulties she faced at the start of her spell at Brighton after moving from her beloved Celtic in January last year.
She told The Halfway Line how that affected her ability to make herself available to start for Brighton and Ireland.
“I won’t shy away from the fact that there was struggle in that [moving in January]” Hayes told me.
“There’s great glory in creating a dream of joining the WSL, but there’s also struggle in leaving friends and family, living by yourself, trying to find your feet in a new city that you’ve never been before.
“I couldn’t have picked further away and stayed on this same bit of land.”
Hayes bravely spoke about dealing with the adverse effects that upheaval had on her mental health.
“I wasn’t obviously getting the minutes on the pitch, but I think that was because of my things that I had to get right off the pitch, and obviously playing the mental game and sorting yourself out in that way” she outlined.
When Hayes did return to the pitch she put in a Player of the Match performance in Brighton’s 4-2 victory over now UEFA Women’s Champions League holders Arsenal.
“Obviously, with turbulence, some things have to give [way], and that was game time for me” Hayes thoughtfully reflected.
“Hopefully to come out the back end of that, it will just help [me] to improve as a person and player.”
The moment Hayes felt she had ‘finally arrived at Brighton’ and the WSL
As an Ireland and Brighton player Hayes is used to playing the role of the underdog. With some of the recent scalps both sides have managed she has quite the talent for it too.
“I obviously love playing a game where you’re winning but I love even more being the underdog” Hayes declared with relish.
“Just having that dog fight in you, where you’re like: you’re not getting in front of me, and my whole body will be in front of it before that ball goes in the back of the net.
“That’s the kind of defender I am, and that’s what I enjoy most.”
When asked to recall that performance against Arsenal she pondered for a moment, “If I’m honest, it’s a bit of a blur!”
She continued with a sense of relief palpable in her voice, “I just remember coming off the field, exhaling and being like: I have finally arrived at Brighton.”
Hayes lauds Brighton team mates who ‘give their all’
Hayes signed for Brighton in January after a successful first part of the season with Celtic. The Scottish club made the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage for the first time last year.
Brighton also had early success, and at one stage were comfortably fourth in the table. I asked Hayes for her perspective on why Brighton had been excelling.
“I could tell as soon as I came in, the girls were a tight knit group” she explained.
“They were all willing to work hard for each other. They were all willing to put their bodies on the line and turn up each day and give their all.
“That’s ultimately what dragged them out of that little bit of a tough spell.
“I was able to help, I was willing and [I’m] definitely grateful to get some good performances under my belt. Hopefully long may they continue into the new season.”
Hayes hails Vidošić’s ‘tactical genius’ and a club ‘moving in the right direction’
Hayes was clear that another reason for her moving to Brighton was the club’s ambition for their women’s team. That ambition is personified by head coach Dario Vidošić.
“I was always attracted to the league. To play in a club that competes and to play in a club that is going in the right direction for the women’s game” Hayes extolled.
“Obviously to have his [Vidošić’s] leadership and his tactical genius. He’s probably forgot more about football than I know.
“So just to have him, to be able to learn from him each and every day is something that will only better me as a player.”
Hayes had a habit of scoring late winning goals in her time with Celtic. The Halfway Line asked if that was something Brighton fans could expect from her in the new season, she laughed.
“I mean, I hope so. I don’t think I’ll be in the top five even of people to put up front from Dario. But I’ll definitely ask the question!”
Hayes and Brighton kick off their WSL campaign against Aston Villa at Broadfields Stadium on Sunday, midday.
