A stable-fitter by trade, Harry Haynes had played for three Football League clubs in his vicinity – mainly First Division Wolves – before he signed for Southern League St Mary’s.

That signing took place on Birmingham New Street Station, with a pen borrowed from the booking office.

Initially a half-back, he successfully converted to left-back for the second half of the Saints’ first Southern League championship season in 1897 and was ever-present in that position the following season, as the side retained their title and reached their first FA Cup semi-final.

In September 1898, as the Saints kicked-off at their new home, the enterprising Haynes had additional commitments: he was the landlord of the Turks Head and held the first licence to sell beers and spirits at The Dell. Two years later, by now having played at right-back and left-wing, he retired to concentrate on pulling pints and on spotting new talent for the club, notably Joe French. After a stint at the Criterion, he had become the licensee at the Edinburgh Castle, where he collapsed and died at the age of 29.