Hayden Mullins Ep3: One Red Card Cost Me the FA Cup Final

Hayden Mullins left home at 16 to join Crystal Palace. His first six months in football were a shock. In this episode of The Players Lounge, Hayden joins Gerryn Hussain to talk about his £30-a-week start, the red card that kept him out of West Ham’s FA Cup final, and the team’s fight for Premier League survival. He also shares the uncertainty at Portsmouth, promotion with Reading, the decision to retire and his move into coaching, including meeting Pep Guardiola. Subscribe for more conversations with the people behind the careers. Which part of Hayden’s story stayed with you? CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:19 Growing up in Reading 06:31 Youth football and coaching the love out of the game 12:31 Leaving home at 16 and the £30-a-week start 16:43 Palace debut and becoming captain 24:56 Leaving Palace for West Ham 29:20 The red card and missing the FA Cup final 35:51 Watching the final from the sidelines 40:44 West Ham’s great escape and Carlos Tevez 52:08 Portsmouth and the financial uncertainty 56:17 Returning to the FA Cup final 1:00:55 Reading promotion and Portsmouth relegation 1:03:52 Birmingham, Notts County and retirement 1:08:06 Finding a new role in coaching 1:13:19 Inspiration and meeting Pep Guardiola 1:16:19 Advice for young footballers FOLLOW GH CONNECTS LOUNGE Instagram:   / ghconnectslounge   TikTok:   / ghconnectslounge   Host Instagram:   / gerrynhussain   YouTube:    / @gerrynhussain   The Players Lounge, hosted by Gerryn Hussain. GH Connects Lounge. Every story connects. #HaydenMullins #ThePlayersLounge #GHConnects