Londoner Hayles shot to prominence with Conference side Stevenage Borough, before the ex-carpenter earning a £250,000 move to Bristol Rovers in August 1997. Originally a right back with Stevenage, Barry switched to attack after a successful up-front outing as a substitute saw him poach two goals for the Conference side in a friendly against Luton..

Soon became a Rovers legend, seemingly unable to stop scoring goals. After netting 34 League goals in just 66 games in was inevitable bigger clubs would be on the prowl.

Fulham paid £2million for the striker in November 1998 and the pressure this put on his head seemed to be too much at the start of his Craven Cottage career.

Made his debut in a 2-1 win at home to Chesterfield and managed just nine goals for the club in the remainder of the Second Division campaign.

But, under a flood of criticism, he rose above the dissenters to become a regular thorn in opposition sides. He is strong, quick thinking and has the rare ability to attach the ball firmly to his instep and run at will.

Former boss Kevin Keegan likened him to Andy Cole... he has a long way to go before that may be true but will still be there when more fancied players have withdrawn under Fulham's new media spotlight.

When Jean Tigana arrived at Fulham many at and around the club were convinced that Hayles was on his way out. But he rose to the challenge in the Premiership season of 2001/02 - and netted a creditable 12 goals.

Barry netted 58 goals in 219 appearances by the end of the 2003/04 season.