Billy Hayes who played as a goalkeeper began his senior career with Preston North End, where he made 10 league appearances, all of them in the 1914–15 season. During the First World War, he played one match as a guest for Burnley. After the war, Hayes played for several clubs including Brighton & Hove Albion and Southend United playing more than 250 league matches. Towards the end of his career, he played for a number of non league sides.
Billy played 225 matches for the Seagulls between 1919 and 1924.