THE Port Adelaide Football Club mourns the passing of eight-time premiership player and club life member Neville Hayes who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88.

Hayes played predominantly as a defender in Port Adelaide’s golden era representing the club in 217 games from 1953 to 1965.

Hayes, who was affectionately known as “Chicken”, won two club best-and-fairest awards and is a member of Port Adelaide’s greatest ever team and the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.

He also represented South Australia in 21 State games.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson says Hayes’ passing was a sad day for Port Adelaide.

“The Port Adelaide Football Club extends its heartfelt condolences to Margaret, Nina, Sally, Kara and the entire Hayes family during this time,” Mr Richardson said.

“Neville was a remarkable player. When you think of Port Adelaide’s golden era through the 50s and 60s you think of Chicken Hayes. He was a tough, uncompromising defender who came through the ranks at Port Adelaide and went on to win a remarkable eight premierships at the club and represent South Australia 21 times.

“Neville played a pivotal role in the Port Adelaide side through the golden era of the late 1950s and early 1960s that has created such a great legacy for our club today.

“In later years, Neville remained connected with the club and his team mates, and we loved hearing his stories. He was great character, passionate about his football club and never missed a game on TV.”

In an interview last year, late Port Adelaide legend Geof Motley described Hayes as an “exceptional player”.

“Chicken was a very important player for us. He rarely made a mistake and would not stop running,” Motley recalled.

“Chicken was as tough a player as you’ll see. He never came off the line and was one of the best exponents of the hip and shoulder bump that I’ve ever seen.

“When opposition players knew Chicken was around, they would get very nervous. He was not frightened to run into someone, and more often than not, they came off second best.

“Chicken had a philosophy… ‘do unto others as they would do to you, except do it first’.

“He was a great teammate and was a key reason as to why we were so successful in that period.”

Mr Richardson reflected on Hayes’ passing as being the end of a special era for Port Adelaide and Australian football.

“The sad passing of Chicken means we have a lost the last hero who played in every one of our national record six-in-a-row premierships from 1954 to 1959,” Mr Richardson said.

“While it’s a sombre time for our club we look back fondly on what the likes of Chicken and his great mate Geof Motley and others achieved during that period that has set us up to be the club we are today.

“Their remarkable achievements will never be forgotten and their legacy shines as brightly today as at any other time in our club’s history.”

The family will be holding a private service to honour the life of Neville Hayes.