Playing for Southend United until he was 13, Isaac was snaffled by Arsenal to join their academy of young British talent.

Seen as someone with the potential of eventually making the Gunners first team Hayden played for England at U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels, but would never get a senior call up.

Loaned out to Championship side Hull City between 2015 and 2016, Isaac impressed at that level but would not do enough to convince the Arsenal hierarchy to persevere with his at Premier League level. Indeed he would only manage to don a Gunners shirt twice in his senior career, both in the League Cup.

Newcastle on the other hand saw something in the player who immediately made a place in the starting line up his own under Rafa Benitez, helping the Magpies gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

He kept his place after promotion and, other than the odd injury, would remain a key player at the club until the club was taken over the Staveley and Co. By this time he'd played a total of 171 times for the club, scoring 7 goals in all competitions.

Ever the model pro, Isaac had some issues off the pitch which were not widely covered that made his professionalism whilst at Untied all the more impressive. Indeed after the takeover, and having suffered a long term before the January transfer window, he was removed from the 25 man playing squad. Not a murmur of discontent. Quite the opposite, he would regularly be seen at the ground and joined in the end of season celebrations like he'd played every game.

A quality midfielder who always had a little touch of class about him.

In the summer of 2022 Isaac was loaned to newly relegated Norwich in their bid to gain promotion back to the Premier League. His leaving the club was met with warmth and acceptance from the Newcastle faithful in full recognition of the role he'd played in keeping the club alive in the top flight during those dark Mike Ashley days.