Lionel Eric Hayward (2 August 1917 – 1976) was an English professional footballer who played as a defender. He was the elder brother of Basil and Doug Hayward. He began his career as an amateur at Port Vale in July 1934, before turning professional in 1936. He was never a first team regular, and was allowed to join Blackpool in May 1937. He remained at Bloomfield Road for the next 15 years, during one of the brightest periods in the club's history, and played twice at Wembley in the FA Cup final defeats of 1948 and 1951. In total he played 305 league games in the Football League, not including appearances during World War II.