[3] A big physical defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, featuring in the FA Youth Cup final in 1976.
He joined Port Vale in December 1986 and was a regular for the "Valiants" until a back injury forced his retirement in June 1989.
He began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and featured in the 1976 FA Youth Cup final, which ended in a 5–0 aggregate defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
He turned professional at Molineux under Sammy Chung and played 20 First Division games for Wolves in the 1977–78 season; despite only making his debut in December and being sent off in a 2–1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup, he made such an impact in a central defensive partnership with John McAlle that he picked up the club's second ever Player of the Year award.
Hazell played for QPR in the 1982 FA Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley and provided the assist for Terry Fenwick to make the original tie a 1–1 draw.
[5] He had a brief loan spell at old club Wolves in 1985–86, but could do little to prevent Sammy Chapman's side from slipping into the Fourth Division.
[1] He was reluctant to join due to the club's dire league placement but was talked round by former Leicester teammate Mark Grew.
Along with defensive partner Phil Sproson, Hazell quickly shored up the "Valiants" defence before the end of season run-in to steer the club out of the Third Division relegation zone to a 12th-place finish.
[1] Unable to overcome a back injury, he was given a free transfer in June 1989, having made 100 club appearances in all competitions at Vale Park.
"After leaving the game, Hazell attempted a job selling life insurance but fell into a deep depression.