Haines endured a largely frustrating career as a professional footballer, partly due to having to bide his time for league action due to the war and partly because he wasn't shoehorned into a particular position in his early days, especially in his stint at City.
He was signed by Swansea Town in June 1939, ready for his break in professional football, but didn't get his full debut due to the war for a good seven years. Once he did debut for the Welsh club, his form wasn't enough to stop the Swans being relegated, although it was enough to impress City boss of the time Johnny Duncan.
Haines was played in a variety of positions by Duncan but couldn't cement one particular position, forcing the Foxes to look for someone else in his place. It came in the form of West Brom's Peter McKennan, and the two clubs swapped players.
Haines actually enjoyed better fortunes at the Hawthorns, winning an England cap whilst at the West Midlands club and scoring twice in that match against Switzerland. He also won promotion with the Baggies to the top flight, but he soon moved on to Bradford Park Avenue and other clubs including Rochdale and Chester.