James Hanson

James Robert Hanson (born 9 November 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

After playing youth football for Huddersfield Town and Bradford City, Hanson began his career in semi-professional non-league football, playing for Eccleshill United and Guiseley.

He turned professional after re-signing with Bradford City in 2009, for whom he made over 300 appearances.

He later played for Sheffield United, Bury, AFC Wimbledon, Grimsby Town, Farsley Celtic, Boston United and Worksop Town.

Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Hanson played youth football for Huddersfield Town (where he was let go at the age of 15 for being too small ), as well as Bradford City.

He began his senior career playing semi-professional non-league football with Eccleshill United and Guiseley, balancing his football career with a job in a local Co-operative supermarket in Idle, Bradford.

Bradford City fans later sang a song about Hanson's supermarket work.

Hanson signed his first professional contract with Bradford City in July 2009, with his transfer fee set by a tribunal hearing six months later at a figure close to £7,500, a sell-on clause and the agreement of a friendly between the two sides.

In making the move, Hanson took nearly a 50% pay cut.

Hanson made his debut for Bradford on the opening day of the 2009–10 season, on 8 August 2009, in a 5–0 defeat against Notts County.

Hanson scored his first goal for Bradford on 22 August 2009, in a 5–4 victory away at Cheltenham Town.

Hanson won the Player of the Year award during his first season at Bradford City, and was rewarded with a new, improved contract for the next four years.

Ahead of his second season with the club, Hanson decided to bulk up.

During the 2011–12 season, Hanson scored 14 goals, his highest tally to date in three years as a professional.

In February 2012, Hanson suffered a groin injury, and was estimated to miss six weeks of matches.

In October 2012, teammate Andrew Davies stated his belief that Hanson's goals would help the club achieve promotion.

He scored Bradford City's goal in the second leg League Cup semi-final tie against Aston Villa, and was named Man Of The Match for the second leg, helping Bradford to the League Cup final.

Hanson had a broken toe prior to the match, and received an injection for it 15 minutes before kick-off.

Hanson's performance was praised by former manager Steve Kittrick.

Hanson played in the 2013 Football League Cup Final; after the match, he said he believed Bradford City would return to Wembley via the League Two play-offs.

Hanson scored two goals in the next three League matches, reaching 10 goals for the season, and later that month he stated that the club had to win both forthcoming Easter games.

In April 2013, Hanson spoke of the "buzz" around the club as they mounted a play-off challenge.

On 5 May, he scored a vital goal in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Burton Albion, helping Bradford overcome a 3–2 deficit from the home leg to win the game 3–1 and the tie 5–4 on aggregate.

In the Final at Wembley, Hanson scored in a 3–0 victory against Northampton Town, and later spoke about how he was looking forward to playing in a higher division.

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson said that only a high-money bid would persuade the club to sell either Hanson and fellow striker Nahki Wells.

In July 2013, Hanson was praised by former Bradford City left-back Wayne Jacobs, and in August 2013 Hanson spoke positively of his partnership with teammate Nahki Wells.

Wells has also publicly praised his strike partnership with Hanson, as has journalist Simon Parker, who described them as "[one of] the best front pairs that League One has to offer."

Hanson has also been praised by manager Phil Parkinson.

In October 2013 Hanson spoke about his use of a mind coach.

On 29 November 2013 he signed a new contract with the club, taking him up to the end of the 2016–17 season, and becoming the first player at the club to sign a new contract that season.

In December 2013 fellow Bradford City player Andrew Davies described Wells and Hanson as the best strike pair in the division.

That same month Hanson was revealed as the player in 3 divisions of the Football League who had committed the most fouls in the 2013–14 season to date; he was defended by manager Phil Parkinson.

The partnership ended when Wells was sold to Huddersfield Town in January 2014.

In February 2014, after Hanson scored his 10th goal of the season, Davies spoke about Hanson's increase in playing form.

In March 2014, Hanson spoke about new strike partner Aaron McLean's lack of goals for the club, while Hanson himself had scored 6 goals in 9 games.

Throughout March and April, Hanson suffered a number of minor injuries which prevented him from playing, making only 1 appearance in the past 7 games as of 25 April 2014.

His work-rate during that season was later praised by former teammate Andy Gray.

In 2014, Hanson was diagnosed with arthritis.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season the club implemented new a playing style and match tactics, and Hanson stated he was looking forward to showing that he was able to adapt to it.

In August 2014, after scoring five goals in the season to date, Hanson entered the club's top ten all-time scorer list.