Worksop Town have announced that former Bradford City, Sheffield United, and Grimsby Town striker James Hanson has officially retired from professional football. The 36-year-old, who had an extensive career in the Football League, has decided to hang up his boots, marking the end of his playing career.
Hailing from Bradford, James Hanson compiled an impressive record over the course of his career, making a total of 627 appearances across various competitions and showcasing his goal-scoring prowess with a tally of 167 goals.
James Hanson’s journey in professional football began in 2009 when Bradford City signed him after he had caught their attention with his performances in non-league football at Guiseley. Over eight seasons at Valley Parade, Hanson established himself as a key player, making 335 appearances and contributing 91 goals to the Bantams.
During his time with Bradford, he played a crucial role in their promotion to League One under the management of Phil Parkinson in 2013. The same year, he also played a part in the team reaching the League Cup final, although they ultimately suffered a defeat at Wembley against Swansea City.
Hanson explained his reasoning for retiring via Worksop’s website: “I have been ready for the last three or four months. I have struggled with injuries this season and my kids are growing up now and are doing activities on a weekend, so I want to invest my time into them.”
In January 2017, Hanson made a move to Sheffield United, spending a year-and-a-half at Bramall Lane and making 15 appearances, finding the net once during his tenure with the Blades.
Although he only made a handful appearances for the Blades, scoring once, the Blades will never forget the role he played in the second half of the 2016/17 campaign, helping Sheffield United clinch the League One title.
