James Hanson, a former striker for Sheffield United and Bradford City, has announced his retirement from professional football following an 18-year career.
The 36-year-old received congratulations from his last team, Worksop Town, in a post on X this evening. After
missing a while due to a knee injury, he made his comeback three weeks ago against Workington Town and scored
The 6’4″ forward explained his decision in an interview with the Tigers after his final game against Whitby Town. “I’ve been ready for the previous three or four months, I’ve fought with injuries a little bit this season,” he said.
Above all, my children are growing up, and I just want to spend more time with them. Since the age of sixteen, I have participated in men’s football.
“It’s taken a toll eventually, but it’s the right choice, and I’m excited to spend time with my family and take much-needed weekends off.”
Hanson’s football career began at Huddersfield Town, where the Terriers cut him loose due to his excessive height. Eventually, the Bantams signed him.
In the end, he played non-league football for Eccleshill United and Guiseley while holding a part-time job at a supermarket—a fact that Bradford supporters would later sing about.
He became an important part of the team after returning to Valley Parade in 2009, winning player of the season in his first season.
When the League Two team started its illustrious run to the League Cup Final in 2012–13, Hanson’s heroics for City really got underway. He scored against Aston Villa in the semi-final. Swansea City soundly defeated the team at Wembley.
In the League Two Play-off Final, Bradford made up for their defeat to the Welsh team by traveling back to London. Hanson opened the score as they defeated Northampton Town 3-0.
Another cup upset occurred in 2015 at Stamford Bridge when “Big Jim” and The Bantams surprised Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. The team led by Phil Parkinson overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2, handing the eventual Premier League Champions their sole home loss of the season.
After relocating to Sheffield United in 2017, he made his Championship debut, but he had trouble getting into games at Bramall Lane. After being loaned to Bury, the striker was placed on a transfer list the following summer and acquired by AFC Wimbledon.
Grimsby Town signed him between 2019 and 2021 after he spent two years at Plough Lane; he left on a free agent when his contract expired. He returned to non-league action in his latter years, playing for Boston United, Worksop Town, and Farsley Celtic.
In 484 games over the course of his career, he scored 114 goals in all competitions.
For Bradford City followers, James Hanson will always be a legend. During his eight years in West Yorkshire, he made some of the greatest contributions to the club in its recent history. Any Bantams supporter who hears your name will tell you where they were at Villa Park during his goal in the second leg of the EFL Cup semifinal.
Furthermore, one cannot discuss Hanson without mentioning his accomplice, Nakhi Wells, in a manner akin to Batman and Robin. Bradford was able to leave the fourth division for the first time since 2007 thanks to the two of them. In 2014, the Bermudan moved to Huddersfield, but Hanson stayed at Valley Parade and almost earned a second promotion by making it to the League One Play-off semifinals.
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