Hanson signed his first professional contract with Bradford City in July 2009,[9] 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.[10] In making the move, Hanson took nearly a 50% pay cut.[11]
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.[12][13] Hanson scored his first goal for Bradford on 22 August 2009, in a 5–4 victory away at Cheltenham Town.[14][15] Hanson won the Player of the Year award during his first season at Bradford City,[16] and was rewarded with a new, improved contract for the next four years.[17]
2010–11 season
Ahead of his second season with the club, Hanson decided to bulk up.[11]
2011–12 season
In February 2012, Hanson suffered a groin injury, and was estimated to miss six weeks of matches.[18] During the 2011–12 season, Hanson scored 14 goals, his highest tally to date in three years as a professional.[19]
In October 2012, teammate Andrew Davies stated his belief that Hanson's goals would help the club achieve promotion.[20] 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.[21][22] Hanson had a broken toe prior to the match, and received an injection for it 15 minutes before kick-off.[23] Hanson's performance was praised by former manager Steve Kittrick.[24]
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.[25] Hanson scored two goals in the next three League matches, reaching 10 goals for the season,[26] and later that month he stated that the club had to win both forthcoming Easter games.[27] In April 2013, Hanson spoke of the "buzz" around the club as they mounted a play-off challenge.[28] 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.[29][30] In the Final at Wembley, Hanson scored in a 3–0 victory against Northampton Town,[31] and later spoke about how he was looking forward to playing in a higher division.[32]
2013–14 season
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.[33] In July 2013, Hanson was praised by former Bradford City left-back Wayne Jacobs,[34] and in August 2013 Hanson spoke positively of his partnership with teammate Nahki Wells.[35] Wells has also publicly praised his strike partnership with Hanson,[36] as has journalist Simon Parker, who described them as "[one of] the best front pairs that League One has to offer."[37] Hanson has also been praised by manager Phil Parkinson.[38] In October 2013 Hanson spoke about his use of a mind coach.[39] On 29 November 2013 he signed a new contract with the club, taking him up to the end of the 2016–17 season,[40][41] and becoming the first player at the club to sign a new contract that season.[42] In December 2013 fellow Bradford City player Andrew Davies described Wells and Hanson as the best strike pair in the division.[43] The partnership ended when Wells was sold to Huddersfield Town in January 2014.[44] In February 2014, after Hanson scored his 10th goal of the season, Davies spoke about Hanson's increase in playing form.[45] In March 2014, Hanson spoke about new strike partner Aaron McLean's lack of goals for the club,[46] while Hanson himself had scored 6 goals in 9 games.[47] 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.[48] Throughout March and April, Hanson suffered a number of minor injuries which prevented him from playing,[49][50] making only 1 appearance in the past 7 games as of 25 April 2014.[51][52] His work-rate during that season was later praised by former teammate Andy Gray.[53] In 2014, Hanson was diagnosed with arthritis.[11]
2014–15 season
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.[54] In August 2014, after scoring five goals in the season to date, Hanson entered the club's top ten all-time scorer list.[55] In September 2014 it was announced that Hanson was suffering from a thigh injury, and could miss up to 5 matches.[56] In December 2014, following his return from injury, Hanson was kept out of the starting line-up by Jon Stead and Billy Clarke.[57] In January 2015 Hanson praised Stead,[58] while later that month he was himself praised by ex-Bantam striker Dean Windass.[59] Following Bradford City's shock victory in the FA Cup over Chelsea, Hanson was praised by their captain John Terry.[60] Hanson later described the Chelsea match as his favourite game for Bradford City.[61][62]
In April 2015 Hanson declared that he was aiming to score 20 goals a season for the club; at that point he was on 11 goals, having not scored for two months.[63] In May 2015 the club rejected an undisclosed transfer bid for Hanson from Millwall.[64] Despite the rejection, Millwall stated they were still interested in signing Hanson,[65] and Bradford City turned down a second bid a few weeks later.[66] Bradford City delayed any possible transfer while they searched for a replacement,[67] although Hanson later stated he wished to remain at the club.[68][69] Hanson credited manager Phil Parkinson with persuading him to stay at the club.[70]
2015–16 season
At the start of the 2015–16 season, Hanson discussed his striker partnership with new summer signing Devante Cole.[71] He was dropped from the starting XI in October 2015, following a poor performance in a previous game, having played every game up to that point of the season.[72] After an injury to his replacement Steve Davies, Hanson returned to the first-team later that month,[73] scoring in his first game back in the starting XI.[74] In November 2015 he suffered an ankle ligaments injury in an FA Cup game.[75]
On 13 February 2016 he made his 300th appearance for the club, scoring two goals in the process.[76][77] On 23 April 2016 he scored a hat-trick as City beat promotion rivals Walsall 4–0; it was his first professional hat-trick,[78] having previously not started a game since 5 March.[79][80]
2016–17 season
After playing in the first two games of the 2016–17 season, Hanson missed over a month of play due to a calf problem.[81][82] He scored his first goal of the season in a 3–2 victory against AFC Wimbledon on 29 October, scoring twice.[83] Upon leaving Bradford City, he had scored 91 goals in 335 appearances, and was third on the club's all time scorer list.[11]
Sheffield United
On 21 January 2017 Sheffield United made an offer for Hanson.[84] The transfer was completed on 24 January 2017.[85] He stated that he was looking forward to playing against his old club.[86] He scored on his debut in a 4–0 win over AFC Wimbledon on 4 February 2017.[87] In August 2017 and November 2017 he was linked with a return to Bradford City, although the club's manager Stuart McCall dismissed the rumours.[88][89]
Hanson made his debut in the Championship in November 2017, against Fulham.[90]
He moved on loan to Bury in January 2018.[91][92] He was transfer-listed by Sheffield United at the end of the 2017–18 season.[93]
Hanson struggled with minor injuries during the 2018–19 season.[98] Wimbledon's last game of the season was away at Hanson's former club Bradford City.[98]
In June 2019 he was linked with a possible return to Bradford City, but the link was denied by City manager Gary Bowyer.[99]
On 12 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Grimsby at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.[103]
Non-league
On 13 July 2021, Hanson signed with National League North side Farsley Celtic, having rejected interest from a number of League Two and National League clubs,[104][105] to return to part-time football.[106]
On 14 January 2022, Hanson signed for Boston United until end of the 2021–22 season.[107][108][109] He was not retained at the end of the season.[110]
On 12 June 2022, Hanson signed for Worksop Town ahead of the 2022–23 season.[111]
Hanson announced his retirement in January 2024.[112][113] He was later praised by former Bradford City strike partner Nahki Wells.[114]
In March 2024, Hanson came out of retirement to join Bradford (Park Avenue).[115][116][117] He re-signed with the club for the 2024–25 season.[118] His contract with Park Avenue was on a 'pay as you play' basis, to fit around his family and work life.[119]
Hanson retired for a second time in October 2024.[120][121]
Hanson attended Beckfoot School in Bingley from 1999 to 2004.[123] Hanson and his girlfriend Jodie had their first child, a daughter named Lexie, in November 2012.[124] Lexie was blessed the day after her father scored in the League Two Playoff Final at Wembley.[125] Jodie is a teacher who remained in the north when Hanson moved to London to play for Wimbledon.[126]
Hanson has fundraised for former teammate Stephen Darby's MND charity.[127]
^Five appearances and three goals in Northern Challenge Cup, one appearance and one goal in West Riding County Cup, one appearance in Northern Premier League playoffs
