Karl Leon Hawley (born 6 December 1981) is an English retired professional footballer. He has represented the England C team.
Career Early career
Born in Walsall, West Midlands, Hawley started his career at his hometown club, Walsall, but made only one league appearance. During his time at the club, he had loan spells with Raith Rovers and Hereford United, where he scored his first senior goal against Burton Albion.
After being released by Walsall in 2004, he briefly joined Hednesford Town, but made just one start before being released at the end of the 2003–04 season.
Carlisle United
In the summer of 2004, Hawley joined Carlisle United in the Conference. He played a pivotal role in the club's return to the Football League, scoring 13 goals in his debut season and continuing to perform strongly the following year. In the 2005–06 season, Hawley was the top scorer in League Two, earning the League Two Fans' Player of the Year award and a place in the League Two Team of the Year. Carlisle also secured promotion to League One that season.
After three successful seasons, where he finished as the club's top scorer, Hawley left Carlisle in May 2007.
Preston North End and Other Clubs
Hawley signed with Preston North End in June 2007, where he initially found form but later struggled for playing time. Loan spells followed at Northampton Town and Colchester United, before signing with Notts County in August 2009. Despite his efforts, Hawley found it difficult to establish himself, and in 2012, he was released.
He subsequently had a short loan spell with Crawley Town and later signed for Scunthorpe United in September 2012. Hawley performed well at Scunthorpe, scoring five goals in 17 appearances, which led to a contract extension.
Later Career and Retirement
In 2013, Hawley signed for Torquay United but left the club in 2014 by mutual consent. He then joined Alfreton Town, where he had a successful spell, including scoring two goals in a notable victory over his former club, Carlisle United. After one season, Alfreton chose not to renew his contract.
Hawley later signed with Stourbridge in the summer of 2015 and went on to become the Evo-Stik League Premier Division Player of the Season in 2015–16. His playing career concluded with spells at Rushall Olympic and Boston United, before retiring from professional football.
Coaching career After his stint at Stourbridge, Hawley transitioned into coaching. In 2023, he continues to work in football, developing youth players and contributing to grassroots football programs. His most prominent coaching role came when he joined Mansfield Town as a first-team coach in 2016. In October 2017, he served briefly as the club's temporary manager before stepping down on 12 November 2017.Chairman welcomes new manager‚ bostonunited.co.uk, 12 November 2017
Since 2023, Hawley has been actively involved in coaching at various levels, focusing on youth development. He has been working with football academies in the West Midlands. Hawley has also been involved in several grassroots football initiatives aimed at increasing participation in the sport in underrepresented areas. He is also a regular guest on local football shows, providing insights into lower league football.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWalsall2000–01 Second Division0000002Appearances in Football League Trophy0202001–02First Division10000000102002–03First Division00000000002003–04First Division0010000010Total1010002040Raith Rovers (loan)2002–03Scottish Second Division177311000218Hereford United (loan)2002–03Football Conference6100—0061Raith Rovers (loan)2003–04Scottish First Division92001000102Hednesford Town2003–04SFL - Premier Division1000—0010Carlisle United2004–05Conference National401340—3One appearance in FA Trophy and two in Conference National play-offs047132005–06League Two462210107455262006–07League One32121020003512Total11847603010413751Preston North End2007–08Championship2533210—2952008–09Championship5000200070Total303323000365Northampton Town (loan)2008–09League One11200—00112Colchester United (loan)2008–09League One4000—0040Notts County2009–10League Two3135110103842010–11League One2404000102902011–12League One262321011315Total8151232031989Crawley Town (loan)2011–12League Two40——0040Scunthorpe United2012–13League One39111000004011Torquay United2013–14League Two273101010303Alfreton Town2014–15Conference Premier341021—2Appearances in FA Trophy03811Stourbridge2015–16NPL - Premier Division462431—305225Rushall Olympic2016–17NPL - Premier Division????—????Boston United2016–17National League North10200—001022017–18National League North9110—00101Total193100000203Career total447118338110215512131
Honours Carlisle United Football League Two: 2005–06 Conference National play-offs: 2005 Football League Trophy runner-up: 2005–06
Notts County Football League Two: 2009–10
Individual PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2005–06 League Two PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 Football League Two, 2006–07 Football League Two Football League Two Player of the Year: 2006–07 Evo-Stik League Supporter's Player of the Season: 2015–16 Evo-Stik League Premier Division Player of the Season: 2015–16
References
External links
Karl Hawley player profile at pnefc.net