Karl Leon Hawley (born 6 December 1981) is an English retired professional footballer. He has represented the England C team.

Karl Hawley
Personal information
Full name Karl Leon Hawley
Date of birth (1981-12-06) 6 December 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth Walsall, England
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 Walsall 1 (0)
2002–2003Raith Rovers (loan) 17 (7)
2003Hereford United (loan) 6 (1)
2003Raith Rovers (loan) 9 (2)
2004 Hednesford Town 1 (0)
2004–2007 Carlisle United 118 (47)
2007–2009 Preston North End 30 (3)
2008Northampton Town (loan) 11 (2)
2009Colchester United (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2012 Notts County 81 (5)
2012Crawley Town (loan) 4 (0)
2012–2013 Scunthorpe United 39 (11)
2013–2014 Torquay United 27 (3)
2014–2015 Alfreton Town 33 (10)
2015–2016 Stourbridge 46 (24)
2017 Boston United 19 (3)
2017–2018 Stafford Rangers
2018 Sutton Coldfield
International career
2004–2005 England C 2 (0)
Managerial career
2016 Mansfield Town (first team coach)
2017 Boston United (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 April 2018

Career

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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.[1]

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

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Coaching and Development

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 in November.

2023 Coaching Updates

In 2023, Hawley has been actively involved in coaching at various levels, focusing on youth development. He has been working with local football academies in the West Midlands, where he helps young players transition to professional football. His experience as a forward and his knowledge of lower league football has been particularly valuable in mentoring young strikers. 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 and discussing the challenges facing young footballers aspiring to make it to the professional level.

Coaching career

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After a successful spell at Stourbridge he left at the end of the season for League 2 side Mansfield Town to become a first team coach.

On 30 October 2017, Hawley was hired as a temporary manager. He left the job again on 12 November 2017.[2]

Career statistics

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As of match played 16 December 2017
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Walsall 2000–01[3] Second Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 2 0
2001–02[4] First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2002–03[5] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04[6] First Division 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4 0
Raith Rovers (loan) 2002–03[5] Scottish Second Division 17 7 3 1 1 0 0 0 21 8
Hereford United (loan) 2002–03[5] Football Conference 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
Raith Rovers (loan) 2003–04[6] Scottish First Division 9 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 2
Hednesford Town 2003–04[7] SFL - Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Carlisle United 2004–05[8] Conference National 40 13 4 0 3[b] 0 47 13
2005–06[9] League Two 46 22 1 0 1 0 7[a] 4 55 26
2006–07[10] League One 32 12 1 0 2 0 0 0 35 12
Total 118 47 6 0 3 0 10 4 137 51
Preston North End 2007–08[11] Championship 25 3 3 2 1 0 29 5
2008–09[12] Championship 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 7 0
Total 30 3 3 2 3 0 0 0 36 5
Northampton Town (loan) 2008–09[12] League One 11 2 0 0 0 0 11 2
Colchester United (loan) 2008–09[12] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Notts County 2009–10[13] League Two 31 3 5 1 1 0 1[a] 0 38 4
2010–11[14] League One 24 0 4 0 0 0 1[a] 0 29 0
2011–12[15] League One 26 2 3 2 1 0 1[a] 1 31 5
Total 81 5 12 3 2 0 3 1 98 9
Crawley Town (loan) 2011–12[15] League Two 4 0 0 0 4 0
Scunthorpe United 2012–13[16] League One 39 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 40 11
Torquay United 2013–14[17] League Two 27 3 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 30 3
Alfreton Town 2014–15[18] Conference Premier 34 10 2 1 2[c] 0 38 11
Stourbridge 2015–16 NPL - Premier Division 46 24 3 1 3[c] 0 52 25
Rushall Olympic 2016–17 NPL - Premier Division ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Boston United 2016–17[18] National League North 10 2 0 0 0 0 10 2
2017–18[18] National League North 9 1 1 0 0 0 10 1
Total 19 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 3
Career total 447 118 33 8 11 0 21 5 512 131
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy and two in Conference National play-offs
  3. ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy

Honours

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Carlisle United[19]

Individual

Post-Retirement Activities

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Since retiring, Karl Hawley has remained heavily involved in football. In 2023, he has participated in football charity events and continues to work as a pundit for lower-league matches. Hawley has also been a part of local football community projects, helping to improve facilities and coaching standards at grassroots levels. His work in these areas has earned him recognition in the football community as a former professional who has successfully transitioned into coaching and mentoring roles.

References

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  1. ^ "Karl Hawley Biography - ESPN (IN)". ESPN. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  2. ^ Chairman welcomes new manager‚ bostonunited.co.uk, 12 November 2017
  3. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ^ "Karl Howley". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  9. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  12. ^ a b c "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  13. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Games played by Karl Hawley in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  18. ^ a b c Karl Hawley at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Conference Honours". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
  20. ^ "Carlisle 1–2 Swansea". BBC Sport. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  21. ^ "PFA's Official Fan's Player of the Year Previous Winners". GiveMeFootball.com. Professional Footballers' Association. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  22. ^ "Gerrard named player of the year". BBC Sport. 23 April 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Individual Awards". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
  24. ^ a b "Hat-Trick of Awards for Karl!". stourbridgefc.com.
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