Bradford City secured the ultimate bargain with £7.5k transfer settlement | OneFootball

Bradford City signed James Hanson from Guiseley in 2009, and he went on to be a club legend at the Bantams.

When Bradford City signed James Hanson from Guiseley in 2009, few would have thought that the local lad who had no professional experience would end up being key during one of the Bantams’ best periods in recent memory.

A former shelf-stacker at a Co-op, Hanson arrived at Valley Parade with a point to prove despite signing for just £7,500. Over the course of eight seasons, Hanson developed into a reliable, hard-working striker and a fan favourite.

Hanson's role in a historic season

His most significant contribution came during the 2012/13 season when his goals helped City achieve both a historic League Cup final appearance and promotion to League One.

Considering his output and importance during that campaign alone, Hanson’s transfer remains one of the best pieces of business in the club’s modern history.

Hanson’s style of play was not complicated. He was a classic target man, strong in the air and willing to put his body on the line.

His physical presence and ability to hold up the ball made him an ideal partner for more mobile forwards.

Nakhi Wells was the perfect partner for Hanson, and the two of them struck up one of the most iconic partnerships in Bantams history.

Hanson wasn’t the most prolific striker Bradford ever had, but his contributions often came at vital moments. That quality was never more evident than in the 2012/13 season.

Bradford's League Cup run in 2012/13 was one of the most remarkable stories in English football. The Bantams, then a League Two side, defeated three Premier League clubs on their way to the final.

Hanson scored two goals during the competition, including one of the most important goals in the club’s history. In the semi-final second leg against Aston Villa at Villa Park, with Bradford under pressure and clinging to a 3-2 aggregate lead, Hanson headed in a crucial goal.

That moment effectively sealed their place at Wembley with a 4-3 aggregate win.

It was made even more remarkable after the match when news came out that he had actually been playing with a broken toe, having taken an injection 15 minutes before the game to subside the pain.

League glory for the Bantams

His influence didn’t stop with the League Cup. In the League Two campaign, Hanson scored 12 goals, many of which were decisive. Bradford finished seventh in the table and qualified for the play-offs.

In the semi-final against Burton Albion, Hanson again delivered. After a 3-2 defeat in the first leg, Bradford needed to overturn the deficit at the Pirelli Stadium. Hanson scored a crucial goal in the second leg to give an aggregate lead at the time.

Bradford went on to win 5-4 on aggregate. In the final at Wembley, they beat Northampton Town 3-0 to secure promotion to League One. The striker continued his run of scoring when it mattered most, netting the opener in the final against the Cobblers.

By the end of the 2012/13 season, Hanson had played 58 games in all competitions and scored 15 goals. But his contribution can’t be measured by statistics alone. He was a key figure in one of the most successful seasons in Bradford’s recent history. His goals changed games, and his presence and work rate helped define the team’s identity under manager Phil Parkinson.

Following seasons

Not content with just one cup shock with the Bantams, Hanson was also heavily involved in the 2014/15 FA Cup win over Chelsea, helping to dominate the Blues defence and help his team to a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.

John Terry even personally praised him for his aerial ability.

Hanson remained with Bradford until January 2017, making over 300 appearances and scoring 91 goals for the club. His departure to Sheffield United ended a long and loyal chapter. While his career after Bradford included spells at several lower-league clubs, he never replicated the form or impact he had during his Valley Parade days.

The decision to sign Hanson for £7,500 looks like a masterstroke in hindsight. In an era where clubs can spend millions on strikers who fail to deliver, Hanson’s story is a reminder of the value of smart recruitment and giving opportunities to players from non-league backgrounds.

For Bradford fans, Hanson’s name is etched into club history. He was part of a team that defied expectations, beat Premier League opposition, and brought the club back to League One.

All for less than the cost of a week's wages for an average Championship player. In purely footballing terms, Bradford got more than their money’s worth.