Born in the Holderness village of Patrington, forward John Hawley first joined Hull City on amateur terms in the summer of 1972.
Making his debut against one of his future clubs Sunderland on 21 April 1973, the forward netted his first goals for the club in his second season, scoring three in 19 league appearances. The 1974/75 campaign saw his best return in a City shirt with seven goals in 31 league starts, before being loaned to St Louis Stars in America.
Signing a professional contract with the Tigers in 1976, Hawley continued to be a consistent presence in the forward line at Boothferry Park with his skill and tenacity, with one of his most notable performances coming against Wolves in October 1976, netting a brace in a 2-0 win.
Leaving the club in the 1978 close season, the forward represented Leeds United, Sunderland and Arsenal, along with a loan move at Leyton Orient. While with the Gunners, Hawley would rejoin the Tigers on loan in December 1982. Adding a further three appearances to take his tally to 140 appearances, a then-28-year-old Hawley scored his 26th and final City goal in a 3-0 win over Colchester United.
Later representing Happy Valley in Hong Kong, Bradford City and Scunthorpe United, Hawley later worked as a coach at Nottingham Forest, a football agent before returning to his family antiques business.
