Before I get into the stats and facts I would like to say something that’s more personal for me. I have watched football since a young age, but I never really took a deep interest until around 2009. And since then I have watched Blackburn become a very different team, grow and change, get worse and get better. I have seen many players come through and leave from Benni McCarthy to Phil Jones, N’Zonzi to Samba. In fact since I started watching, the team has changed completely many times over. Not as many as older fans will have seen. But one player who has always been in that squad weather that be on the bench or in the first team has been Grant Hanley. So for me to see Grant Hanley leaving now only leaves Jason Lowe as one of the original 11 that I started watching when I was 11. But unlike Hanley I don’t feel a connection with Lowe because he is so injury prone that I have never become used to watching his style of play but with Hanley I have watched for all 6 years grow and develop. So I personally will be very upset to see him leave.
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Born in Scotland and made in Blackburn, Hanley joined the Blackburn youth academy at the age of 16 and joined the first team when he was 18. Since then he has made 183 appearances and has scored 8 goals in the 6 years.
My personal favourite memory of Hanley had to be the winning goal against Manchester United in the 3 – 2 thriller just to ruin Sir Alex’s birthday and in a way win Man City the title. If you think about it.
When Blackburn played West Ham last season Hanley was the only player out of all 22 starters and all benched players who was in the squad when the team met previously in the Prem.
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Hanley had for me his best season, last season showing strength and knowledge that he previously had never shown. He has improved so much since I started watching him and he fully deserved his Player of the season trophy. Although the curse of the trophy has struck again.
I really do hope that Hanley continues to get game time at Newcastle as it would be a real shame and waste of talent if he is benched. I also hope he succeeds at Newcastle as he is one of my favourite players and always will be.
Good luck Hanley see you in November!
I really do hope that Hanley continues to get game time at Newcastle as it would be a real shame and waste of talent if he is benched. I also hope he succeeds at Newcastle as he is one of my favourite players and always will be.
Good luck Hanley see you in November!
