Tim Hanley

Hanley grew up in Los Altos, California, and began playing soccer in 1974. He was fourteen at the time. In his words, "I played one half in the field, hated it and moved into nets until I retired from the professional ranks ten years later."^[1] Hanley graduated from Los Altos High School in 1978 and entered Foothill College, a two-year community college in Los Altos Hills. Although a junior college, Foothill, at the time boasted one of the best college teams in California. In 1980, he trained briefly with Blackburn F.C., playing one reserve game, and with Blackpool F.C. After the fall 1980 collegiate season, Hanley decided against transferring to an NCAA college in favor of turning professional.

When Hanley turned professional, he had several options. The San Francisco Fog of Major Indoor Soccer League and the Golden Gate Gales of the American Soccer League both drafted him. However, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 1980–81 NASL Indoor season. In 1981, San Jose Earthquakes starting goalkeeper Mike Hewitt broke his thumb. The team quickly moved to sign Hanley as a backup, but he ended up playing several games during the 1981 season. In 1982, he moved to Hibernian F.C. of the Scottish Football League. At the time, American players found it nearly impossible to gain contracts with European teams. As a result, Hanley played for Hibernian "on trial". The team paid for his lodging, meals and provided him with a small cash salary. In 1983, he returned to the Earthquakes where he played the last two seasons of the NASL. Following the collapse of the league in 1984, he moved to Servette F.C. in the Swiss First Division. Once again, he found himself paid on a cash basis without a contract. With a wife to support, he elected to retire from playing professionally and turn to coaching.^[1] Former NFL-great John Brodie was his father-in-law.^[2][3]