Tim Hanley 1981(id)

Tim Hanley was born 27th March, 1960 in Palo Alto, California. Tim 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.” Tim 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, Foothills at the time boasted one of the best college team in California. In 1980, he trained briefly with Blackburn Rovers, playing one reserve game, and with Blackpool F.C. After the fall 1980 collegiate season, he decided against transferring to an NCAA college in favor of turning professional.

When Tim turned professional, he had several options. The San Francisco Fog of the MISL and the Golden Gate Gales of the ASL both drafted him. However, he signed with the Rowdies for the 1980-1981 NASL indoor season. He appeared in 5 games.

In 1981, San Jose Earthquakes starting goalkeeper Mike Hewitt broke his thumb. The team quickly moved to sign Hanley as a back up, 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, Tim 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 were 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.

In 1985, Tim began his career as a goalkeeper coach. He served in that capacity in the A-League and Premier Development League for teams including the San Francisco Bay Seals, California Jaguars and Silicon Valley Ambassadors.

In 1997, he was hired as the goalkeeper coach for the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer. He remained with the team every year, except 2000, through its name change in 1999 to the San Jose Earthquakes and its move in 2006 to Houston where it became the Houston Dynamo.

In July 2006, he left the Houstan Dynamo to move to the Los Angeles Galaxy. He was released from the team in August 2007.