Luke Hannant

{{short description|English footballer (born 1993)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Luke Hannant

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Luke James Hannant{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Cambridge United |publisher=English Football League |page=16 |accessdate=19 September 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|04|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2018-2019/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}

| birth_place = Great Yarmouth,{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerpunter.com/players/460100-Luke--Hannant|title=Luke Hannant Profile and Statistics|work=Players|publisher=SoccerPunter|accessdate=20 January 2018}} England

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}{{cite web |title=Luke Hannant - Midfielder - First Team - Port Vale |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/luke-hannant/ |website = Port Vale F.C. |accessdate=3 November 2018 |language=en-gb}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Gateshead

| clubnumber = 19

| youthyears1 = 2003–2008

| youthclubs1 = Norwich City

| youthyears2 = 2010–2012

| youthclubs2 = Cambridge United

| years1 = 2012–2014

| clubs1 = Dereham Town

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2014–2016

| clubs2 = Team Northumbria

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 2016–2018

| clubs3 = Gateshead

| caps3 = 37

| goals3 = 4

| years4 = 2016

| clubs4 = → South Shields (dual registration)

| caps4 = 4

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2018–2019

| clubs5 = Port Vale

| caps5 = 63

| goals5 = 4

| years6 = 2019–2021

| clubs6 = Cambridge United

| caps6 = 70

| goals6 = 4

| years7 = 2021–2023

| clubs7 = Colchester United

| caps7 = 61

| goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2023

| clubs8 = → Dundee (loan)

| caps8 = 14

| goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2023–

| clubs9 = Gateshead

| caps9 = 88

| goals9 = 24

| club-update = 16:00, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

}}

Luke James Hannant (born 4 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|Gateshea}} club Gateshead.

Hannant spent his youth with Norwich City and Cambridge United before embarking on a degree at Northumbria University. During his time as a student, he played non-League football for Dereham Town and Team Northumbria. He helped Dereham win the Eastern Counties League Premier Division championship title in 2012–13. He joined Gateshead in 2016, and after returning from a dual registration spell at South Shields, managed to establish himself in the first team. Port Vale signed him in January 2018 before he made a return to Cambridge United in May 2019 and helped the club to win promotion out of League Two at the end of the 2020–21 season. However, he remained in League Two as he left Cambridge to join Colchester United. He joined Scottish club Dundee on loan in January 2023. He rejoined Gateshead in August 2023 and helped the club to the FA Trophy title in 2024. He was the club's Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season.

Career

=Early career=

Hannant spent his youth at the Academy at Norwich City before being released at the age of 14. At that point, he joined the Cambridge United youth team. Released by Cambridge at 18, he took up a football scholarship at Northumbria University. He would graduate with a 2:1 Sport & Exercise Science degree in 2016.{{cite web|title=Northumbria University|url=https://m.thepfa.com/education/other-courses/northumbria-university|website=m.thepfa.com|accessdate=20 January 2018|language=en}} During this time he also played in the Eastern Counties League and Isthmian League for Dereham Town and in the Northern League for Team Northumbria. He was an important part of the "Magpies" side that finished the 2012–13 season as champions of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division.{{cite web|title=Flown From the Nest - Luke Hannant|url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/hannant.htm|website=www.ex-canaries.co.uk|accessdate=21 January 2018}}

=Gateshead=

He spent the summer of 2016 on trial at Gateshead before agreeing to join the club on non-contract terms.{{cite news|last1=Mitchinson|first1=Rory|title=Hannant agrees Heed switch – Gateshead FC|url=https://www.gateshead-fc.com/hannant-agrees-non-contract-terms/|accessdate=20 January 2018|work=www.gateshead-fc.com}} He went on to join Northern League Division One club South Shields on a dual registration deal.{{cite web|last1=Prince|first1=Daniel|title=Winger Luke Hannant joins on dual-registration deal - South Shields FC|url=https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/winger-luke-hannant-joins-on-dual-registration-deal/|website=South Shields FC|accessdate=20 January 2018|date=23 September 2016}} He scored on his debut for the "Mariners" in a 5–0 home win over Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association on 27 September.{{cite web|last1=Prince|first1=Daniel|title=South Shields 5-0 Jarrow Roofing: Mariners dominant in derby victory - South Shields FC|url=https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/10587-2/|website=South Shields FC|accessdate=20 January 2018|date=27 September 2016}} He played a total of four games for South Shields.{{cite web|title=Luke Hannant - South Shields FC|url=https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/player/luke-hannant/|website=South Shields FC|accessdate=20 January 2018}} He made his National League debut for the "Tynesiders" on 22 October, in a 2–0 win at Maidstone United.{{cite news|title=Maidstone United 0-2 Gateshead|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37664238|accessdate=20 January 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=22 October 2016}} He scored his first goal for the "Heed" on New Year's Eve, in a 4–1 victory over Barrow at the Gateshead International Stadium, where he was also named as man of the match.{{cite web|last1=Surr|first1=Dominic|title=Hannant 'Buzzing' After First Heed Goal – Gateshead FC|url=https://www.gateshead-fc.com/hannant-buzzing-after-first-heed-goal/|website=www.gateshead-fc.com|accessdate=20 January 2018}} He was signed to a contract at Gateshead in March 2017, which would keep him tied to the club in summer 2018.{{cite news|last1=Bowron|first1=Jeff|title=Gateshead FC extend forward's stay at the club after impressing this season|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gateshead-fc-extend-forwards-stay-12698952|accessdate=20 January 2018|work=NE Chronicle|date=6 March 2017}} He ended the 2016–17 season with two goals in 21 appearances, and scored three goals in 23 games in the first half of the 2017–18 campaign. Speaking in January 2018, manager Steve Watson said that "Hannant has been one of our best players this season".{{cite news|last1=Bowron|first1=Jeff|title=Gateshead lose Luke Hannant - Steve Watson's verdict as Port Vale land midfielder|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gateshead-lose-luke-hannant-steve-14173880|accessdate=20 January 2018|work=NE Chronicle|date=18 January 2018}}

=Port Vale=

On 18 January 2018, Hannant signed an 18-month contract with EFL League Two side Port Vale after being signed for an undisclosed fee – reported to be a low five-figure sum – by Neil Aspin, his former manager at Gateshead.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42739170 |title=Luke Hannant: Port Vale sign Gateshead midfielder for undisclosed fee |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2018 |accessdate=18 January 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale sign Luke Hannant from Gateshead|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-sign-luke-hannant-1082884|accessdate=20 January 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=18 January 2018}} Despite being a newcomer to the English Football League, he was described as "a rare positive for the Valiants in a difficult start to 2018", and credited his good start to his career to the support of fellow midfielders Michael Tonge, Antony Kay and Danny Pugh.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Luke Hannant determined to make Exeter game after impressive start at Port Vale|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/luke-hannant-determined-make-exeter-1204330|accessdate=12 February 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=12 February 2018}} On 17 March, he scored his first goal in the Football League with curling effort from outside the box in a 2–2 draw with Stevenage at Vale Park; he went on to say that "I was a bit speechless when it went in".{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Comment as Port Vale edge towards safety and fans vent frustration at owner|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/comment-port-vale-edge-towards-1353576|accessdate=18 March 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=18 March 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Roper|first1=Matty|title=Luke Hannant on his first Vale goal: "I was speechless when it went in."|url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2018/march/luke-hannant-on-his-first-vale-goal-i-was-speechless-when-it-went-in/|accessdate=18 March 2018|work=port-vale.co.uk|date=18 March 2018|language=en-gb}}

He began the 2018–19 season in good form on the left-side of midfield, scoring two goals in the opening five games, including a brilliant curling free kick away at Carlisle United.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Luke Hannant in no doubt Port Vale's away form must improve |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/luke-hannant-no-doubt-port-1926425 |accessdate=23 August 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=22 August 2018}} This led to reports that he was being monitored by EFL Championship club Bolton Wanderers.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Neil Aspin maps out route for Port Vale's Luke Hannant to play at higher level |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/luke-hannant-port-vale-bolton-1967477 |accessdate=4 September 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=4 September 2018}} However, despite making 50 appearances during the campaign, manager John Askey confirmed that he would not be offering Hannant a new contract on 16 May.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale's retained list in full as nine players are released |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-retained-list-released-2874111 |accessdate=16 May 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 May 2019}}

=Cambridge United=

On 28 May 2019, Hannant returned to Cambridge United to sign a two-year deal with an option for another year.{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2019/may/luke-hannant-signs/|title=Luke Hannant Signs|website=www.cambridge-United.co.uk|date=28 May 2019}} Manager Colin Calderwood said that "Luke has good experience in senior football and caught my eye against us at the Abbey".{{cite news |title=Luke Hannant: Cambridge United sign midfielder on deal until 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48437386 |accessdate=28 May 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2019}} He picked up an ankle injury in February 2020 and was sidelined for six weeks.{{cite news |title=Cambridge United midfielder Luke Hannant suffers injury blow |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/cambridge-united-midfielder-luke-hannant-suffers-injury-blow-9099566/ |accessdate=3 April 2020 |work=Cambridge Independent |date=13 February 2020 |language=en}} However, the COVID-19 pandemic in England meant that he had to wait until August to complete a full day's training with the club.{{cite news |title=Watch Luke Hannant On Return To Fitness Ahead Of Pre-season |url=https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2020/august/hannant-pre-season-2021/ |accessdate=3 August 2020 |work=www.cambridge-united.co.uk |date=3 August 2020 |language=en-gb}}

He enjoyed a strong first half to the 2020–21 season, playing on both wings and either side of a midfield diamond, providing eight assists and scoring five goals by February.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Cambridge report - Luke Hannant thriving ahead of Port Vale game |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cambridge-united-report-luke-hannant-5050783 |access-date=26 February 2021 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=26 February 2021 |language=en}} Cambridge went on to secure promotion at the end of the season, with Hannant scoring seven goals from 48 appearances.{{cite news |last1=Page |first1=Stephen |title=Cambridge United promoted to League One after final day win against Grimsby Town |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cambridge-united-secure-promotion-league-20556056 |access-date=12 May 2021 |work=CambridgeshireLive |date=8 May 2021 |language=en}}

=Colchester United=

Hannant left Cambridge after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract and chose to remain in League Two, joining Colchester United on a two-year deal on 10 June 2021.{{cite web |title=Colchester United sign Ipswich's Luke Chambers & Cambridge's Luke Hannant |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57428886 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021}} Hannant stated that "I'm 27 now and I needed to go somewhere where I know I'm going to play a lot of minutes".{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |title=U's complete double swoop for Luke Chambers and Luke Hannant |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/19363780.colchester-united-bolster-squad-two-new-signings/ |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=Gazette |date=11 June 2021 |language=en}} He made his debut at the Colchester Community Stadium on 14 August 2021, coming on as a substitute in Colchester's 1–0 defeat to Northampton Town.{{cite web |title=Colchester United 0–1 Northampton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58124824 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2021 |access-date=15 August 2021}} He was a regular first-team player under Hayden Mullins, before being sidelined by interim head coach Wayne Brown.{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |title='They're going to be needed': Wayne Brown on U's out of favour players |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19950231.colchester-united-interim-boss-wayne-brown-competition/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Gazette |date=24 February 2022 |language=en}} He made 27 starts and 16 substitute appearances in the 2021–22 season, picking up two assists and five yellow cards.{{cite web |title=Luke Hannant - Players - Colchester United |url=https://www.coludata.co.uk/player/luke-hannant |website=www.coludata.co.uk |access-date=22 May 2022 |language=en}} He featured in 29 matches during the first half of the 2022–23 campaign, scoring three goals. Hannant was released at the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Club Announces Retained List |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/may/retained-list/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=www.cu-fc.com |language=en-gb}}

== Dundee (loan) ==

On 31 January 2023, Hannant joined Scottish Championship club Dundee on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2023 |title=Luke joins |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/luke-joins/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Dundee Football Club}} He joined Colchester teammate Ryan Clampin, who was already on loan at Dundee.{{cite news |last1=Gregory |first1=David |title=Hannant Heads To Dundee On Loan |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2023/january/luke-hannant/ |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=www.cu-fc.com |date=31 January 2023 |language=en-gb}} Hannant made his debut as a substitute on 12 February in a 3–0 league victory over Cove Rangers.{{Cite news |title=Dundee v Cove Rangers |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63896823 |access-date=2023-02-12}} Hannant scored his first goal for the Dark Blues on 15 April in a 3–3 draw at home to Greenock Morton.{{Cite news |title=Dramatic equaliser takes Dundee a point clear |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65217941 |access-date=2023-04-15}} He would complete a successful loan spell by starting in Dundee's win over Queen's Park which would clinch the Scottish Championship title for the Dee.{{Cite news |title=Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65420805 |access-date=2023-05-05}}

=Return to Gateshead=

On 2 August 2023, Hannant rejoined Gateshead on a two-year deal.{{cite news |last1=McGraghan |first1=Jack |title=Luke Hannant returns to Gateshead |url=https://gateshead-fc.com/luke-hannant-returns-to-gateshead/ |access-date=2 August 2023 |work=Gateshead FC |date=2 August 2023 |language=en}} He scored 1 goals in 50 games during the 2023–24 season, including a brace in a 2–1 win over champions Chesterfield that secured Gateshead a place in the play-offs.{{cite news |title=Luke Hannant brace clinches Gateshead play-off place |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles/luke-hannant-brace-clinches-gateshead-play-off-place-2024-04-15 |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=beIN SPORTS |date=4 April 2024 |language=en-us}} However, due to a stadium issue, Gateshead were not permitted to take part in the play-offs.{{cite news |title=EFL Statement: Gateshead Football Club |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/21/efl-statement--/ |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=EFL |date=21 April 2024 |language=en}} Hannant and Gateshead ended the season on a high, however, as the team beat Solihull Moors in the FA Trophy final.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c03dy70k7wet#Line-ups |title=Gateshead 2–2 Solihull Moors: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2024 |access-date=12 May 2024}}

On 14 December 2024, Hannant scored two goals from the penalty spot in a 4–0 home win over Woking and would have claimed a hat-trick if he had not missed a third penalty kick.{{cite news |title=Luke Hannant denied penalty hat-trick as Gateshead thrash Woking |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/1680875/luke-hannant-denied-penalty-hat-trick-as-gateshead-thrash-woking.html |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=Limerick Leader |date=14 December 2024 |language=en}} He was named as the Supporters' January Player of the Month after having scored two goals in four games.{{cite news |last1=McGraghan |first1=Jack |title=Luke Hannant voted as Supporters' January Player of the Month |url=https://gateshead-fc.com/luke-hannant-voted-as-supporters-january-player-of-the-month/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Gateshead FC |date=30 January 2025 |language=en}} He was named Player's Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season for the 2024–25 campaign, also winning Goal of the Season for his strike against Sutton United, and the Golden Boot award.{{cite news |last1=McGraghan |first1=Jack |title=Luke Hannant wins quadruple at 2024/25 End of Season Awards |url=https://gateshead-fc.com/luke-hannant-wins-quadruple-at-2024-25-end-of-season-awards/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Gateshead FC |date=5 May 2025 |language=en}}

Style of play

Hannant is a versatile two-footed attacking midfielder who can play in central midfield or as a winger.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Scouting report on Port Vale's Luke Hannant, by manager who signed him twice|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/scouting-report-port-vales-luke-1085756|accessdate=20 January 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=18 January 2018}} Port Vale teammate Tom Pope described him as a player with "good energy, is positive, doesn't mind a tackle, is decent in the air and can play as well".{{cite news|last1=Pope|first1=Tom|title=We have to stop quality goalscorer Marc Richards, says Port Vale's Tom Pope|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/stop-swindons-quality-goalscorer-marc-1222004|accessdate=16 February 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=16 February 2018}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 5 May 2025}}

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|FA Cup

!colspan="2"|EFL Cup

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dereham Town

|2013–14{{cite web |title=Dereham Town {{!}} Appearances {{!}} Luke Hannant {{!}} 2013-2014 {{!}} Football Web Pages |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/dereham-town/appearances/2013-2014/luke-hannant/21899 |website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk |access-date=8 November 2021}}

|Isthmian League
Division One North

7000colspan="2"|—0070
rowspan="3"|Gateshead

|2016–17{{Soccerway|luke--hannant/460100}}

|National League

18210colspan="2"|—2{{efn|name=fat|Includes appearance/s and goal/s in the FA Trophy.}}0212
2017–18

|National League

19230colspan="2"|—2{{efn|name=fat}}1243
colspan="2"|Total

!37

440colspan="2"|—41455
South Shields
(dual registration)

|2016–17

|Northern League
Division One

4100colspan="2"|—0041
rowspan="3"|Port Vale

|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=94457|season=2017|accessdate=1 July 2017}}

|League Two

181000000181
2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=94457|season=2018|accessdate=10 January 2019}}

|League Two

45310103{{efn|name=eft|Includes appearance/s and goal/s in the EFL Trophy.}}1504
colspan="2"|Total

!63

4101031685
rowspan="3" |Cambridge United

|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=94457|season=2019|accessdate=10 January 2019}}

|League Two

271002000291
2020–21{{Soccerbase season|id=94457|season=2020|accessdate=10 January 2019}}

|League Two

43410103{{efn|name=eft|Includes appearance/s and goal/s in the EFL Trophy.}}3487
colspan="2"|Total

!70

5103033778
rowspan="3" |Colchester United

|2021–22{{Soccerbase season|id=94457|season=2021|accessdate=10 January 2019}}

|League Two

37010005{{efn|name=eft}}0430
2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=94457|season=2022|accessdate=10 January 2019}}

|League Two

24210113{{efn|name=eft}}0293
colspan="2"|Total

!61

2201080723
Dundee (loan)

|2022–23

|Scottish Championship

141colspan="2" |—colspan="2"|—00141
rowspan="3" |Gateshead

|2023–24

|National League

44922colspan="2" |—5{{efn|name=fat}}05111
2024–25

|National League

441520colspan="2" |—1{{efn|name=fat}}04715
colspan="2"|Total

!88

244200609826
colspan="3" |Career total

!344

411225024538549

{{notelist}}

Honours

Individiual

Dereham Town

Cambridge United

Dundee

Gateshead

References