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Carlisle's 24-year old frontman has had an outstanding season and is probably the main man to thank for United's position at the top of the table, albeit as part of a fantastic squad effort. Building on last year, his first with the Cumbrians, when he scored 15 goals, Hawley has gone on from strength to strength this term and his finishing has been sublime at times, not to mention his overall workrate.
Hawley has scored a netbusting 19 goals in League Two already this season and has also notched three more in the LDV Vans Trophy to play a big part in United reaching the Northern Area final, the result of that tie being settled tomorrow night when the Blues travel to Macclesfield. As well as an excellent goal return "the hitman" is also sitting in joint third in the League Two goal assists table, with nine assists leading to goals Hawley is the top Carlisle man in the list, one ahead of midfielder Chris Lumsdon.
Not forgetting that way back in the middle of October he grabbed two hat-tricks in consecutive league games, firstly in a 6-0 home demolition of Stockport County and then again in a hard-fought 4-3 win at Torquay United two weeks later. That was a fantastic feat for the ex-Raith striker as it meant he was the first player to score consecutive league hat-tricks since Jimmy McConnell did so for the Blues 75 years ago in the 1930-31 season.
All-in-all it's been a wonderful campaign for Hawley and his form has, unsurprisingly, seen scouts from other clubs flocking to Brunton Park to take a look at what he has to offer. Hawley is under contract until the end of the 2006-07 season though and only a big money move to a Premiership or top Championship club would see him leave Carlisle in the summer. A more pressing issue for the United star however is the need to keep banging in the goals and working hard to try and earn what would be a fantastic promotion and LDV Vans Trophy double for the Blues on their first season back in the Football League.
Congratulations to Karl, and to the efforts of the rest of the first-team squad, in winning the award last night from all at CUFC Online.