Carlisle United at the time were a steady, mid-table outfit and manager Bob Stokoe was always on the look-out for a sharp deal that could help to take the club onwards and upwards.
Hatton began his Carlisle United career playing alongside Hugh McIlmoyle, but was soon thrown in at the deep end when the Scot moved to Middlesbrough.
Hatton played a major part in Birmingham City's promotion to the top flight in the 1971–72 season partnering Trevor Francis and Bob Latchford.
Hatton scored the only goal in the 1975 FA Cup Quarter Final win over Middlesbrough in front of over 53,000 fans and played in Division One till 1976.
Hatton's successful striking partnership with Keith Edwards was one of the main reasons why Sheffield United achieved promotion back up from the Fourth Division at the first attempt in 1981–82.