He went on to play in all of the remaining 35 league games of the 1969–70 campaign, at the end of which Blackpool were promoted to Division One as runners-up.
In a league match against Chelsea at Bloomfield Road on 24 October 1970, Blackpool were leading 3–0 when the Londoners fought back to make the scoreline 3–3.
He scored three more goals in the league — one in a 2–1 home defeat to Norwich City on 11 September; another one against Sheffield Wednesday, this time at Hillsborough, in a 2–1 victory on 8 January 1972; and one in a final-day 5–0 whitewash of Charlton Athletic at Bloomfield Road.
Hatton continued to be a regular at right-back during 1972–73, making 33 league appearances and scoring one goal — his third against Sheffield Wednesday in two seasons, this time in a 2–1 defeat at Bloomfield Road on 16 December 1972.
During the 1973–74 season, under new manager Harry Potts, Hatton played at right-back, left-back, and one game as a forward.