[4] Born in Cambuslang in Scotland, Hanlin featured prominently in Bristol City's successes in the first decade of the 20th century under Manager Harry Thickett.
Hanlin made 14 appearances at wing back replacing Peter Chambers in 1905–06 for the "Robins" when Bristol City finished as Second Division champions.
Arthur Spear, Reuben Marr and Pat Hanlin shared the wing half duties in the next two seasons both spent in the First Division.
He made 24 appearances at wing half in 1909–10 and was the regular left half with 32 appearances, missing only six matches, in 1910–11 the season when Bristol City were relegated back to the Second Division[3] before leaving City in the summer of 1911.
[1] He returned to Scotland, retired from professional football, and lived quietly until his death in Dunfermline, on 22 March 1965[2]