Wayne Hughes (footballer) explained

Wayne Hughes
Fullname:Byron Wayne Hughes
Height:[1]
Birth Date:1958 3, df=y
Birth Place:Port Talbot, Wales
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1974–1976
Youthclubs1:West Bromwich Albion
Years1:1976–1979
Clubs1:West Bromwich Albion
Caps1:6
Goals1:2
Years2:1979
Clubs2:Tulsa Roughnecks
Caps2:29
Goals2:12
Years3:1979–1982
Clubs3:Cardiff City
Caps3:46
Goals3:1
Years4:1982–1983
Clubs4:Bath City
Years5:1984
Clubs5:Bath City
Years6:1984–1985
Clubs6:Paulton Rovers
Years7:1985
Clubs7:Yeovil Town
Nationalteam1:Wales U21
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0

Byron Wayne Hughes (born 8 March 1958) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. During his career, he made over 50 appearances in the Football League during spells with West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City and also played in the NASL for Tulsa Roughnecks. He also represented Wales at youth level, winning three caps for the Wales under-21 team.

Career

Having had unsuccessful trials with Everton, Leeds United and Manchester City,[2] Hughes began his career with West Bromwich Albion, joining the club's youth system as an apprentice in 1974.[3] He went on to captain the Baggies youth side and was part of the team that won the 1976 FA Youth Cup final against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[4] He signed his first professional contract with West Brom in March 1976 made his debut in May 1977, in the final match of the 1976–77 season, during a 4–0 defeat against Aston Villa. However, he struggled to establish himself in the first-team and made eight appearances during his time with the club.[3] He instead joined the Tulsa Roughnecks in the North American Soccer League in January 1979 and scored 12 times during his only season at the club.[5]

In October 1979, Cardiff City manager Richie Morgan paid £70,000 to bring Hughes to the club,[4] making his debut for the club on 6 October 1979 in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town.[6] He remained with the club for three seasons as they struggled in the Second Division and was released at the end of the 1981–82 season after they suffered relegation to Division Three.[4] Following his release, he joined Bath City but retired from football after a single season. He later decided to return to football after eight months, playing for Bath for a second time and later had spells with Paulton Rovers and Yeovil Town.[7]

Later life

After retiring from football, Hughes worked as a pub landlord in Swansea before becoming a hotelier in Blackpool.[3] Wayne then played Sunday football he played for Burn Naze FC, and in the 1989 local cup final beat Mammas FC 5-1,he then played for the famous Mammas FC in Blackpool winning back to back Lancashire Sunday Trophy titles in 1993 and 1994 as well as being the only team to win the "Grand Slam" of four trophies in 1993.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81 . registration . Jack . Rollin . Queen Anne Press. London . 1980 . 0362020175 . 114.
  2. Web site: History: On this day – 8th March . Albion Till We Die . 4 November 2017.
  3. Web site: Wayne Hughes . Old Baggies Former Players' Association . 8 March 2017 . 4 November 2017.
  4. Book: Hayes, Dean . The Who's Who of Cardiff City . Breedon Books . 2006 . 93 . Derby . 1-85983-462-0.
  5. Web site: Wayne Hughes . North American Soccer League Players . 4 November 2017.
  6. Book: Shepherd, Richard . The Definitive: Cardiff City F.C. . SoccerData Publications . 2002 . 79 . Nottingham . 1-899-46817-X.
  7. Web site: Past Players – H . Bath City F.C. . 4 November 2017.