Mark Hughes (footballer, born 1986)

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This article is about the English footballer. For other people with the same name, see Mark Hughes (disambiguation).

Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes NQF.png
Hughes playing for North Queensland Fury in 2011
Personal information
Full name Mark Anthony Hughes[1]
Date of birth (1986-12-09) 9 December 1986 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Kirkby, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Plymouth Argyle (first-team coach)
Youth career
1994–2004 Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Everton 1 (0)
2006 → Stockport County (loan) 3 (0)
2007–2009 Northampton Town 93 (4)
2009–2010 Walsall 26 (1)
2010–2011 North Queensland Fury 30 (4)
2011–2013 Bury 52 (0)
2013 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 5 (0)
2013–2015 Morecambe 84 (8)
2015–2016 Stevenage 20 (1)
2016–2021 Accrington Stanley 210 (9)
2021–2022 Bristol Rovers 6 (0)
Total 524 (26)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Mark Anthony Hughes (born 9 December 1986) is an English former professional footballer who is a first team coach at Plymouth Argyle. An Everton academy graduate, Hughes also played for clubs Northampton Town, Walsall, North Queensland Fury, Bury and Morecambe. Although he played as a central defender, he was capable of being a regular goal scorer, both from the penalty spot and in open play.

Career[]

Early senior career[]

Born in Liverpool, he joined Everton at the age of seven and progressed to the rank of reserve team captain.[3] During his time at Everton, he spent a period in 2006 out on loan at Stockport County in League Two.[4] He signed a new 1-year deal with Everton in April 2006 to keep him at the club until the summer of 2007.

He was a regular captain for the reserves team and made three appearances in the Everton first team. He started in the Football League Cup game against Peterborough United on 20 September 2006 which Everton won 2–1, and came on as a substitute at half time against Luton Town in the following League Cup match which Everton won 4–0, as well as making his Premier League debut on 3 December 2006, being substituted on in the final minutes of a 2–0 victory over West Ham United at Goodison Park.[5]

He moved to Northampton Town on 31 January 2007 for an undisclosed fee and signed a two-year contract. He became a first choice centreback under Stuart Gray, and scored his first goal for the club against Rotherham United on 24 March.

In June 2009 he did not take up an offer of a new contract with Northampton Town. On 8 July, Hughes signed for League One club Walsall on a free transfer. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win at Wycombe Wanderers on 31 October 2009.[6]

He was offered a new contract by Walsall on 10 May 2010.[7]

North Queensland Fury[]

In June 2010, Hughes signed a contract with North Queensland Fury in the Australian A-League.[8] The move came as a surprise, after signing contract acceptance forms with Walsall just one month earlier.[7][9] He was given a role in the leadership group at the Fury upon arrival.[10]

"The decision to come and play in Australia has been life-changing for me. I believe I've improved as a footballer and grown as a man."

—Mark Hughes, speaking at the North Queensland Fury awards night on 18 February 2011.[11]

Hughes quickly made a name for himself in the A-League, having to turn down contracts offered by several other A-League clubs midway through the season, including Sydney FC.[10][12] In total, he scored four goals for the season including one penalty. He went on to be named the Fury's best player of the season at the club's awards night, in addition to receiving the People's Choice Award and the Player's Player Award.[11]

Hughes returned to England after North Queensland Fury ceased operations, and joined newly promoted League One club Bury, having to turn down an offer from A-League club Newcastle Jets.[13]

Bury[]

Hughes signed a two-year contract with Bury on 21 June 2011, subject to a medical and international clearing. This made him new manager Richie Barker's first signing for the club.[14] Hughes scored his first goal for Bury in the opening game of his second season at the club on 12 August 2012, where Bury suffered a 2–1 defeat to Middlesbrough in the League Cup.[15]

Despite being a regular starter for Bury in the 2012–13 season, Hughes was loaned out to League Two side Accrington Stanley on 31 January 2013 for the remainder of the season.[16] He made just five appearances for Accrington before returning to Bury early, after suffering a calf injury.[17]

Hughes was released by Bury at the end of the 2012–13 season, along with fifteen other players, following the club's relegation to League Two.[18] He made a total of 60 appearances for Bury in his two seasons at the club.

Morecambe[]

Following his release from Bury, Hughes signed a two-year deal with League Two club Morecambe on 9 July 2013, and was named as the new club captain on arrival.[19] He was then released by Morecambe on 7 May 2015.[20]

Stevenage[]

Following the release from Morecambe, Mark Hughes signed for Stevenage on 27 May 2015.[21] He was Teddy Sheringham's first summer signing. Hughes' first goal for the club was a late equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Newport County on 15 August 2015.[22]

Accrington Stanley[]

On 29 January 2016, Hughes re-joined Accrington Stanley following his release from Stevenage, signing a short-term contract until the end of the season with the club he had spent time on loan at three years prior.[23] On 30 April 2016, in the penultimate match of the season, Hughes scored his first goal for the club with a 78th minute winner over Wycombe Wanderers that saw Accrington remain in second place, two points clear of fourth place.[24] The season ultimately ended poorly for Accrington as, despite hitting the woodwork three times, they were held to a 0–0 draw by Stevenage on the final day of the season, with a 92nd minute winner from Bristol Rovers' defender Lee Brown seeing Rovers sneak above Accrington into the third and final automatic promotion place, consigning Accrington to the play-offs.[25] Hughes featured in both of the play-off semi final matches as Accrington lost 3–2 on aggregate to AFC Wimbledon.[26][27]

Hughes was a part of the Accrington side that won the 2017–18 League Two title, featuring in all 46 league matches. Promotion to the third tier for the first time in the club's history was confirmed on 17 April 2018 when a double from Billy Kee saw Accrington defeat Yeovil Town.[28] The title was confirmed on the penultimate day of the season with a 1–0 victory over Lincoln City.[29] Hughes was rewarded for his efforts over the season with a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year, along with two of his teammates, Sean McConville and Billy Kee.[30] At the end of the season the club exercised a contractual option to retain him.[31]

In July 2019, Hughes signed a new one-year contract extension with the club having the option for a second year to keep him until the end of the 2020–21 season.[32]

On 27 March 2021, Hughes was forced off through injury in the 31' minute of what turned out to be his final appearance in an Accrington shirt, a 7–0 defeat to Peterborough United.[33] Until this injury, Hughes had played every minute of the season.[34] Hughes was offered a new contract with the club at the end of the 2020–21 season.[35]

Bristol Rovers[]

On 26 May 2021, Hughes signed a one-year deal with League Two side Bristol Rovers, the side that had narrowly beaten Accrington to promotion five years previously. He opted against signing the contract extension.[36] Hughes made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2021–22 season, giving away a 96th minute penalty for a foul on Oliver Hawkins that was converted by Danny Johnson to give Mansfield Town a 2–1 victory.[37] Hughes picked up an Achilles injury in September 2021 in training that saw him out of action for the remainder of his time with the club,[38] taking up a coaching role at times.[39]

Coaching Career[]

Plymouth Argyle[]

On 6 January 2022, Hughes joined the backroom staff of former Everton teammate Steven Schumacher by in the role of First Team Coach at Plymouth Argyle.[39][40]

Career statistics[]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stockport County 2005–06 League Two 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Everton 2006–07 Premier League 1 0 0 0 2 0 — 3 0
Northampton Town 2006–07 League One 17 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 2
2007–08 35 1 4 0 2 0 1[a] 0 42 1
2008–09 41 1 2 0 3 0 1[a] 0 47 1
Total 93 4 6 0 5 0 2 0 106 4
Walsall 2009–10 League One 26 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 28 1
North Queensland Fury 2010–11 A-League 30 4 — — — 30 4
Bury 2011–12 League One 25 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 27 0
2012–13 27 0 3 0 1 1 2[a] 0 33 1
Total 52 0 4 0 2 1 2 0 60 1
Accrington Stanley 2012–13 League Two 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Morecambe 2013–14 League Two 44 5 0 0 2 0 1[a] 0 47 5
2014–15 34 2 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 36 2
Total 78 7 0 0 3 0 2 0 83 7
Stevenage 2016–17[41] League Two 20 1 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 22 0
Accrington Stanley 2015–16 League Two 15 1 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 17 1
2016–17[41] League Two 36 2 4 0 3 0 2[a] 0 45 2
2017–18[42] League Two 46 4 2 0 2 0 1[a] 0 51 4
2018–19[43] League One 46 1 4 0 1 0 1[a] 0 52 1
2019–20[44] League One 31 1 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 35 1
2020–21[45] League One 36 0 1 0 1 0 3[a] 0 41 0
Total 210 9 12 0 8 0 11 0 241 9
Bristol Rovers 2021–22[46] League Two 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Career total 524 26 25 0 20 1 18 0 587 27
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL League Two play-offs

Honours[]

Accrington Stanley

Individual

References[]

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Accrington Stanley" (PDF). English Football League. p. 1. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. ^ "Mark Hughes profile". The Everton Way. Everton FC. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Hatters secure Hughes loan deal". BBC Sport. 14 February 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  5. ^ Sinnott, John (3 December 2006). "Everton 2–0 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Wycombe 2 – 3 Walsall". BBC Sport. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Walsall release seven including Dwayne Mattis". BBC Sport. 10 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Edds, Hughes signings positive for North Queensland Fury". Tribal Football. 1 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Mark Hughes quits Walsall for Australia". BBC Sport. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  10. ^ a b "Sydney FC chasing North Queensland Fury import Mark Hughes for 2011–2012 A-League season". Fox Sports. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Hughes scoops Fury awards". The World Game. SBS. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Hughes Shows Faith in Fury". FourFourTwo. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Abbas back on radar: Jets reopen talks with discarded Iraqi midfielder". Newcastle Herald. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  14. ^ "Mark Hughes signs..." Bury FC. 21 June 2011.
  15. ^ Nelson, Craig (11 August 2012). "Bury 1 Middlesbrough 2". Bury Times. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  16. ^ "Rachubka, Hunt, Aldred & Hughes join Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  17. ^ "Bury dressing room galvanised by gallows humour – Hughes". Bury Times. Newsquest. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Clearout at stricken Shakers". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  19. ^ "Mark Hughes: Morecambe name new signing as captain". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Shrimps Release Eight - News - Morecambe".
  21. ^ "Stevenage Agree to Sign Mark Hughes".
  22. ^ "Newport 2–2 Stevenage". BBC. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  23. ^ "Mark Hughes: Accrington sign former Stevenage defender". BBC Sport. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 0–1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Accrington Stanley 0–0 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  26. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Accrington Stanley 2–2 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Accrington Stanley 2–0 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Accrington Stanley 1–0 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  30. ^ "PFA League Two Team of the Year: Five Luton Town players named in 2017-18 side". BBC Sport. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Accrington Stanley: Scott Brown and Aaron Chapman offered new deals". BBC Sport. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Mark's here to stay". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Peterborough United 7–0 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Getting to Know - Mark Hughes". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 May 2021.
  35. ^ "UPDATE: Retained List". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  36. ^ "First Summer Signings Announced!". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 26 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Mansfield Town 2–1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  38. ^ Frost, Sam (21 September 2021). "Mark Hughes' injury prompts Bristol Rovers to investigate training pitches at The Quarters". Bristol Post. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  39. ^ a b "Mark Hughes Leaves Rovers". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Hughes becomes a Green". www.pafc.co.uk. 6 January 2022.
  41. ^ a b "Games played by Mark Hughes in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Games played by Mark Hughes in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Games played by Mark Hughes in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  44. ^ "Games played by Mark Hughes in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  45. ^ "Games played by Mark Hughes in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  46. ^ "Games played by Mark Hughes in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  47. ^ "PFA League Two Team of the Year: Five Luton Town players named in 2017–18 side". BBC Sport. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.

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