Mark Hughes (footballer, born 1983)


Mark Anthony Hughes is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cheshunt.

Playing career

Hughes was born in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. He started his career at Tottenham Hotspur, coming through their youth system and breaking into the reserve side. Midway through the 2003–04 season he was loaned out to Oldham Athletic where he impressed sufficiently to be signed permanently for a nominal fee. He played a little over one season at Oldham before new boss John Sheridan decided he was surplus to requirements and terminated his contract. At Oldham he scored his first career goal in a 4-3 win over Bristol City.
From Oldham Athletic he moved into the non-League with Thurrock, but was back in the league a few months later, joining League One side Chesterfield agreed to take him on loan. At Chesterfield he scored on his debut against Gillingham. Three months later, he was on the move again, joining Conference National club Stevenage Borough. Hughes struggled to establish himself in a disappointing league campaign for Stevenage and was once again released, with another former Spurs youngster, Stuart Lewis signing for the club.
Hughes joined Chester City after impressing on trial in July and August 2007. He made his debut for the club on the opening day of 2007–08 against his former club Chesterfield and was a regular starter for City for the next 18 months before moving to Barnet in February 2009.
Hughes scored the goal that kept Barnet in the Football League on the last day of the 2011–12 League Two season, in the 2-1 win at Burton Albion. As a result, Hereford United were relegated to the Football Conference instead.
In August 2012, Hughes signed for Conference South side Eastleigh, making his debut on 29 September 2012.
In July 2013, Hughes signed for Conference South club Chelmsford City and was immediately made club captain. Hughes made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Chelmsford City on 7 November 2015 in a loss to Truro City, after which he expressed his desire to see out his career at the club. However, on 29 June 2016, new manager Rod Stringer confirmed Hughes' departure.
In July 2016, Hughes joined Eastbourne Borough.
On 23 May 2017, Hughes signed for Bishop's Stortford in a player-assistant manager role. He joined Cheshunt for the 2018–19 season.

International career

Hughes was picked for the Northern Ireland squad, which toured America in 2006, making two full caps against Romania and Uruguay.