Michael Hughes (footballer)
Michael Eamon Hughes is a Northern Irish former footballer who currently is a majority shareholder and co-owner of NIFL Premiership side Carrick Rangers.
Club career
Hughes' career began with Carrick Rangers, before moving to Manchester City as a trainee. In August 1992, he moved to RC Strasbourg for a fee of £450,000. During his four years at Strasbourg, Hughes spent two years on loan to West Ham United. It was during the first of these two loan spells that Hughes would have a say in the outcome of the 1994–95 FA Premier League season. West Ham were playing at home to Manchester United on the last day of the season. United's rivals for the title were Blackburn Rovers, who lost against Liverpool on the same day. That meant that had United beaten West Ham, they would win the league. However Hughes put West Ham ahead in the first half and despite a second half equaliser from Brian McClair, West Ham held out to hand the title to Blackburn.West Ham United
In July 1996, Hughes made the move to West Ham permanent. In the process, he became the first British player to change clubs for free on a Bosman ruling. The following season Joe Kinnear took Hughes to Wimbledon in a £1.6 million deal.Wimbledon
Hughes became embroiled in a contract dispute between Birmingham City and Wimbledon in 2002. In March 2002, Hughes played three matches for Birmingham on loan, but was injured before the club won promotion to the Premier League and a permanent switch fell through. Wimbledon then refused to take him back. The ensuing dispute over who held his registration continued for over a year and Hughes' career had to be put on hold. In October 2003, Hughes signed for Crystal Palace and an out-of-court settlement was reached with Birmingham.Crystal Palace
At Palace, he quickly became a fans' favourite, and, for the 2004–05 season, Hughes was appointed team captain.Following relegation, he was replaced in the role by defender Fitz Hall. However, after a run of good form, Hughes was re-appointed team captain, in January 2006. He later lost the captaincy again, this time to Carl Fletcher. He was released by Palace in May 2007.
Peter Taylor commented on Hughes' Palace future claiming that: "Michael Hughes has basically been released, but his is slightly different because I'm really saying that something could also develop later on."
Coventry City
On 6 July 2007, Hughes joined his former manager Iain Dowie at Coventry City, signing a one-year contract.On 22 May 2008, Michael Hughes was released by Coventry City following the expiry of his contract, having made 18 first team appearances during the 2007–08 season. Hughes fell out of favour with new Coventry manager Chris Coleman who eventually decided not to renew his contract.
St Neots Town
In March 2009, Michael joined St Neots Town as player-coach, working alongside former international teammate Steve Lomas.International career
Hughes won 71 international caps with the Northern Ireland national team, scoring five times.International goals
Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 2 June 1992 | Bremen, Germany | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly match | |
| 2 | 3 September 1995 | Porto, Portugal | 1–1 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying | |
| 3 | 20 August 1997 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 1–0 | 1–3 | 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 4 | 28 March 2000 | Valletta, Malta | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly match | |
| 5 | 5 September 2001 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |