David Hughes (footballer born 1972)
Encyclopedia
David Robert Hughes is a Welsh footballer, who spent six seasons in the Premiership
with Southampton
, playing as a midfielder
.
and, after playing youth football with Weymouth
, joined Southampton in March 1991, initially as a trainee. He signed a professional contract in August 1991, but did not make his first-team debut until 5 February 1994 (in a 2–1 defeat away to Oldham Athletic) shortly after the appointment of Alan Ball
as Saints' manager. He was never a regular member of the first team squad and appeared more often as a substitute than a starter.
In his nine years at The Dell he suffered an incredible catalogue of injuries including broken legs (twice), fractured ribs and back problems which required surgery. When fit, he was an industrious midfielder who could both burst into the box and clear up in defence.
He was a rare goal-scorer, but scored twice in consecutive matches, firstly away to Queens Park Rangers
on 28 December 1994 with an acrobatic scissors-kick, and again at home to Manchester United
three days later with a right-foot shot, both games ending 2–2.
His career at Southampton finally ended after a knee injury picked up in the August 2000 pre-season at Aldershot
. In his six playing seasons at the Saints, Hughes made a total of 64 appearances, scoring three goals.
He also played at Youth level for England
and at Under-21 level for Wales
.
as player/assistant manager. When Hughes joined, Eastleigh were in the Wessex League
but in Hughes' first season they won the title to earn promotion to the Southern League
. After one season in the Southern League, Eastleigh transferred to the Isthmian League
for the 2004-05 season, from where they were promoted to the Conference South
in 2005.
On 9 July 2007, Hughes was promoted to team manager at Eastleigh, following Jason Dodd
's resignation. He relinquished this post following the appointment of Ian Baird
in October 2007, operating instead as the player/assistant manager.
In October 2008, Hughes resigned from his position at Eastleigh, who were in serious financial difficulties. During his time with the Stoneham Lane club he made over 250 appearances, scoring 38 goals.
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, playing as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Southampton
Hughes was born in St AlbansSt Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
and, after playing youth football with Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
, joined Southampton in March 1991, initially as a trainee. He signed a professional contract in August 1991, but did not make his first-team debut until 5 February 1994 (in a 2–1 defeat away to Oldham Athletic) shortly after the appointment of Alan Ball
Alan Ball (footballer)
Alan James Ball, Jr., MBE was a professional English footballer and football club manager.He was the youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup winning team and played for various clubs, scoring more than 180 league goals in a career spanning 22 years...
as Saints' manager. He was never a regular member of the first team squad and appeared more often as a substitute than a starter.
In his nine years at The Dell he suffered an incredible catalogue of injuries including broken legs (twice), fractured ribs and back problems which required surgery. When fit, he was an industrious midfielder who could both burst into the box and clear up in defence.
He was a rare goal-scorer, but scored twice in consecutive matches, firstly away to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on 28 December 1994 with an acrobatic scissors-kick, and again at home to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
three days later with a right-foot shot, both games ending 2–2.
His career at Southampton finally ended after a knee injury picked up in the August 2000 pre-season at Aldershot
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
. In his six playing seasons at the Saints, Hughes made a total of 64 appearances, scoring three goals.
He also played at Youth level for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and at Under-21 level for Wales
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
.
Eastleigh
After leaving professional football, he went into the building trade and in 2002 he joined EastleighEastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
as player/assistant manager. When Hughes joined, Eastleigh were in the Wessex League
Wessex League
The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system...
but in Hughes' first season they won the title to earn promotion to the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
. After one season in the Southern League, Eastleigh transferred to the Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
for the 2004-05 season, from where they were promoted to the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
in 2005.
On 9 July 2007, Hughes was promoted to team manager at Eastleigh, following Jason Dodd
Jason Dodd
Jason Robert Dodd is an English former footballer and manager, who spent most of his playing career with Southampton, where he was briefly First-Team Coach...
's resignation. He relinquished this post following the appointment of Ian Baird
Ian Baird
Ian Baird is an ex-professional footballer whose most notable spell was as a player for Leeds United. He had two spells at the club with his first spell having a season as captain and his second spell including a player of the year award and just after he left, he got a second division...
in October 2007, operating instead as the player/assistant manager.
In October 2008, Hughes resigned from his position at Eastleigh, who were in serious financial difficulties. During his time with the Stoneham Lane club he made over 250 appearances, scoring 38 goals.