Charles J. Hughes (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Charles James Hughes, J.P.
(16 August 1853 - 31 July 1916) was an English
footballer and referee
who was a pioneer of the early English game, being included in the publication 'Association Football and the Men who made it'.
, Cheshire
to James Charles Hughes, a plasterer and roof tiler, and Hannah Hughes, a milliner.. He was educated at Witton Grammar School
(now Sir John Deane's College) and became an auctioneers' clerk aged 15, later founding his own business as Charles J. Hughes and Son. Soon after this he rose to prominence in his home town as a member of the Northwich and District Urban Council and honourable auditor for several local infirmaries. He was also a governor for Witton Grammar School.
He appeared in Northwich Victoria's first ever recorded Association Football game in 1874 against Stedman College in the village of Comberbach
, Cheshire. This was also the first Association Football match to be played in Cheshire. His playing career unfortunately ended when his ankle was broken by an opposition player on 15 November 1877, during a football match at the Drill Field
, Northwich, against Hanley Rangers .
In addition to Northwich Victoria, his influence in the early game included refereeing the 1891
, 1893
and 1894
FA Cup
finals. He was a joint-founder of the Cheshire Football Association, and from its foundation in 1878 till 1908, he served as their honourable secretary. He also served as vice-president of the English Football Association in 1901. Aside from football, he was a figurehead in several other sport clubs in Northwich; cricket, rowing and athletics.
Testament to his influence, the former secretary of Northwich Victoria, the late Ken Edwards, who wrote the club's history in the book 'A Team for All Seasons', said that "few men have done more for the association game than Mr. C.J. Hughes."
Following his death on 31st July 1916, he was buried at St. Wilfrid's Church in the nearby village of Davenham
.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(16 August 1853 - 31 July 1916) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer and referee
Referee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
who was a pioneer of the early English game, being included in the publication 'Association Football and the Men who made it'.
Early Life
Hughes was born at 7 Applemarket Street in NorthwichNorthwich
Northwich is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It lies in the heart of the Cheshire Plain, at the confluence of the rivers Weaver and Dane...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
to James Charles Hughes, a plasterer and roof tiler, and Hannah Hughes, a milliner.. He was educated at Witton Grammar School
Sir John Deane's College
Sir John Deane's College is a sixth form college in Northwich, Cheshire, UK. It was formerly Sir John Deane's Grammar School, which was founded in 1557.-History:...
(now Sir John Deane's College) and became an auctioneers' clerk aged 15, later founding his own business as Charles J. Hughes and Son. Soon after this he rose to prominence in his home town as a member of the Northwich and District Urban Council and honourable auditor for several local infirmaries. He was also a governor for Witton Grammar School.
Influential years
Hughes played a huge role in the development of association football, both in his home town, county and in England. As well as being the co-founder of Northwich Victoria Football Club, he was their honourable secretary, treasurer and a player.,He appeared in Northwich Victoria's first ever recorded Association Football game in 1874 against Stedman College in the village of Comberbach
Comberbach
Comberbach is a civil parish and small village in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, located between Northwich and Warrington. The village sports a new Memorial Hall , a Bowling Club, two pubs - the Spinner and Burgamot, and the Drum...
, Cheshire. This was also the first Association Football match to be played in Cheshire. His playing career unfortunately ended when his ankle was broken by an opposition player on 15 November 1877, during a football match at the Drill Field
Drill Field
The Drill Field was a football stadium in Northwich, Cheshire, which was the home ground of Northwich Victoria Football Club between 1875 and 3 May 2002...
, Northwich, against Hanley Rangers .
In addition to Northwich Victoria, his influence in the early game included refereeing the 1891
1891 FA Cup Final
The 1891 FA Cup Final was contested by Blackburn Rovers and Notts County at the Kennington Oval. Blackburn won 3–1, their second consecutive FA Cup Final victory, with goals by Geordie Dewar, Jack Southworth and William Townley. James Oswald scored Notts County's goal.-Teams:*Played 21 March...
, 1893
1893 FA Cup Final
The 1893 FA Cup Final was an association football game contested by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton. Wolves won by a single goal, scored by Harry Allen....
and 1894
1894 FA Cup Final
The 1894 FA Cup Final was contested by Notts County and Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park. Notts County won 4–1, with goals by James Logan and Arthur Watson. Jim Cassidy scored for Bolton...
FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
finals. He was a joint-founder of the Cheshire Football Association, and from its foundation in 1878 till 1908, he served as their honourable secretary. He also served as vice-president of the English Football Association in 1901. Aside from football, he was a figurehead in several other sport clubs in Northwich; cricket, rowing and athletics.
Testament to his influence, the former secretary of Northwich Victoria, the late Ken Edwards, who wrote the club's history in the book 'A Team for All Seasons', said that "few men have done more for the association game than Mr. C.J. Hughes."
Following his death on 31st July 1916, he was buried at St. Wilfrid's Church in the nearby village of Davenham
Davenham
Davenham is a rural village and civil parish approximately south of the town of Northwich, part of the Borough of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire in England. It has a population of 5,655. The village is close to the A556 and A533 roads and both the River Dane and...
.