Stephen Hughes (Scottish footballer)
Encyclopedia
Stephen David Hughes is a professional footballer, currently playing for SPL
side Motherwell
. Hughes made his debut for the Scotland first team
in 2009, playing the last 20 minutes as a substitute
against Japan
, in a friendly.
at the age of 16. He went on to make 90 appearances for the Ibrox
club and scored seven goals in the process.
in January 2005 for £100,000 and signed a three-and-a-half year deal. In January 2006, he scored a memorable goal which helped knock Tottenham Hotspur out of the FA Cup
in a cup upset.
, with Hearts
and Motherwell
reportedly offering £50,000 for the player. On 17 August, Hearts had successfully negotiated terms with Hughes. The transfer, however, was delayed, and on 31 August, Hughes joined Motherwell for an undisclosed fee. Hughes played for Motherwell in the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons.
as a free agent on a three year contract. This was confirmed later the same day.
He played his first match for the Canaries in their final pre-season friendly against Wigan on 1 August 2009 playing for 59 minutes before being substituted. He scored his first goal for Norwich in a 2-0 win over Hartlepool on 29 August 2009. Hughes impressed fans with his performances in his first season with the club. However, Hughes sustained an ankle injury, which required an operation on 21 October, which is expected to rule him out for two months. Hughes returned to Norwich after a loan spell at MK Dons to gain fitness after his operation. He left Norwich by mutual consent in August 2011.
until 3 January 2012 after a successful trial.
squad to play Japan
in October 2009. Hughes came on as a second half substitute, replacing Charlie Adam
in the 70th minute.
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
. Hughes made his debut for the Scotland first team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
in 2009, playing the last 20 minutes as a substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
against Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
, in a friendly.
Rangers
Hughes started his career with Scottish Premier League club RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
at the age of 16. He went on to make 90 appearances for the Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
club and scored seven goals in the process.
Leicester City
Hughes joined Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in January 2005 for £100,000 and signed a three-and-a-half year deal. In January 2006, he scored a memorable goal which helped knock Tottenham Hotspur out of the 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...
in a cup upset.
Motherwell
On 4 June 2007, Hughes was placed on the transfer list by then Leicester manager Martin AllenMartin Allen
Martin James Allen is a former football player and current manager of Notts County. He played more than 100 games for each Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United before finishing his playing career with Portsmouth and Southend United. Five years later, he took his first job in management, at...
, with Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
and Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
reportedly offering £50,000 for the player. On 17 August, Hearts had successfully negotiated terms with Hughes. The transfer, however, was delayed, and on 31 August, Hughes joined Motherwell for an undisclosed fee. Hughes played for Motherwell in the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons.
Norwich City
Scottish newspapers on 22 July 2009 suggested that Hughes had joined Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
as a free agent on a three year contract. This was confirmed later the same day.
He played his first match for the Canaries in their final pre-season friendly against Wigan on 1 August 2009 playing for 59 minutes before being substituted. He scored his first goal for Norwich in a 2-0 win over Hartlepool on 29 August 2009. Hughes impressed fans with his performances in his first season with the club. However, Hughes sustained an ankle injury, which required an operation on 21 October, which is expected to rule him out for two months. Hughes returned to Norwich after a loan spell at MK Dons to gain fitness after his operation. He left Norwich by mutual consent in August 2011.
Return to Motherwell
After leaving Norwich, Hughes became a free agent, but failed to find a club in the first few months. On 16 November 2011, Hughes re-joined MotherwellMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
until 3 January 2012 after a successful trial.
International career
Hughes was called up to the ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
squad to play Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
in October 2009. Hughes came on as a second half substitute, replacing Charlie Adam
Charlie Adam
Charles Graham "Charlie" Adam is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liverpool and the Scotland national football team....
in the 70th minute.
External links
- Stephen Hughes profile at Motherwell FC official website