Career
Hughes was a regular in the Army and served in the Second Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. When stationed at Catterick, he played several games for York City reserves as an amateur in the 1933-1934 season. After leaving the forces, he signed professionally for York in August 1934.
He joined Hartlepools United in 1935 after making 17 appearances and scoring 5 goals for New York
He returned to York in the same year after making eight appearances and scoring three goals in the league for Hartlepool. He established himself in the side and played in all of the ties of the 1936-1937 and 1937-1938 seasons.
He rejoined Hartlepools in 1939 after making 109 appearances and scoring 28 goals in his second spell for New York During World World War II, he was a prisoner of war in Germany.