David Hughes (footballer, born 1978)

Robert David Hughes (born 1 February 1978) is a Welsh former footballer who played as a defender. He is currently the Head of Academy Player Development at Southampton.

David Hughes
Personal information
Full name Robert David Hughes
Date of birth (1978-02-01) 1 February 1978
Place of birth Wrexham, Wales
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
1994–1996 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1999 Aston Villa 07 (0)
1998 → Carlisle United (loan) 01 (0)
1999–2001 Shrewsbury Town 46 (3)
2001–2003 Cardiff City 14 (0)
2005 Port Talbot Town 01 (0)
National team
1996–2000 Wales U21 13 (?)
1996–1999 Wales B 2 (0)
Teams managed
2003–2004 Barry Town
2004 Barry Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Born in Wrexham, Hughes began his career at Aston Villa, where he played seven times during the 1996–97 season as a replacement for the injured Steve Staunton. He suffered with minor injuries over the next few years and made just one professional appearance in the following two years, playing in a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on 28 March 1998 while on loan to League One side Carlisle United.

Finding his chances at Villa Park limited on his return he joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer, making his debut in a 4-1 defeat to Exeter City. He spent two years as a regular first-team choice and, in February 2001, he signed for Cardiff City for a fee of £450,000, £225,000 of which was given to Aston Villa due to a sell on clause,[1] and went straight into the Bluebirds side but injuries struck again and after failing to regain his place in the side he was released in 2003 and subsequently retired.[2]

Coaching career

Hughes was appointed the manager of Barry Town in 2003.[3] After a short spell in charge he moved into an assistant manager role alongside Colin Addison who took over as manager in February 2004. However Addison left the club after just six months in charge and Hughes was re-instated as manager for a short time before he resigned in December 2004, along with the majority of the first-team squad, due to ongoing financial problems at the club.[4]

In 2005, Hughes took a coaching role at Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town. He later made one appearance as a substitute for the side during the 2005–06 season.

Hughes later joined English League Two club Shrewsbury Town, spending two years as their head of youth development. He joined Championship side Watford as youth team coach in September 2011.[5] He left the club in August 2014 to take up a position as Assistant Intermediate Team Manager for the Wales Under-21-Under-17 sides.[6][7]

In December 2016, Hughes returned to Aston Villa as Under-18 team manager.[8]

In July 2019, Hughes joined Southampton to become their first Head of Academy Player Development.[9]

Career statistics
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Aston Villa 1996-97 7000000070
1997-98 0000000000
1998-99 0000000000
Subtotal 7000000070
Carlisle United (loan) 1997-98 1000000010
Shrewsbury Town 1999-00 221300010261
2000-01 242101010272
Subtotal 463401020533
Cardiff City 2000-01 120000000120
2001-02 2000104070
2002-03 0000000000
Subtotal 140001040190
Port Talbot Town 2005-06 1000000010
Total 67 3 4 0 2 0 6 0 81 3
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References
  1. "Cardiff clinch Hughes deal". BBC Sport. 9 February 2001. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  2. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 94. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
  3. "Hughes takes Barry post". BBC Sport. 29 August 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  4. "Barry Town profiles and history" (PDF). welshleague.org.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  5. Frank Smith (22 September 2011). "Watford confirm new youth team coach". Watford Observer. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  6. Frank Smith (6 August 2014). "David Hughes set to leave Watford and join the Welsh FA on a full-time basis". Watford Observer. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  7. "DAVID HUGHES JOINS WALES IN ASSISTANT MANAGER ROLE". FAW. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  8. "Aston Villa old boy lands a new role at Bodymoor Heath". birminghammail.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  9. "Southampton look set to fill key position at St Mary's". southampton.vitalfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
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