Midway through the 2003–04 season he was loaned out to Oldham Athletic where he impressed sufficiently to be signed permanently for a nominal fee.
He played a little over one season at Oldham before new boss John Sheridan decided he was surplus to requirements and terminated his contract.
Hughes struggled to establish himself in a disappointing league campaign for Stevenage and was once again released, with another former Spurs youngster, Stuart Lewis signing for the club.
[13] A poor start to the 2023–24 season where his side picked up just eight points from ten matches spelled the end of his managerial tenure, departing the club on 25 September 2023.
[14] Hughes was picked for the Northern Ireland squad, which toured America in 2006, making two full caps against Romania and Uruguay.