During his career, he made over 50 appearances in the Football League during spells with West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City and also played in the NASL for Tulsa Roughnecks.
[1] Having had unsuccessful trials with Everton, Leeds United and Manchester City,[3] Hughes began his career with West Bromwich Albion, joining the club's youth system as an apprentice in 1974.
[5] He signed his first professional contract with West Brom in March 1976 made his debut in May 1977, in the final match of the 1976–77 season, during a 4–0 defeat against Aston Villa.
[4] He instead joined the Tulsa Roughnecks in the North American Soccer League in January 1979 and scored 12 times during his only season at the club.
He later decided to return to football after eight months, playing for Bath for a second time and later had spells with Paulton Rovers and Yeovil Town.