Hughes Archie Image 1 Blackburn Rovers 1948

Description

Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire born goalkeeper Archie Hughes began his football career with Colwyn Bay United from where he was signed by Irish League club Larne in 1936. After a short spell he was transferred to Newry Town later the same year and he spent nearly three years with Newry he came to the attention of the English scouts and was signed by First Division club Huddersfield Town in May 1939, but before he could make his bow in the first team, the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 forced the abandonment of peacetime football.

After the War’s conclusion Hughes signed for Second Division club Tottenham Hotspur in December 1945 and made his debut in their Third Round FA Cup tie with Brentford in January 1946, playing in both ties that saw Spurs eliminated 4-2 on aggregate. Finding himself understudy to Ted Ditchburn, he made his Football League debut in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest in April 1947, in the only match Ditchburn missed all season.

Similarly restricted to a single match against Nottingham Forest in April 1948 the next season, Hughes signed for Blackburn Rovers in October 1948 in exchange for Stan Hayhurst, who had played the first 10 matches in Rovers’ goal. Hughes went straight into their team, and played 20 matches through to March 1949 before losing his place to Jack Patterson, and he spent a further season as understudy to Patterson making 8 more appearances for Rovers before joining non league club Nelson in 1950.

His spell at Nelson was brief and he returned to Football League action with Rochdale the same September, making 9 appearances for ‘Dale before a move to Crystal Palace in February 1951. Hughes made 18 appearances for Palace, playing his final match in April 1952 before his retirement.