Eric Hughes (rugby, born 1950)
Eric Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1950 Widnes, England |
| Occupation(s) | Rugby union and rugby league footballer, rugby league coach, English language teacher, pub landlord |
| Years active | 1970s–1997 (rugby) |
| Known for | Playing for Widnes, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, St Helens, Rochdale Hornets; coaching Widnes, Rochdale Hornets, St Helens, Leigh, Wigan Warriors; representing England and Great Britain in rugby league |
Eric Hughes (born 17 October 1950) is a former English athlete who competed in both rugby union and professional rugby league, later transitioning into coaching. His rugby union career included representing England at the Under-15 level, while in rugby league, he played internationally for Great Britain and England. At the club level, Hughes took the field for Widnes, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, St Helens, and Rochdale Hornets, fulfilling roles as a winger, centre, or stand-off. Following his playing days, he assumed coaching responsibilities at Widnes, Rochdale Hornets, St Helens, Leigh, and Wigan Warriors. A notable aspect of his tenure at Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs was playing alongside the three Australian Hughes brothers, with whom he shared no familial ties.
Background
Hughes was born in Widnes and received his education at Wade Deacon Grammar School. Professionally, he served as an English language teacher at Bankfield School in Widnes. Additionally, he held the position of landlord at The Lion pub located in Moulton, Cheshire. His elder sibling, Arthur Hughes, was also a rugby league player who secured a Challenge Cup final victory with Widnes in 1964.
International honours
During his international career, Hughes was capped for England in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup and participated in matches from 1977 to 1979 against opponents including Wales, France, New Zealand, and Australia. He also represented Great Britain between 1978 and 1982 in fixtures facing Australia and New Zealand.
Challenge Cup Final appearances
Hughes played pivotal roles in several Challenge Cup Finals while with Widnes. He contributed to triumphs over Warrington (1975), Wakefield Trinity (1979), Hull Kingston Rovers (1981), and Wigan (1984). Conversely, he experienced defeats against St. Helens (1976), Leeds (1977), and Hull F.C. (1982), including a replay match. These finals predominantly took place at Wembley Stadium before audiences exceeding 80,000 spectators.
County Cup Final appearances
Operating as , Hughes scored a drop goal during Widnes' narrow 6–2 victory over Salford in the 1974 Lancashire Cup Final held at Central Park, Wigan, on 2 November 1974. He also played at in Widnes' 16–7 win against Salford in the 1975 Lancashire Cup Final at the same venue on 4 October 1975. Further appearances include playing in the 15–13 success over Workington Town during the 1978 Lancashire Cup Final on 7 October 1978 at Central Park. Hughes featured at when Widnes secured an 11–0 victory against Workington Town in the 1979 Lancashire Cup Final staged at The Willows, Salford on 8 December 1979. He was positioned at during the 3–8 loss to Leigh in the 1981 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park on 26 September 1981 and again played at in the 8–12 defeat by Barrow during the 1983 Lancashire Cup Final held on 1 October 1983 at Central Park.
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances
Hughes appeared at in Widnes' 7–15 loss to Bramley during the 1973 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final of the 1973–74 season, contested at Naughton Park, Widnes, on 18 December 1973. He also took part at in the side's 13–7 win over St Helens in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final hosted at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on 12 December 1978.
Player's No.6 Trophy/John Player/John Player Special Trophy Final Appearances
Hughes took part in Widnes' close 2–3 defeat against Bradford Northern during the 1974–75 Player's No.6 Trophy Final held at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on 25 January 1975. He contributed to the 19–13 triumph over Hull F.C. in the 1975–76 Player's No.6 Trophy Final at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, on 24 January 1976. Hughes also featured in the 4–9 loss to Warrington during the 1977–78 Players No.6 Trophy Final at Knowsley Road on 28 January 1978, and participated in Widnes' 16–4 win against Warrington in the 1978–79 John Player Trophy Final at Knowsley Road on 28 April 1979. He played in the goalless 0–6 defeat to Bradford Northern in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy Final at Headingley on 5 January 1980, as well as featuring in the 10–18 loss to Leeds during the 1983–84 John Player Special Trophy Final at Central Park on 14 January 1984.
Coaching Career
Hughes served as coach of Widnes from 1984 until his resignation in 1985, prompted by the unforeseen transfer of Joe Lydon to Wigan. This transfer was influenced by Widnes' financial difficulties and orchestrated by Alex Murphy. Subsequently, Hughes briefly resumed his playing career with St. Helens, participating in thirteen games—winning the initial twelve—and scored a try during a 22-38 defeat to Leeds in the first round of the 1985–86 Rugby League Premiership at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on 27 April 1986. He went on to coach Rochdale Hornets throughout the 1987–88 season. Between January 1994 and January 1996, Hughes was head coach at St. Helens, before moving into a Football Manager role following Shaun McRae’s appointment as head coach. Hughes held the head coaching position at Leigh until early 1997, when Keith Latham took over, and then replaced Graeme West as coach of Wigan Warriors in February 1997.