Latics’ second chance for Hughes

LEE HUGHES: Controversy precedent for Oldham signings

IF Ched Evans does end up signing for Latics, it wouldn’t be the first time the club has courted controversy.

In August 2007, Latics signed Lee Hughes on a two-year contract following his release from prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

When Hughes’ Latics deal was announced, the club asked supporters “not to pass moral judgment”.

His reported salary of £1,800-a-week at Boundary Park was less than a 10th of what he earned at the peak of his career with West Brom.

Hughes, who served half a six-year sentence, lost control of his Mercedes CL55 AMG and went on to the wrong side of the road before colliding with a Renault Scénic in November 2003. A passenger in the Renault, Douglas Graham, was killed and his wife Maureen and the driver, Albert Frisby, severely injured. Hughes and passenger Adrian Smith left the scene but turned themselves in to police 36 hours later.

Hughes denied a charge of causing death by dangerous driving and later pleaded guilty to failing to stop and failing to report an accident. He claimed the brakes on his car had locked but tests showed they were working correctly.

Hughes was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving on August 9, 2004. An appeal was refused.

Hughes made his debut for Oldham in a 4–1 defeat by Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on September 1, 2007.

Hughes picked up a groin injury which kept him off the field but had already scored eight goals - making him the club’s second highest scorer.

In March 2009 it was widely reported that Hughes had been involved in a drunken brawl with Latics manager John Sheridan. Later that month he joined Championship club Blackpool on loan before moving to Notts County, Port Vale and Forest Green Rovers, his current club.