Andy Hughes

Andy Hughes is the forgotten man at The Valley, that is unless you follow him on Twitter where he is universely loved by his team mates and others.

Hughes last appearance for the Addicks was in the Fulham 3rd Round FA Cup game last season and his last full game was in the win at Brentford in November 2011. He has made 20 appearances overall.

The Yorkshireman has since struggled with a complicated achilles injury which has required numerous operations but on his recent comeback trail he has featured in some U21 Development League games including yesterday’s 3-0 win over Bristol City.

I am told his enthusiam for the game and the club has never waned though and he is a positive influence on the training ground and amongst the Academy players and still follows the 1st team games home and away.

When Hughes was signed by CP he was a recognised right-back and was a veteran of 4 promotions. After CP gave Hughes the No.2 shirt prior to last season there was some conjecture as to what this might mean for Chris Solly, although that question was soon put to bed. Where Hughes did impress though was in midfield where his know-how and hard work was acknowledged by Addicks.

If it wasn’t for his long-term injury then he may well have been valuable to us this season playing a role that Dervite has often taken or as the pivot point in a midfield five.

With this season’s games disappearing at a rate of knots, and Hughes’ contract expring in the summer, we may never see him in a Charlton shirt again. However it wouldn’t surprise this Addick if he continued in the game in a coaching or managerial capacity.