Charles J. Hughes

Charles James Hughes, J.P. (16 August 1853 – 31 July 1916) was an English footballer, referee, and co-founder of Northwich Victoria Football Club. He was a pioneer of the early English game, being included in the publication 'Association Football and the Men who made it'.

Early life Hughes was born at 7 Applemarket Street in Northwich, Cheshire, to James Charles Hughes, a plasterer and roof tiler, and Hannah, née Pemberton, a milliner. He was also a governor for Witton Grammar School.

He appeared in Northwich Victoria's first ever recorded Association Football game in 1874 against Stedman College in the village of Comberbach, Cheshire. His playing career unfortunately ended when his ankle was broken by an opposition player on 15 November 1877, during a football match at the Drill Field, Northwich, against Hanley Rangers . He was a joint-founder of the Cheshire Football Association, and from its foundation in 1878 until 1908, he served as their honourable secretary. On his retirement from the Cheshire Football Association in 1908, his tenure of 30 years as the honourable secretary was a World record, and his service was commended by figures from across the country, including those representing the Football Association.

Aside from football, he was a figurehead in several other sport clubs in Northwich; cricket, rowing and athletics. 1893 and 1894 FA Cup finals, as well as various Football League and local matches. He also acted as linesman for International matches; in 1892 he was linesman for a match between England and Scotland at Ibrox. In 1901, Hughes served as the FA's vice president. In 1907 and 1908, he was often in charge of selecting the squad for the England national football team for international matches, making him the de facto manager.

Testament to his influence in Association Football, the former secretary of Northwich Victoria, the late Ken Edwards, who wrote the club's history in the book 'A Team for All Seasons', said that "few men have done more for the association game than Mr. C.J. Hughes."

Following his death on 31 July 1916, he was buried at St. Wilfrid's Church in the nearby village of Davenham.