TEAM OF THE DECADE | Sam Hughes joins Horan in defence!

Sam Hughes is one of our own.

Testament to the importance of our Youth Academy setup, Sam made startling progress through the youth ranks at Chester Football Club, before signing a professional deal under Steve Burr back in 2015.

Originally brought into the first team as a midfielder, it was under Jon McCarthy during the 2016-17 season that Hughes’ move into defence saw people sit up and take notice.

Still a teenager, Sam caught the eye at the back on many occasions – enough to see him voted CFU Player of the Season and Away Travel Player of the Season at the end of that term.

That season, he also Captained the side live on BT Sport against Tranmere Rovers at the age of just 19.

Hughes had made 64 appearances for the first team – scoring eight goals – when 2016 Premier League Champions Leicester City came calling with a club record fee to pay Chester.

Sam Hughes partners George Horan at the heart of defence in your Chester FC Team of the Decade!