Midfield Battler Hughesy on his role at the club, his respect for the committee and why he doesn’t need to score until next season!

Martin Hughes was one of five players who left Maryhill to join Arthurlie in the summer as the Lochburn club collapsed with the loss of manager Ronnie Lowrie.  A good thing it was too for, alongside McCulloch, Williams, Wardle and Andrew, Hughsey has formed the backbone of our title challenging team.  Things are going well for the midfielder battler ‘so far so good’ he tells me, ‘it was fairly easy [to settle in] as four of my Maryhill team mates were present and I know a few of the boys from playing against them’. 

‘Most importantly, I feel on the whole the team has been performing well.  For a large group of players to bond so quickly is great and the real reason is the character of the boys in the dressing room.  Like all teams am sure we will have our bad patch but I also think there is a lot more to come’.

Rumours surfaced in the last couple of weeks regarding an approach to Martin by his former manager Rab Sneddon, I asked Martin if there was any truth in this, and indeed who else was chasing his signature over the summer, his answer is indicative of the belief in success that is being fostered at Arthurlie this season. ‘I spoke to Pollok and was offered terms. If am honest I was ready to sign for them but after a lengthy chat with Gary Faulds I was convinced my future was with Arthurlie’. He also revealed that Kilwinning Rangers were in the hunt but the thought of dropping down a division to ply his trade put him off the move that would have made the most financial sense, plus of course ‘ I don’t fancy playing for any rangers team!’

Upon arrival at Dunterlie, former ‘Hill skipper Hughes was immediately made second in charge to the experienced Roland Fabiani, but what does this role entail for Martin and did it come as a surprise to him?  ‘When I spoke to the manager in the summer he discussed that he would like me to take this role, I didn’t expect it as I was only new to the club but had captained Maryhill and always enjoyed it.  If I ever do become captain, I will not have a better role model than Fabi, he is different class’.  He elaborates to tell me that Fabi doesn’t really offer any advice in the role as ‘we are both experienced guys and just get on with it…if I ever needed his advice I would dial 999!’   On the subject of matchdays and his role in the dressing room Martin reveals how Joe Andrew would be lost without him ‘Fabi and the Gaffer carry most of the responsibility, I just mainly moan at the boys.  Joe Andrew calls me ‘Victor Meldrew’ but I look after him and don’t let the big boys kick him’

A couple of weeks back those at Dunterlie for that remarkable match with Vale of Clyde were treated to an even rarer site than the stunning second half comeback by the ‘Lie, for the final goal of the match was netted by one Martin Hughes.  Not known for his scoring prowess (not for lack of trying) Hughesy calmly slotted the ball into the net and he had this to say about his first strike in Arthurlie colours ‘Great!  I don’t need to worry about scoring [again] until next season’.  A touch concerning perhaps, but I’m sure he’s not actually giving up on adding to his tally this year! He elaborated slightly, discussing the Cumnock match in which he was seen to be getting further forward and getting shots in from the edge of the box.  ‘It’s not been discussed, but to be honest its an aspect in my game I would like to improve, I might have been having more shots but they were all sh**e!  I’m more than happy to do the dirty work in the middle of the park and let the talented forward players do the damage.

One aspect of his game which Martin is well known for is his fiery performances in the middle of the park, He’s not one to shirk a tackle, and it has, in the past, led to a couple of ‘confrontations’ with those match officials who don’t understand methods of tackling. Said Hughesy ‘Lol, I love to get stuck in and involved but I wouldn’t say that I’m a dirty, dishonest player'

Thanks for chatting Hughsey!  Here’s to your next strike coming against Pollok.