CJ Hughes is one of Northwich’s most famous sporting sons.
Hughes was born at 7 Applemarket Street on 16 August 1853. Applemarket Street is still there,
next to the Indoor Market, however, it is hard to imagine the row of terraced houses that he
was born into. His father was James Charles Hughes, a plasterer and roof tiler, and his mother
was Hannah, née Pemberton. He was educated at Witton Grammar School (now Sir John
Deane's College), which was then at Church Road in Witton. The headmasters house is now the
offices of Northwich Town Council. He started a career as an auctioneers' clerk aged 15 and
soon founded his own business as Charles J. Hughes and Son. Soon after this he rose to
prominence in the town as a member of the Northwich and District Urban Council and
honourable auditor for several local infirmaries He was also a governor for Witton Grammar
School.
His involvement with Northwich Cricket Club spanned all of his life. As a young boy he was
known to be a scorer and team sheets from the 1870s and 1880s list him as regular player. His
exact term as an officer of the club is not known, but he is first recorded as cricket secretary at
the AGM in 1884 and stayed until at least 1901. He was also secretary of Northwich Victoria FC
during the same period. For a couple of years both clubs played their home fixtures at the Drill
Field. This was very nomadic time for the cricket club as they played their home fixtures at four
or five different venues and as the club Secretary, CJ Hughes led the rental and purchase
negotiations with the landlords. The 1904 AGM records the 1 st XI captain as H.Hughes, possibly
his son. A very busy man with a strong support of sport, he is also known to have been involved
in Athletics, the formation of Northwich Rowing Club in 1875, Northwich FC (Rugby Rules) in
1876 and Mid Cheshire Golf Club.

However, Charles made his name for his influence on football at a local and national level.
Hughes played a huge role in the development of association football, in his home town,
county, and in England. As well as being the co-founder of Northwich Victoria Football Club, he
was a player, secretary and treasurer. He appeared in Northwich Victoria's first ever recorded
Association Football game in 1874 against Stedman College in Comberbach. His playing career
unfortunately ended when his ankle was broken by an opposition player on 15 November 1877.
He was a joint-founder of the Cheshire Football Association, and from its foundation in 1878
until 1908, he served as the 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.
Hughes was an important member of the FA during their first few decades. He was referee of
the 1891, 1893 and 1894 FA Cup finals. 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.
Following his death on 31 July 1916, he was buried at St. Wilfrid's Church in Davenham.