Unveiling the Life and Career of a Local Football Hero
Introduction
Football is game that has great power among millions of people across the world. One such individual who has dedicated his life to the beautiful game is Colin Hughes. Born in April 1982 in Caernarfon, Wales to is parents Hywel Hughes (Father) & Diane Hughes (Mother), Colin's passion for football ignited at a young age and has propelled him through an illustrious playing and coaching career. In this article, we will delve into the personal life, playing career, coaching endeavors, and his new venture at Segontium Rovers Juniors F.C. Join us as we explore the impressive journey of this local lad who has left a memorable mark on the footballing community in Caernarfon.
Early Years and Passion for Football
Colin Hughes grew up in Dinoriwc Street, Caernarfon, where his love for football blossomed. From a tender age, he was immersed in the sport, spending countless hours playing, watching, and reading about football, which still remains the same to this day. His grandparents' back garden, fondly referred to as 'mini Wembley,' became a sacred ground for young Colin and his older brother Kevin who himself is a very tidy player with quick feet and a smart footballing brain, you can easily see the two brothers are talented and learned from each other.
When Colin wasn't honing his skills there, he could be found playing football at the 'Feed my Lambs-playground' or on the grass in 'Roman Fort' with his friends. Football was more than just a hobby – it was a way of life, which was evident at a early age.
A Football-Filled Family
Football ran deep in the Hughes family. Saturdays were synonymous with football for the Hughes household. It all began with a morning game, followed by cheering on their beloved Caernarfon Town FC in the afternoon at The Oval ground. The football frenzy didn't end there; Colin and Kevin would then watch their father Hywel play 5-a-side in the evening. The day concluded with a trip to Post Bach to grab the latest edition of the Liverpool Echo before settling in at home for Match of the Day. The support and involvement of his family have been pivotal throughout Colin & Kevin’s career, with both parents being constant fixtures at their games and actively helping out within the clubs.
Colin and Kevin, their journey together has taken them to four different clubs alongside each other, where they have showcased their incredible talent and skill. It's truly remarkable to see how they have flourished individually, but also as a team. They have played alongside each other, creating magic on the pitch, and even faced off against each other a few times, having notable success with Caernarfon Wanderers. Every match between them was a battle of wits and determination.
But beyond their individual achievements, Colin and Kevin have always strived to make their parents proud. They knew that their success on the field meant more than just personal glory; it was a testament to the love and support they received from their family. Their parents instilled in them core values of hard work, sportsmanship, and humility, which they carried with them throughout their careers. They became role models for younger players, inspiring them to dream big and work tirelessly to achieve their goals.
Love, Marriage, and Family
In Colin Hughes' life, family and football go hand in hand. At the age of 18, he met his now wife Ceri, who has been a pillar of strength and support throughout his career, as the saying goes behind every good man there is an even better woman. They became engaged within nine months and tied the knot ten years later. The couple has been together for an impressive 23 years and have a son named Liam. Ceri's unwavering support has been instrumental, as she has witnessed Colin's journey through the highs and lows of football. Now, she continues to stand by his side as he coaches and mentors their son, creating a legacy that spans generations. The importance of family and football is deeply ingrained in Colin's character, shaping his approach to both aspects of his life. Which is now being passed on their son Liam.
Playing Career: From Grassroots to Prominence
Colin Hughes' playing career showcases his talent, versatility, and leadership on the field. He embarked on his footballing journey with Segontium Rovers u11's under the astute guidance of manager Dafydd Ellis. Despite being only nine years old, Colin played alongside players two years older due to the absence of a team in his age group. His skills did not go unnoticed, and he was selected to represent North Wales at the age of 10, playing as a right-sided midfielder after attending a soccer camp organized by TWS (Tony Williams Soccer).
As his skills developed, Colin joined Cae Glyn 12’s – u15’s which had been managed by Iolo Evans & Keith Lloyd, catching the eye of their managers during a Soccer Skills session. He excelled as a striker, captaining the team and winning the 'Top Scorer' accolade in their first season at the u15 level. Colin's versatility shone through as he transitioned to midfield in the following season, leading the team to the league and cup runners-up positions. These early successes set the stage for an impressive career that would follow.
Continuing his journey, Colin moved on to Caernarfon Youths u17's under the management of Barry Alan Williams. In his first season, he played a role mainly from the bench in securing the league and cup double, also finishing runners – up in two other cups at the time, while the subsequent season saw him primarily deployed as a right-back or in midfield. Colin's dedication, versatility, and ability to adapt to different positions on the field were evident throughout his playing career, making him an asset to any team he represented. In the following season he became more used in the right back position.
The next chapter of Colin's playing career unfolded, where he joined Caernarfon Town reserves under the guidance of then manager Bryan Griffiths in 1999, during his time here Colin went on to add more accolades towards his football career, winning the league and 2 cups in his first season, he embedded his name in history in coming off the bench to score the final goal in a 4-2 win over Nefyn United for the reserve team to claim the famed ‘Treble’ that many teams still aim to achieve today.
Colin, a young and ambitious footballer, made a significant step in his career when he joined the Caernarfon Town 1st team during pre-season. Under the management of Paul Rowlands, Colin had the opportunity to showcase his skills and potential. He participated in a couple of friendly matches, gaining valuable experience and adapting to the demands of playing at a higher level. It was during an away game at Newtown that Colin was given the chance to make his mark in the League of Wales. At just 17 years old, he made a memorable appearance as a substitute, Although it was his only league appearance at that time, it was undoubtedly a stepping stone towards a promising future in the world of football.
Moving onto 2001 Colin went on to join Llanberis Managed by Colin Saynor, they competed in the Welsh Alliance League, he joined Llanberis due to Caernarfon Town reserves being folded at the time to create a younger age group academy.
Initially playing as a No. 10, Colin showcased his goal-scoring prowess before predominantly featuring on the wing, but he found his home position at right back where he cemented his position in the team, until a knee injury had forced him to the sidelines, leading to his return opportunities where limited, Colin had then made the decision to move on a find another club to ply his trade.
During this time Players were allowed to sign for two clubs and Colin had also played for Deinolen (2nd forms) managed by Barry John Thomas, he showcased his commendable attitude to the game dedicating his time to two clubs showing off his impressive engine among many other skills he had in his locker , during his time playing here, he had mostly been played in the right wing position.
Bethel became Colin's footballing home for three seasons with managers John ‘Farmer’ Williams and Andrew ‘Farmer’ Williams in 2004 - 2007. During his time there, he displayed his versatility by playing various positions, primarily as a right-back or sweeper. In the second season, his outstanding performances earned him the prestigious 'Chairman Player of the Year' award. The culmination of his club career arrived when he joined Caernarfon Wanderers in 2007.
Colin's time at Caernarfon Wanderers was marked by consistency, leadership, and an unyielding passion for the game and then was managed by Barry Alan Williams and Mark Jat during the years of 2007-2012. He established himself as a mainstay at right-back, with one notable exception when he excelled in midfield and even found the back of the net. His commitment to the club was unparalleled, as he started an incredible 97 consecutive games, becoming the first player to reach the milestone of 100 appearances for Caernarfon Wanderers. The team achieved remarkable success while he was playing there, winning three league titles (Caernarfon & District League 2, Caernarfon & District League 1 & Welsh Alliance League 2) and securing four promotions. In addition being runners-up in 2 cup finals, Colin was recognized with two ‘Manager's Player of the Year’ awards, further cementing his status as a local football hero.
Coaching: Passing on the Torch
Colin Hughes' passion for football extended beyond the pitch, as he embraced coaching to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation. His coaching journey began at Cae Glyn, where he assisted and coached the u9's team at the age of 15 in 1997. This early exposure to coaching laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Continuing his coaching pursuits in 98/99, Colin coached the Cae Glyn u15's group, a team managed by his father Hywel. This experience further honed his coaching skills and provided him with invaluable insights into player development.
His coaching progressed when he joined Caernarfon Wanderers 1st team, he coached & assisted the youth side during 2008/09 season. While simultaneously playing for the first team, he contributed to their growth and progression showing the dedication to the beautiful game being aged 26-27 at the time, showcasing his exceptional ability to juggle family life, a successful playing career, work life and maintaining his fitness levels while always holding a cool head and not crumbling under the pressures of life itself, a true leader most would say.
Managerial: A Born Leader
In the 2010/11 season, Colin aged 29 took on the responsibility of managing the Caernarfon Wanderers Youths team. Under his guidance, the team reached a cup final, displaying the progress and talent nurtured by Colin's coaching expertise. His commitment to developing young players and fostering a culture of growth and inclusivity left an indelible mark on the youth team, with no fewer 11 homegrown players being promoted to represent the senior team.
The 2011/12 season marked a significant milestone in Colin's coaching journey, as he was appointed the first-team manager for Caernarfon Wanderers. This new role came on the heels of the team's promotion to the Welsh Alliance League 1. Despite facing challenges, such as a hernia issue that forced him to retire from playing, Colin displayed resilience and determination in leading the team.
Notable highlights of his tenure included managing the Wanderers team in front of large crowds at the Oval (Atten. 1800) playing against Caernarfon Town FC themselves where they lost a tight battle 2-0 and at Nantporth (Atten. 1500), where they faced at the time current league champions Bangor City.
Although the team suffered relegation by a narrow margin being just one point, the league proved to be a tough battle ground as Caernarfon Wanderers where the only team in the league that didn’t pay their players, showing that the crop of players played for pure passion and love for the town of Caernarfon and football.
During the season of 2012/2013 Colin remained in as the manager of Wanderers and he went on to re-invent the squad adding youthful players providing the squad with more energy and enthusiasm to the solid group that was there, during a productive pre-season in friendlies and many training sessions, a few off the field problems started to occur, with financial issues being one of them, the financial problems had caused a successful local team to fold, which was devastating news to the people of Caernarfon and to all the players.
Colin received a few offers on the table to manage teams around the area, but decided against going back in for a little time concentrating on other things before making any key decisions on his next venture.
New Venture: Segontium Rovers Juniors F.C.
After the birth of his son Liam in 2015, Colin displayed a strong commitment to his child's development by taking him to a trial training session for the Segontium u5's team in 2019. Impressed by the experience, he decided to volunteer and take charge of the team, along with three other parents who shared the same passion for football and youth development. This decision showcased his dedication to fostering a positive and nurturing environment for young athletes. By stepping up and assuming a leadership role, he demonstrated his willingness to invest time and effort into shaping the future of the next generation of footballers in Caernarfon.
The team has since progressed to the u9's age group, with Colin and the other parents/staff coaching and nurturing the talents of no less than 38 young players.
Colin's commitment to his coaching role is exemplified by his pursuit of coaching licenses and badges, having obtained up to the C License level and still is aiming to complete his footballing education to the highest level. His dedication to ongoing learning and development reflects his desire to provide the best guidance and opportunities for the children under his tutelage. At Segontium Rovers, Colin aims to create an inclusive environment where every player has an equal opportunity to maximize their potential.
Conclusion
Colin Hughes' journey, experience is a monument to his tireless dedication, versatility, and passion for the game. His transition to coaching further solidified his impact on the footballing community in Caernarfon, as he imparted his knowledge and expertise to players of all ages and ability. With his new venture at Segontium Rovers Juniors F.C., Colin continues to shape the future of football, nurturing talent and fostering a sense of community. Through his legacy, Colin Hughes has become a local hero, leaving an enduring impact on the world of football.
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