Les Hughson Jr.
Australian rules footballer (1938–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Les Hughson Jr. (1 December 1938 – 4 April 2024)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Les Hughson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Leslie Hughson, Junior | ||
| Born | 1 December 1938 | ||
| Died | 4 April 2024 (aged 85) | ||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1958–1962 | Fitzroy | 28 (1) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1962. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early life and family
Hughson was born on 1 December 1938. His father Les Hughson Sr, who played for a record five VFL clubs including Fitzroy, was at the time coach of Stawell.[2][3] Two uncles also had significant VFL careers, both for Fitzroy.[4] Most famous was Fred Hughson who captain-coached Fitzroy to the 1944 premiership and the other, Mick Hughson, played 95 games for the club.[5]
Career
Hughson, who wore the number eight, had an injury plagued career at Fitzroy. He played mostly as a defender.[6]
Captain of the Fitzroy thirds in 1957, Hughson came into the senior team for the first time in the 1958 VFL season.[7] He was only able to play a total of 28 games in his five-season career, the most nine appearances in 1960, which included a preliminary final.[8]
A serious knee injury sustained in a game against Collingwood at Victoria Park in 1962 meant he had to undergo a cartilage operation.[9] When he returned to training in 1963 he was forced to retire on medical advice.[10] Fitzroy then appointed him as the club's runner.[10]