Overview
- Alex Hughes died suddenly and unexpectedly on June 19, aged 38, a fact the League Managers' Association confirmed in a statement on behalf of his parents Mark and Jill Hughes.
- Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral at St Peter's Church in Prestbury, where Mark Hughes and other family members carried Alex's coffin and tributes from loved ones were read aloud.
- High-profile figures from the game including Sir Alex Ferguson, Mike Phelan, Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs were present, and a delegation from Grimsby Town was led by manager David Artell.
- Grimsby Town, where Alex was player recruitment lead, announced they will dedicate their first game of the season to his memory.
- Alex worked off the pitch in analysis and recruitment after brief spells as a player with Stockport and Wrexham, holding roles at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham and AFC Fylde before joining Grimsby; the family has asked for privacy and no cause of death has been disclosed.