Since signing for the first time for the club when they were still Leyton Pennant in the 2000-01 season, ‘Jerky’ has made almost 100 appearances, with his best season coming in 2001-2 when he scored 20 times in 26 starts, helping the club to finish 6th in the table. Hughes was also instrumental in helping the club gain their only piece of silverware in recent history. His was voted player of the round after hitting a hatrick in the Essex Senior Cup (Semi) Final in the 3-0 win over Heybridge Swifts.