Hughes was signed by Fosse to aid them in their first-ever season in the Football League. Arriving in August 1894 from Bolton Wanderers, he was to be the club's playmaker but had his stint in Leicestershire cut short due to poor discipline.
The Renfrewshire attacker had shone with Bolton and Middlesbrough, helping the latter to the Northern League championship and the former to the FA Cup Final before moving to Fosse. He made just 18 appearances in total, bagging two league goals, and also featured twice in the FA Cup.
His time as a Fox came to an end due to breaches of discipline - the club committee was banned not just once but twice and was moved on to pastures new at the end of that season. A spell at Glossop North End then followed, and where he ended his playing career.