Pryce Griffiths once predicted that Bryan Hughes would be Wrexham's first million-pound man. He was right. 'Yozzer' has made it - and made it big. He now lives in a footballer's house on a footballer's estate in upmarket Solihull. He's contented - but also hugely ambitious. He's got a fetish for shoes and he loves blue designer shirts. In July Matthew Kelly and Peter Davies went to meet him at his luxurious Birmingham home...

Bryan Hughes on Birmingham City 1997-98...

On the transfer...

"I had an idea about the transfer before the Chesterfield Cup game. I was always going to stay until we got knocked out. When the transfer happened everything was so quick. We played Chesterfield on the Sunday and on the Monday morning I had a phone call off Brian Flynn. He'd had a phone call from Birmingham - but he didn't know that I knew that something was brewing.

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He asked me whether I'd like to meet Trevor Francis. We sorted out things and then I travelled down. I think a few other clubs were interested, but I wasn't told a lot. Birmingham were an ideal club to join. As an Evertonian I was particularly attracted by the fact that Gary Ablett, Barry Horne and Anders Limpar - all old boys - were there. There was also Steve Bruce. It was a good step up - although ironically I took Barry Horne's place, rather

than playing with him. I watched all these players growing up. I knew what Trevor Francis wanted - he wanted to pitch me into the first team straight away. The £1million price tag didn't bother me - everyone's got their value. I suppose the transfer came about because Wrexham had had a good season and things were going particularly well for me. I was disappointed after the Chesterfield game, but I wanted to move and in a way the move picked me up after the Chesterfield game. I really did have an ambition to move. I think Birmingham spotted me before the match at St.Andrews - I think they were at Peterborough when I scored in the 1-0 league victory."

On his first season with Birmingham...

"I was very satisfied with my first season at St Andrews. We started off in the top three, but we then had a bad spell during which we won only one out of 14 games. Then we went unbeaten, losing only one in 25. We just missed out on the play-offs on goal difference. We needed to win the last game, but could only draw it. I played 34 games and was a regular in the side. I was injured a few times - hamstring, groin and I had a particularly bad ankle twist against Wolves. I got eight goals which was a fairly good ratio, but I did really want double figures! I think I got one header, three from outside the box and a few individual efforts. The standard of football is much higher at Birmingham. It was good to not get beat for such a long time last season."

On life at Birmingham...

"I think as the season went on the fans took to me more. I won the Young Player of the Year Award and I think I'm still young and still learning. Birmingham City are a big club and they want to be up there. Everyone was really disappointed last season."

On the City side...

There's been a lot of moving around recently - lots of ins and outs and lots of new lads. Paul Furlong's one of my favourite players - he's good to feed the ball into, he keeps the ball well and he scores goals.

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I liked Steve Bruce's attitude and his talking and I'm disappointed that he left. I suppose though that it was a matter of time before he went and Sheffield United is a big job. A lot of the time I've been playing on the left wing, but in midfield I've generally been teamed up with Chris Marsden, Martin O'Connor and Jon McCarthy. At first the lads used to wind me up about the goal I scored for Wrexham against Birmingham in the Cup!"

On Trevor Francis...

"He's a good manager and he has his own ways. I get on with him and he's looked after me. He had a bit of a rough patch last season but through it all he stuck by his team. We were playing well but just couldn't score - eventually we beat Stoke 7-0 away and I got two. He gets respect off people and the players especially. He and Bob Hatton have really looked after me since I came here - Trevor looks after me as if I was his son."

On his 'resignation' last year

"It was all about the way his family and friends were

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being treated. He's got plenty of money and he doesn't need this job - he's doing it for the love of Birmingham City. He just said he'd had enough - he just didn't need all the hassle. I think he felt humiliated. I was glad when he came back."

On Karen Brady...

"We don't see her much. She gets involved and she does a good job. She's really put Birmingham on the map. Before she came on the scene Birmingham were going under - now they're massive. Her husband, Paul Peschisolido, is with Fulham so he's based in London for most of the time. The Gold brothers and David Sullivan have also done well and they've put lots of money into the club. The ground and the fans show there's real Premiership ambition here. There'll be two new sides to the ground soon and an overall capacity of 46,000. Big crowds make a big difference to me as a player. I wanted the move to happen. There's 20,000 people at most matches - a big atmosphere and a big experience. At Wrexham we played at Man United and it's like that most of the time. I feel I play better against better opponents and in front of bigger crowds."

On Birmingham the city...

"It's a massive place - the centre of town is like a different world. It's worked out well. I live on the outskirts - its 20 minutes to the ground and 15 minutes to the training ground. We rented at first, but then bought our own house here in Solihull. Solihull's got a good reputation and we moved in six months ago. I like both Birmingham and Solihull. Property's dear but lots of footballers live round here: David Busst, Dele Adebola, Paul Williams and also Trevor and Karen Brady. Gary Ablett used to - but he's moved back to Southport. The local is called Chequers: I've never been in but I know the landlord is a Blues fan and there are loads of Birmingham fans in there."

On Birmingham night life...

"The nightlife's OK but not as good as Liverpool. In Liverpool the pubs shut at 2 and the clubs stay open till 4; here the pubs shut at 11 and the clubs stay open till 2. You meet Blues fans while you're out and it's a good crack. Some stick with you all night! It's a very football city - as passionate as Liverpool, if not worse. Very aggressive. The West Midlands is full of teams."

On the players at St Andrews...

"They're all good mates - a good group of lads. Simon Charlton is a really good lad. We've just been to HMS

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Drake Plymouth for a pre-season trip. We stayed in a nice hotel. It was all about getting fit - but maybe last year was more difficult. With my current injury I've not done much but it was enjoyable to get away."

On being injured...

"I got injured this summer before we travelled down to Plymouth. Just watching is very depressing. All I can do is just work in the gym. The thing is if you don't watch it you can fall behind in pre-season."

In Red Passion 2 Bryan Hughes talks about his time at Wrexham.