The Scouser at home in Brummyland - Part 2

"The best player they've got - I don't really know how he's still there. Maybe he just doesn't have the ambition - he's so mellow! He won't talk to anyone - he just gets on with his job. Scores some wonder goals"

Bryan Hughes tells Red Passion about that chap called Karl

"In my teens I played a lot of local football. I played for various Sunday League teams - they all had different names. I played in the centre of the city - around Walton and Scotland Road (the rough part!) A few scouts saw me play, from Tottenham and Man City. City actually wanted me to go up to train with them on a Sunday but my Sunday League manager wouldn't let me go! This was unfortunate but I didn't let it get me down. I played at Bromborough at the same time as Dave Brammer, who was just a year older than me. Joe Murray was eventually the contact at Wrexham - his uncle was my Sunday League manager. Eventually I was taken on as a YTS player along with the likes of Steve Morgan, Andy Pritchard, Matty Carroll and Tony Merola. Brian Flynn, Cliff Sear and Mick Buxton all watched me play around this time. It all happened quite quickly - I got digs in Wrexham. I found Wrexham a nice town, but it's nothing compared to Solihull!"

"Wrexham gave me my chance. At 17 I was thrown in the first team. Brian Flynn was excellent to me - he looked after me and I think it helped that he was a midfielder as well. I think there's a lot of quality at Wrexham - enough to get the club into the First Division. The problem is they always seem to fall away in the last ten games. I don't think money or lack of ambition is the problem. They had the Cup run last season and the money from my sale. I think there's big potential at the club - maybe they just need to buy some more players. I think they've been very consistent over the last ten years and they're a nice passing team."

On the highlights of his Wrexham career

"The Welsh Cup final win and the Cup run - especially the game at Birmingham. Chesterfield was bad - the worst dressing-room I've ever been in. It was just like the Birmingham dressing room after the Charlton match last season. Their keeper had a blinder and it meant we didn't get into the play-offs."

On going back

"I went back to watch the Southend match at home last season. It felt good to be back. The fans seemed pleased to see me - they welcomed me back. I've still got a lot of time for Wrexham and a lot of affection for them. They're a well run club, especially with the new training ground. I would gladly return to Wrexham some time in the future!"

On his mates at Wrexham

"Karl, Barry Jones and Dave Ridler were my big mates - the guys I used to travel in with in the car squad. And Steve Morris - Mozzy - as well. Did you know he's going to be a policeman?"

On Connolly

"He's better than Second Division level. I thought he'd have moved by now. He could definitely play in the First Division - he must be being paid good money. I know Stockport were after him. He's very talented - his vision in particular."

On Gary Bennett

"He was a great lad. He's had some transfer moves too."

On Wainwright

"He's had a good move to Sunderland. He had a lot of talent but I personally didn't think he was good enough. I thought he'd always be behind Craig Skinner and Martyn Chalk - I didn't think he'd get past them."

On Wrexham's other young starlets

"I think Dave Ridler could maybe make it. Mark McGregor has a lot of potential and he's very comfortable on the ball."

On that  Sky TV interview in the bath

"Actually it was in a jacuzzi. We'd just done an aerobics session. It didn't bother me!"

On Wrexham's Merseyside connection

"It was always nice to be at Wrexham with their big Merseyside connections. I grew up with people like Dave Brammer and Jon Cross - he was excellent as a kid. On the YTS scheme I was just a year older than those two."

On his best goals

"My best was my first - a volley at home to Hull. And then there were the Cup-run goals. And the goal against Peterborough. The own goals also stick - definitely! Like the 20-yard header against Plymouth! And the diving header away at Bournemouth!"

On playing for Wrexham

"The way Wrexham played was really conducive to me. With three midfielders and a right-winger there was always licence to get forward. Their passing game helped me."

On Flynn the player

"I never saw him play live but I've seen videos of him. He was a busy player - a kind of give-and- go player. It was good to have Brian as a manager - he gave me my technique as a player."

On Joey

"He gave me a lot of mental strength - he's so hyped up! I was on the bench and in the reserves for most of one season and I had a really good year working with Joey. It was really enjoyable."

On Magalluf

"An excellent holiday. What a story! It was May 1995 and everything was going so well. I'd just won the Young Player of the Year award at Wrexham. We went down to Cardiff for the Welsh Cup final. We won, and then we stayed over in a hotel to watch the FA Cup final. And my team Everton won! We caught a Sunday night flight to Magalluf and on Monday I'd been run over by a bus! I wasn't drunk though - just happy! It happened on a narrow street - it was the wheel of a coach that ran over my foot. I suffered ligament damage and a cracked heel. I was in Magalluf hospital overnight where I was put in plaster. It was a good holiday even so - I had to stay cheerful for the lads! And I was ready for the start of the next season."

On Rush

"He could eventually take Flynn's job."

On Wrexham's current squad

"Marriott: Excellent keeper but with a weakness on crosses

Cartwright: Good lad, big, more aggressive, throws himself at the ball, just the odd blunder

Brace: All heart, Welsh and loves the club; good going forward but I'm not sure he knows what he's doing! More luck than anything!

Hardy: Good consistent player, good on the ball, shame he didn't move on a few years ago

McGregor: Consistent down the right; can move on to better things

Carey: Good professional, confident on the ball and solid at the back; vital for this season

Humes: Old! All heart but looks tired - maybe his legs have gone. Flynn's first signing - a good leader

Ridler: OK, but still a lot to learn. I'm sure he can learn from Carey. A good non-league player in Liverpool - played for same team as Karl Connolly

Brammer: Good awareness - aggressive and a good passer. Had a bad time a few years ago but gets stuck in on the field

Ward: My favourite player. He's a moaner (!) - but he pulls the strings and is an intelligent player

Owen: Good player, works hard, surprised he hasn't moved on. He was superb in those Cup games against Arsenal and West Ham

Chalk: At Stockport I thought he was an excellent player. In training he looked good but maybe he's slightly lightweight - he's easily knocked off the ball. But he's got good skill and can cross well with both feet, and he's got a decent change of pace.

Russell: A good pro and great to have in the dressing room. He really lifts the lads - you need that. He does what Benno and Barry Hunter used to do.

Skinner: Good player - puts quality balls in. In that famous Plymouth match he was excellent - he put the ball on my head for that own goal. Maybe he's a little one-paced and needs a change of pace. Wingers usually have electric pace. I think, like Jon Cross, he needs confidence to boost him up.

Roberts: He's obviously come on a lot. He was a year younger than me and he's definitely got ability. He came on once as sub while I was there and he's obviously involved with the Wales Under-21s. People have been asking me about him at Birmingham

Connolly: The best player they've got - I don't really know how he's still there. Maybe he just doesn't have the ambition - he's so mellow! He won't talk to anyone - he just gets on with his job. Scores some wonder goals

Spink: Powerful in defence or attack - I've played against him, not with him."

In the next edition of Red Passion Bryan talks about himself as a person and as a footballer