Media view on Hughes statement

Last updated : 28 August 2007 By Dave Moore

Lee Hughes has issued a statement (see previous article link) regarding the rebuilding of his football career and the media have the following to add:

Sky News reported; The striker has joined Oldham Athletic after being released from jail and admitted a tough time lies ahead. He served three years of a six-year sentence for driving his Mercedes into another vehicle and fleeing the scene. Father-of-four Douglas Graham was killed in the crash in 2004.

The player said he wanted to rebuild his life and vowed to help the club achieve promotion from League One to the Championship. The former West Brom player was recently freed from Featherstone Prison, near Wolverhampton. Hughes was driving home from a post-match drinking session when the accident happened. He fled the scene of the crash on the outskirts of Coventry on foot to avoid a breath test. The striker's contract with West Brom was terminated after he was convicted at Coventry Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving.

Speaking after the trial, Mr Graham's wife Maureen said Hughes had taken something away from her family that could never be replaced.

BBC Sport added; Hughes said, "This is the first time I've been able to make a public apology. I hope for a chance to rebuild my life."

A debate on BBC Sport brought the following response by Albert Frisby, who was injured in the crash which led to Hughes being sent to prison. Frisby said, "He has got no remorse. To me he is very arrogant and ignorant. I've just got no time for the fellow. The only people I feel sorry for are his two kiddies. They've got to suffer the abuse that he's going to be called, or whatever, so it's just devastation all round."