Frank 'Checker' Hughes

Infobox afl player | firstname = Frank
lastname = Hughes




birthdate = birth date|1894|2|26|df=y
birthplace =
originalteam = Burnley FC
heightweight = 175cm / 70kg
dead = dead
deathdate = death date and age|df=yes|1978|1|23|1894|2|26
deathplace =
debutdate = 1914
debutteam = Richmond
debutopponent =
debutstadium =
playingteams = Richmond (1914-1915; 1919-1923)

87 games, 51 goals
coach = coach
coachingteams = Richmond (1927-1932) 87 wins, 31 losses, 2 draws

Melbourne (1933-1941; 1945-1948) 157 wins, 95 losses, 2 draws
statsend = 2006
careerhighlights =

*Richmond - Premiership Player 1920, 1921
*Interstate Games: 1
*Richmond - Premiership Coach 1932
*Melbourne - Premiership Coach 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948
*Melbourne - Hall of Fame - inducted 2001
*Richmond - Hall of Fame - inducted 2004
*Australian Football Hall of Fame - inducted 1996

Frank 'Checker' Hughes (born Francis Vane Hughes, 26 February 1894; died 23 January 1978) was a famous player and coach of Australian rules football in the Victorian Football League (later renamed to Australian Football League) in the period 1914 to 1948.

Playing career

A small and quick player with brilliant skills in stab passing and handball, Hughes played in two Richmond Football Club premiership sides.
* Richmond 1914-15; 1919-23 (87 games, 51 goals)
** Premierships 1920, 1921.

Coaching career

Hughes coached over an extended period with a great deal of success, securing 5 VFL premierships. When his friend and former Richmond Secretary Percy Page went to Melbourne Football Club Hughes followed him. He renamed the "Fuschias" to Demons, sacked 13 players and instilled discipline in the club.
* Ulverstone (Tasmania) 1924-1926
* Richmond 1927-1932 (120 games, 87 wins, 31 losses, 2 draws)
** Premiership 1932.
* Melbourne 1933-1941, 1945-1948, 1965 (254 games, 157 wins, 95 losses, 2 draws)
** Premierships 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948.

Hughes was inducted to the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996 with his citation reading::"Took Richmond to premiership success in 1932 then went to Melbourne and landed another four flags. A tough and disciplined coach."

References

*cite book |last=Ross |first=John |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Australian Football Hall of Fame |year=1999 |publisher=HarperCollinsPublishers |location=Australia |id=ISBN 0-7322-6426-X | pages=p. 79
* [http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=halloffame&spg=coaches AFL: Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/hi-hz.htm#Frank%20'Checker'%20Hughes%20(Richmond,%20Ulverstone,%20Melbourne) Full Points Footy bio]
* Hogan P: "The Tigers Of Old" , Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
* [http://www.richmondfc.com.au/TheClub/History/HallofFame/tabid/7638/Default.aspx Richmond Football Club - Hall of Fame]

ee also