Matty links up with first team
New signing Matty Hughes met up with his new teammates for the first time this week, and believes he has enough to offer Graham Alexander in the coming weeks.
Hughes had netted an impressive sixteen goals for Skelmersdale this season to fire them top of the Northern Premier Division, before making the switch to Highbury.
Speaking to the club’s official website for the first time on Thursday, the former Everton youth team player said he can’t wait to get going: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call to come to Fleetwood. I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer ever since I was a kid, so this is my chance and I have to take it”.
His exploits during the first half of this campaign for Skem had seen a number of Football League clubs show an interest in him, and he hopes his former side can get promoted: “They’re flying at the minute, and are doing better than what they expected to do. I’d say Chorley are favourites to win the league, but we’ve had a good go at them and they’re all a great bunch of lads”.
The 21 year old will have to adapt from part-time football to full-time football with the Cod Army, and admits he won’t miss the early starts in the mornings anymore: “It’ll be better than getting up at 6am every morning, but I’ve adapted well so far and I just need to keep as I’m doing”.
Prior to Skelmersdale, Hughes represented Golborne Sports Club: “I was at Skelmersdale for a year, but before then I was at amateur level with Golbourne. Skem invited me down for a trial, and I did well, so it’s gone from there really”.
Asked what he feels he can bring to the team, the Wigan born striker replied: “I can bring a bit of versatility to the team. I watched the game on Monday against Scunthorpe and we should have won, but it wasn’t to be. I can get wide, get at players, deliver good balls and score goals”.
With Saturday’s game to York on the horizon, Hughes admits it’s going to be a difficult task for him to force his way into the starting eleven: “I can’t wait to get going, but I know it’s going to be hard to break into the squad at the minute because they’re flying, but I’m sure I’ll adapt to it and bring a lot more to the squad”.
Manager Graham Alexander added: “He’s a young, hungry pro who is desperate to do well. Our scouts have watched him several times this season and he’s impressed them every time. It’s all down to him and his application now, as I don’t care about the age of players. If they show they’re good enough to be in the first team, then that is where they will be”.
Hughes has been allocated squad number 22 and is available for player sponsorship - please call 01253 775080 for details.