Football Federation Australia (FFA) is saddened to learn that former Socceroos Captain Pat Hughes, passed away earlier this week.
Pat was born in Greenock in Scotland on 4 June 1939. He played with Duntocher Hibs in the Scottish Junior Leagues, before migrating to Australia and joining APIA in 1960.
Starting as a forward he made his name as a competitive midfielder and was selected for Sydney, New South Wales and Australia against Chelsea, Moscow Torpedo and New Caledonia in 1965.
He became Socceroo #167 when he made his first A-International appearance against DPR Korea on 21 November 1965 in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Phnom Penh.
Five days later he became the 18th captain of the Socceroos with his first match with the armband against Cambodia in Phnom Penh on 26 November 1965.
In 1967, he led his adopted country against Scotland, but felt he could not give up his employment later that year when the squad was selected to take part in the Vietnam National Day tournament which Australia won.
Hughes made 13 appearances for the Socceroos (9 A-Internationals) from 1965-1967 and captained the team on seven occasions.
After he finished playing he coached at Sutherland. His contribution to Australian football was recognised by FFA along with his team-mates at a reunion of the 1965 Socceroos squad in November 2015.
Pat is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Steven & David and daughter Michelle and grandchildren Lachlan, Bronte, Ainsley, Tegan and Mackenzie.
Funeral details are:
St Mary McKillop Church
Oran Park
Wednesday 18 October 2017
Commencing at 11am
The family has requested donations to the Children’s Cancer Foundation (childrenscancerfoundation.com.au) in lieu of flowers.