Hundreds of mourners, including Manchester United legends, gathered at St Peter's Church in Prestbury on Tuesday to pay their respects to Alex Hughes, the son of former Manchester United and Manchester City star Mark Hughes. Alex, who served as player recruitment lead for Grimsby Town, died at the age of 38 on June 19, leaving behind his wife Jessica and two young sons, Sebastian and Leonardo.
Footballing Icons Pay Tribute
Among the attendees were Sir Alex Ferguson, Mike Phelan, Martin Edwards, Bryan Robson, and Ryan Giggs. Other notable football figures included Martin Keown and Jon Walters. A delegation from Grimsby Town, led by manager David Artell, also attended. Mark Hughes was one of those who carried his son's coffin into the church.
Emotional Tributes at the Service
The service included a family tribute from Alex's younger brother, Curtis, who said: "Alex was an amazing person: dad, son, brother, grandson, uncle and friend. We were incredibly lucky to have him in our lives, and although we wish we could have many more years with him, we will be forever grateful for the years we did have. We love you, Alex. We miss you already, and we'll miss you every single day." An emotional eulogy was also delivered by Alex's father-in-law, David Pollock.
Legacy of Alex Hughes
Alex Hughes had built a career in football recruitment after his playing days, most recently at Grimsby Town. His sudden death prompted an outpouring of grief from the football community. The funeral at St Peter's Church in Prestbury saw a large turnout, reflecting the impact he had on those who knew him.
