Lee Hughes set to join Port Vale?
Speculation is mounting that Lee Hughes is set to sign for Port Vale FC after Notts County announced that the striker had left the club by mutual consent.
A statement on the Notts County website said: “Notts County can confirm that striker Lee Hughes has left the club by mutual consent.”
Vale chairman Paul Wildes tweeted that a “big signing” was due on Tuesday and manager Micky Adams has confirmed that the club are in negotiations with a player.
Vale were unsuccessful in an attempt to sign Hughes in November due to their now infamous inability to fax through the documents in time for the Football League deadline.
However, it now looks increasingly likely that the striker will sign for the Valiants this week. Ironically, John Rudge also tried to sign Hughes from Kidderminster in 1997 but the then non-league striker decided to join West Brom instead.
There is no doubt that should the signing go ahead then it will cause some controversy. The striker served a prison term in 2004 for causing death by dangerous driving. To his credit, Hughes did make a public apology and met the family of the man who died. However, some fans will also see the signing of Hughes as a statement of intent from new owners Paul Wildes and Norman Smurthwaite.
Photo of Lee Hughes: Copyright Ingy the Wingy (all rights reserved)
Lee Hughes Factfile
Age: 36
Clubs: West Brom, Coventry, Oldham, Blackpool, Notts County
Games: 400+88
Goals: 206