Grimsby Town FC's head coach, David Artell, has paid heartfelt tribute to Alex Hughes, the club's player recruitment lead, who recently passed away at the age of 38. Hughes, who joined the Mariners in 2025, was remembered as a dedicated professional and a cherished individual within the club.

Artell described Hughes as a "lovely, top guy" and reflected on the impact of his sudden death in June, which the club had previously termed as "sudden and unexpected." Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, he noted, "He would take everything into account, and he was just such a good guy. Life can be really cruel."

Hughes was not only known for his professional acumen but also for his humble demeanor. Artell remarked, "He wasn't the loudest in the room; he liked process. He was good at his job, very humble." Before his tenure at Grimsby Town, Hughes had a diverse career in football, playing for Stockport County and Wrexham's reserve teams, and later transitioning into player analysis and recruitment roles at clubs including Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, AFC Fylde, and Morecambe. He also spent about a decade working as a player agent at a private academy in Portugal.

Importantly, Alex Hughes was the son of former football star Mark Hughes, who had a distinguished playing career with Manchester United and Chelsea, and managed the Wales national team from 1999 to 2004. Following Hughes's passing, Artell shared his personal struggle with the news, stating, "You only get one hit of this goal, in this life, and it's not been easy. It's just sad, really sad."

In a statement released shortly after his death, Grimsby Town described Hughes as a "devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother, and friend", emphasizing his significant contribution to the development of the men's first-team squad.