Winger Hughes completes dream move

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Skelmersdale United are looking forward to receiving an undisclosed fee for Matty Hughes after the winger signed for Fleetwood Town on Thursday night.

Hughes, pictured, scored 24 goals in 58 appearances before becoming the latest player to come off manager Tommy Lawson’s vaunted player production line and join a Football League club.

Having been rejected as a schoolboy by both Everton and Wigan Athletic and arriving via local club Golborne Town, he joins the ranks of other recent graduates led by Cardiff City’s Craig Noone who left the club in 2008 as a 20-year-old before finding his way to the Premier League five years later.

The Premier Division’s title-chasers wished the 20-year-old well in pursuit of his dreams after Skelmersdale United Chairman Paul Griffiths reached what a spokesman called an ‘amicable agreement for an undisclosed fee’.

The League Two club were also praised for their 'approach and handling' of the transfer which includes the possibility further payments based on a number of sell–on clauses including appearances and future transfers.

Hughes netted a hat-trick on his debut for Skem in December 2012 in a Doodson Sport Cup clash against Prescot Cables and has been on the radar of a number of higher league clubs since.

Last season, his 15 goals in 28 appearances helped Lawson’s side romp home to the First Division North title and promotion after he'd signed a contract that was due to run out in June but included an option to be extended for three years.

Skem face Trafford on Saturday with one familiar face returning to the West Lancashire College Stadium. Midfielder Aaron Turner, 28, is in contention to make his first appearance since last season when he played a starring role in the club’s FA Trophy run after finally recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.