Just heard that Brian Hughes died on Saturday.

Such sad news, Brian was probably the hardest rugby player I've ever seen, he would run through a brick wall for us when he had the ball and would throw his body on the line at anything that came at him in defence, Brian played well above his weight and I can honestly say he was fearless on the field of play and I never once saw him take a backward step. He really did have the heart of a Tiger!

Brian was an altogether different character off the pitch, was a really nice guy and made the perfect "Mine Host" at the Old Mill, down Lock Lane.

Brian is such a sad loss and to lose him at such a young age is a travesty, but he will live on forever in our memories.

My deepest sympathy to Brian's family.

He was definitely a crowd pleaser! He often took delayed passes near the defensive line at full speed. This usually had remarkable results or would end up with poor old Brian laid out! He had a kamikaze tackling style where he would fly out of the line and target the opponents ribs, often with a devastating outcome. He also put something back into the amateur game with Cutsyke and was later the District ARL coach. RIP

AGREE WITH EVERYTHING SAID ABOUT BRIAN, I AM NEARLY SURE THE FIRST GAME HE PLAYED FOR CAS, WAS AT FARTOWN AGAINST HUDDERSFIELD, I THINK HE WAS ON LOAN FROM OLDHAM AT THE TIME, MY FIRST IMPRESSION THEN WAS LETS GET HIM SIGNED ON. HE PLAYED AGAINST SOME OF THE BEST AND HARDEST AND AS SOMEONE HAS QUOTED ALL READY HE NEVER TOOK A BACKWARD STEP, A VERY NICE MAN TO TALK TO AS WELL. BRIAN SAMMY HUGHES THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES MATE, RIP.

One of my all time favourites. A proper minder in an era when you needed someone to look after the playmakers. One of the most memorable stories about Brian tells of how he forced Widnes' Brian Hogan into hiding on the team bus after an incident resulting in a bad injury to Mal Reilly. Despite giving away more than a few inches/stones no-one doubted he would have scared the life out of Hogan who was no shrinking violet himself.

very sad news, brian has been unwell for a couple of years and im sure he`s in a better place now.

r.i.p thoughts with his family.

Very sad, he coach me at the panthers a few year ago, a great guy and will be missed.

RIP

RIP.

This has now been rlreported on castigers.comrl too.

rip brian, he was captain at york when i made my debut, hard as nails and always gave 100% even in training , it was an honour to have played along side him. deepest sympathy to all the family

I also played under Brian at Panthers very good bloke all the best to his family who i no well 2 very sad day

Very sorry to hear this news. I remember watching him play for Oldham many times. Also remember him acquiring the nickname of 'Rentokill'. As a prop, what he might have lacked in size, he more than made uf for in guts and heart. RIP Brian.