Hughes made his Sunderland debut in 1967 at the age of 18-years-old and went on to net 81 goals in 335 appearances during 11 years with the North East club.
He also scored four times in the famous 1973 FA Cup – including the winner in the semi-final against Arsenal. Here, we take a look at some photos of the Hughes during his playing days.
Scroll down and click through the pages to view them.
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5. 1973
Sunderland v Cardiff City, September 8 1973. The Black Cats win 1-0. | Getty Images Photo: Sunderland Echo
6. 1973
Pictured - Micky Horswill, Ian Porterfield, Billy Hughes. | Getty Images Photo: Sunderland Echo
7. 1973
Left to right: Ian Porterfield, Billy Hughes, Jimmy Montgomery, Dick Malone, Richie Pitt, Mike Horswill, songwriter, Mike Blake at the organ, and youngsters Stephen and Karina Allison, James and Fiona Bute and Bobby Knoxall. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
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8. 1976
Pictured left to right: Tony Towers, Billy Hughes, Jimmy Montgomery | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo