Latics defend Hughes return
29 Aug 2007 - 09:36:34
Oldham Athletic chief executive Simon Corney has called on the football community to back Lee Hughes following his return to the game following a prison sentence.
Hughes, 31, served three years of a six-year term for causing death by dangerous driving before being released earlier in the summer.
And although Corney admits some people might find it hard to accept that the former Coventry City and West Brom striker is back in football, he hopes Hughes is given a second chance and the opportunity to resurrect his career.
"This has been mentioned before and you've all heard it said, but if Lee was a roofer, a tiler, or something else we wouldn't be having this discussion, we wouldn't be having this press conference," he said.
"We don't condone what happened. We feel extremely sorry for the family and people had doubts as to whether we genuinely mean that, but we do of course.
"Having said that though, Lee is entitled to another chance. Whether people believe the time served was enough - that's not for any of us to decide, that's up to the courts and that will always be debated.
"But he's had three years of losing out on huge revenue, which again is the least of what we're discussing here, we all know that pales into insignificance compared to what the family went through."
Meanwhile, Hughes took the opportunity to make a public apology at a press conference to confirm his return to football with the Latics.
"Although I have served the sentence laid down by law, I know that nothing I can do or say will change what has happened," he said.
"In going some way to facing my responsibilities I have met with a relative of the man who died, and what was said will always remain a private and personal matter.
"This is the first time I've been able to make a public apology for my actions and I now hope for an opportunity to rebuild my life.
"I made dreadful mistakes and decisions that will live with me for the rest of my life."