Stephen Hughes

[Rich]

richblaze said:

Player of the season Stephen Hughes today committed himself to Coventry City for the next three years.

The Sky Blues skipper has turned down a host of offers from rival Coca-Cola Championship clubs to sign a new contract at Highfield Road and lead the City into the new Ricoh Arena.

The signature of the sought-after midfielder is a major boost to manager Mickey Adams and the fans, many of whom had feared losing the club's star player on a free transfer this summer.

But Hughes revealed it was his close relationship with the supporters that convincing him that it was right to stay.

"I feel I have a special relationship with the fans and that meant an awful lot to me," said the 28-year-old who also paid tribute to chairman Mike McGinnity for stepping into his contract negotiations and bringing the matter to a successful conclusion.

"The fans have been a source of great encouragement during my first season with the club, often singing my name and calling for me to be signed up and it is always nice to be wanted.

"But there are a number of reasons why I have decided to sign. I am settled in Leamington and I spoke to my family and it suited them.

"A number of clubs put offers in front of me but my priority has always been Coventry City and I am delighted to have got everything sorted out and I have to say a big thank you to the chairman for helping to do that."

He added: "I am now very much looking forward to the pre-season and hopefully seeing this club move forward in the new stadium."

Great news. By far City's best and most consistant player last season and played in near enough every position including goalkeeper.

Nice one Mickey Adams

[Claret & Blue Army]

Good signing for CCFC.
Very surprised he stayed there though

[Rich]

Yeh nice to see some loyalty from a player for a change. He had about 7 other clubs after him and I'm sure most of them could have offered him more money than City. There isn't enough loyalty in football today but what do you expect when there is so much money in the game? Players have to take what they can get. Fair play to Mickey Adams/Mike McGinnity for getting this deal done and then releasing it to the press unlike last season when City's transfer targets seemed to be getting realeased to the press even before City had spoke to them.