Mark Hughes leads mourners at son’s funeral as football pays tribute
Former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes led mourners at the funeral of his 38-year-old son, Alex, carrying his coffin during an emotional service attended by prominent football figures in Cheshire.
Alex died suddenly and unexpectedly on 19 June.
The 62-year-old grieving father acted as a pallbearer alongside family members including his other son, Curtis, and father-in-law David Pollock.
Football gathers to pay respects
Scores of prominent figures from the professional game travelled to St Peter’s Church in Prestbury to support the Welsh manager’s family.
Among the attendees was former Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson, alongside past colleagues Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs, and Mike Phelan.
Grimsby Town manager David Artell also led a delegation from the League Two club.
Before his untimely passing, the 38-year-old had been employed by the Mariners as their lead for player recruitment.
‘Warmth, loyalty and kindness’
The emotional service featured touching eulogies from close family members remembering a man deeply passionate about sport.
Curtis delivered a moving tribute to his brother, recalling their close bond and how they served as best men at each other’s weddings.
“Some people fill a room with noise, Alex filled it with warmth, loyalty and kindness.”
Curtis added that he felt his brother’s presence just days after his passing when a bee flew directly into him, joking that it was a final attempt to annoy him.
A lifetime devoted to the game
Pollock shared how proud his son-in-law was of his two young sons, Sebastian and Leonardo.
He revealed the boys have already begun pointing to the sky when scoring goals to honour their late father.
“He will always be watching you in spirit, watching you score goals, watching you make tackles with every game.”
Like his famous father, Alex pursued a career within football following brief playing spells at Stockport County and Wrexham.
He began his off-pitch journey in 2007, working as a performance analyst while his father was managing Blackburn Rovers.