Alex Hughes, Grimsby Town recruitment lead and Mark Hughes' son, dies at 38

Alex Hughes, the player recruitment lead at Grimsby Town and son of former Wales and Manchester United striker Mark Hughes, has died at 38. His family described the loss as sudden and unexpected in a statement released through the League Managers Association. Grimsby said the club was devastated and paid tribute to Hughes as a respected member of its football department. He joined the League Two side in 2025 and worked closely with head coach David Artell on recruitment and first-team development. Hughes had brief playing spells with Stockport County and Wrexham before moving into analysis, recruitment and agency work. He later held roles at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, AFC Fylde and Morecambe.