The funeral of Alex Hughes, the 38-year-old son of Manchester United legend Mark Hughes, took place on an undisclosed date at St Peter’s Church in Prestbury, Cheshire, drawing hundreds of mourners. Alex, who worked in Grimsby Town’s player recruitment department, died suddenly on June 19, leaving his family “totally heartbroken,” according to his father.
Mark Hughes, 62, a two-time Premier League winner and former manager, carried his son’s coffin alongside Alex’s brother Curtis and his father-in-law, David Pollock. The Welsh manager looked emotional as they lifted the casket into the packed church. Alex’s wife Jess, whom he met at school as a teenager, wept as she walked behind with their children, Sebastian and Leonardo.
“Sir Alex Ferguson led mourners at the funeral of Mark Hughes' son Alex, 38, who died suddenly.”
Leading the mourners was Sir Alex Ferguson, Hughes’ former boss at Manchester United. Other United greats in attendance included Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs, along with ex-coach Mike Phelan and former chairman Martin Edwards. Grimsby Town manager David Artell, who worked closely with Alex at the League Two club, also led a delegation from the Mariners.
David Pollock delivered a touching eulogy, speaking directly to his grandchildren about their father. “He’s so proud of your determination, he’s so proud of your passion,” Pollock said. “He will always be watching you in spirit, watching you score goals, watching you make tackles with every game. And when you look up and do your celebrations, which I know you’ve been doing already, he’ll be watching over you, high in the sky.”
Curtis Hughes struggled to hold back tears as he paid tribute to his brother, hailing his “warmth, loyalty and kindness” while joking that he was simply his “annoying older brother.” He recounted a poignant moment after Alex’s death: “People look for signs when they lose someone… to tell them they’re still around. I was lucky enough to have mine. Just two days after we said goodbye to Alex, I was trying to distract myself with work when a bee decided to fly straight into me. In that moment, I just knew it was Al…”
The funeral was a solemn gathering of footballing figures and family, reflecting the deep loss felt by those who knew Alex. A father carrying his son’s coffin, a church filled with legends, and a eulogy that spoke of watching from the sky — all underscored a tragedy that has left a family and a football community in mourning.
