Soccer thug could play at Ninian Park - despite his ground ban

A convicted football hooligan could be set to play at the home of Cardiff City - despite being banned from the ground. Top semi-professional footballer Craig Hughes will be released from prison in a couple of weeks after being jailed for 33 months last year for his part in a city centre brawl. He is also barred from every football ground in England and Wales until 2012 - but will still be allowed to play in his new club Carmarthen Town's Uefa Cup match against Danish giants FC Copenhagen, which has been switched to Ninian Park. Football banning orders prevent yobs watching or being stewards at games, but do not block them playing. Hughes, 26, of Ynyshir, Rhondda, was involved in violent clashes between Cardiff City and West Ham United fans in Mill Lane, Cardiff, on September 23, 2003, the day the clubs met in the Carling Cup at Ninian Park. The then-Port Talbot Town striker was convicted of violent disorder and jailed, and received an eight-year football banning order. But Carmarthen have given him a shot at glory - and he may make one of his first appearances for them in the second leg of their Uefa Cup second qualifying round tie on August 25. 'He will be in the squad, so we'll leave it to the last minute and see what happens,' said Town general manager Kevin Morris. 'But it would definitely mean a lot to Craig to step out at Ninian Park - as a Cardiff City fan, it would be great for him. He's itching to play for us. 'However, we want to play it down at the moment and not focus on it because all the attention isn't fair on Craig. 'All he wants to do is get on with his life. 'He's a brilliant player - I think people will be surprised how good he is. He could easily play at a higher level and quite a few other clubs were after him. 'But manager Mark Jones and I have known him a long time and he's stayed loyal to us. We're delighted to have him.' Hughes had also received a three-year football banning order for invading the Ninian Park pitch after Cardiff City's FA Cup victory against Leeds United in January 2002. ...via