ALEX Hughes has called time on his Whitchurch Alport career after nine years.

The club captain is taking a break from the game after making 244 appearances and scoring 111 goals for his hometown club.

Manager Adam Shillcock paid tribute to Hughes, saying: “One thing you realise as manager and have to accept is that players come and go the further you go up the pyramid. It’s always difficult to accept and the thing which weighs us down the most.

"Some players however come and never go and etch themselves into the club's fabric, leaving long lasting memories and creating their legacy of stature . Hughesy will forever be in the hearts and minds of modern day Alport.

OTHER NEWS: 

"I’ll miss him and wish him the very best as he embarks on the stage of his life whether that be with or without football.

"I know he won’t be short of offers if decides to go back in. He has so much to offer the game still and is in absolutely tip top condition. A consummate professional dedicated to his sport.

Ellesmere Rangers’ revival continued with a 3-1 win at St Martins in the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League on Saturday with goals from Jacob Allan, Asa Dean and Owen Washington ensuring the Swans the spoils while Tom Ash reduced the arrears.

Rangers manager Josh Gough said: “It was a really good win. We should have been out of sight by half-time but didn’t take our chances. We stuck to the task and got the job done though.”

Rangers travel to AMS on Saturday with Gough saying: “It is another opportunity to keep up our good form and trying to build a gap from the bottom.”

Alex Hughes struck twice as Shrewsbury Up and Comers consigned Whitchurch Alport 1946 to a 2-1 defeat while Tom Shone replied for the Reds.