Fred Hughson

{{Short description|Australian rules footballer and coach}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}

{{Use Australian English|date=September 2015}}

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Fred Hughson

| image = Fred Hughsonr.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| fullname = Fred Hughson

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1914|5|22}}

| birth_place =

| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|10|23|1914|5|22|df=yes}}

| death_place =

| originalteam = Preston (VFA)

| height = 183 cm

| weight = 85 kg

| position =

| statsend = 1947

| coachstatsend = 1947

| years1 = 1938–1947

| club1 = {{AFL Fit}}

| games_goals1 = 164 (95)

| sooteam1 = Victoria

| coachyears1 = 1943–1947

| coachclub1 = {{AFL Fit}}

| coachgames_wins1 = 96 (60–34–2)

| careerhighlights = *VFL premiership: 1944

• Fitzroy captain: 1943–1947
• Fitzroy Club Champion: 1943
• Fitzroy leading goalkicker: 1938
• {{AFL Fit}} team of the century

}}

Fred Hughson (22 May 1914 – 23 October 1987){{cite book|last=Donald, Chris|title=Fitzroy: For The Love Of The Jumper| publisher=Pan Macmillan Australia|year=2002|isbn=978-1-877029-18-9}} was an Australian rules footballer who played for, captained, and later coached Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was the last person to lead Fitzroy to the premiership before their merger with the Brisbane Bears, doing so in 1944 as both captain and coach.

He coached Fitzroy for 96 games between 1943 until his retirement in 1947, only two players coached the side more and his 103 games as captain was bettered by only three.

Hughson played as a fullback and was named in that position in Fitzroy's Team of the Century.Footy Stamps (2006). [http://www.footystamps.com/fl_team_of_the_century.htm Fitzroy Team of the Century]. Retrieved on 6 May 2008. However, he did play up forward in his debut season in 1938, kicking 62 goals in 15 games topping the club's goalkicking charts. A long kicker of the ball, Hughson established the official and recognised world record for a drop kick at 83 yards 11 inches – at the halftime interval of a VFL game against South Melbourne at the Brunswick Street Oval.Brisbane Lions (2008). [http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=23734 Fitzroy History: 1924-1964: An Era of Legends]. Retrieved on 6 May 2008.

He finished third in the 1941 Brownlow Medal and sixth in 1947; but the highlight of his career was undoubtedly winning the 1944 Grand Final by 15 points over Richmond, as Captain-Coach.

After leaving Fitzroy he went on to play and coach South Warrnambool.