Bobby Hughes was a team mate of Leeds City centre-half Jack Hampson under manager Herbert Chapman at Northampton Town and did enough to earn a place in a Southern Leagure representative team during his stay.

He was invited to appear as a guest for Leeds City in early 1916, making his debut on 5 February at Bradford City. In all he played four times for the Peacocks that spring but pulled up no trees.

Following the resumption of peacetime football, Hughes signed for Second Division Hull City in 1919, where he remained a couple of years. He played only twice in two seasons at Sheffield United before moving on to Brentford in 1923. A year later he joined Rochdale, where he remained until 1928, scoring 48 times in 127 League appearances. He then played for Wigan Borough until 1930 before ending his career with Ashton National.

Hughes died in 1955.