It has been 17 years since Mark Hughes was last in Maitland Town Hall.
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It was 1997 and Hughes, then 20 years of age, was wrapped in the euphoria of winning the Newcastle Knights maiden premiership and proudly holding aloft the Optus Cup to a legion of red and blue fans in High Street.
Not long after he was named the 1997 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year, capping off a wonderful period in Hughes’ life.
“It brings back a lot of great memories,” Hughes told the Mercury.
“When I was lucky enough to win the award it was a great time in my life, I was 20 years old and we’d just won the ’97 grand final with the Knights.
“It’s still all a big blur really.”
On Friday night Hughes will revisit the city’s landmark venue as guest speaker of the 50th anniversary Maitland Sportsperson of the Year awards.
Not only that but the ceremony will be used as a fund-raiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation, which was recently established to help families in the Hunter after his ongoing battle with brain cancer.
“I can’t thank the Maitland Mercury and the people of Maitland enough for giving me an opportunity to basically kick it off really,” he said.
“But I can’t wait to get up there and see everyone on Friday night and I’m sure it will be a great night.”
A charity auction for the Mark Hughes Foundation can be found on the Mercury website.
It features a 2014 Knights jersey, framed and signed, a 55” LG smart television and a fully catered function for 30 people.
Bids can be made until 3pm on Friday.
Those attending Friday night’s ceremony can then out bid those attempts in an auction conducted by Luke Anderson of event sponsor PRD nationwide.
Tickets to the 2013 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year awards are still available at Maitland City Bowls, Sports and Recreation Club.
To buy tickets simply visit the Rutherford venue or call 4939 1200.
See Friday’s Maitland Mercury for an interview with Mark Hughes in the Weekend Magazine section.