FORMER Holmer Green schoolboy Stephen Hughes has won a professional contract with Nationwide Second division Brentford.

The Wycombe Wanderers fan landed the deal after completing two years as a youth trainee at Griffin Park.

The left-sided forward said: "I'm well chuffed. I've worked hard for it but I know I've still got a long way to go. This the first step but there are still a lot more hurdles ahead of me. A lot of people get signed up as first

year professionals and then fall by the wayside."

The 18-year-old was first spotted by the Bees after he played against them for Bucks two years ago.

He also spent time with Wanderers, Luton Town and Southampton when he was playing with Holmer Green minors.

He said: "I would have liked it to have worked out at Wycombe but it really clicked for me at Brentford."

He is currently playing for the Bees reserve side and is hoping to break into the first team next season.

March 15, 2002 09:30