MUCH is known about Mark Hughes - his spells at England's top clubs and his success as manager of the Welsh national side.

But the new manager of Blackburn Rovers has also had some light shed on his earlier years by his former teachers and school friends in North Wales.

And they have revealed how even from a tender age, Hughes showed a gutsy determination on the football pitch and a mild manner off it.

Ted Partridge, a former school friend, recalls Sparky, as he was known, during his time at Ysgol Rhiwabon Comprehensive School, near Wrexham.

Ted, 42, is now head of PE at the school. He said: "I was a couple of years older than Mark but knew him very well. He was in the school team playing for our first 11, despite being a couple of school years below the rest of us - he was that good that he played above his level. He was a smashing lad, very hard working and obviously loved his sport, especially his football.

"He was also very studious and very hard working off the pitch as well."

"He was very popular and well liked and even now when he comes back into the school to talk to the pupils they all look up to him."

John Hotchkiss, Hughes' former maths teacher and current deputy head at the school, recalls Sparky's feet firmly on the ground attitude.

He said: "I recall Mark missing lessons because he was away with the Welsh youth team squad and Man United youth team.

"But when he came into school the next day he took his blazer off to use it as a goal post and played footy in the yard with all the other lads.

"He retained his school mates and never thought he was above them.

"He was great in class as well - honest, reliable, modest and quiet - he let his football do the talking.

"I have no doubt that if he didn't make it in football he would have gone on to university."

A rather understated school report, written by a former tutor in the 1970s, reads: "A bright pupil, an excellent house member, good at sports."

The Welshman's parents still live in Raubon and his nephews attend Ysogl Rhiwabon.