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Bryan Hughes will be remembered affectionately by Blues and Wrexham supporters

Birmingham City and Wrexham are currently the two most publicised sides in League One.

With both having strong American investment from Knighthead in Blues' case, spearheaded by the trio of Tom Wagner, Garry Cook and Tom Brady, whilst the Red Dragons' rise up the EFL has been funded by the Hollywood duo of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Talk has surrounded the upcoming fixture between two of the third tier's early-season pace-setters for some time, with even some prior discourse surrounding whether the encounter would have been played in the USA after a 16th September date was penned for the clash at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Of course, the histories and journeys of the two clubs have been massively different in the short and long-term, but one man with strong connections to both clubs will always be remembered by the respective fanbases with great fondness.

Bryan Hughes' breakout years with Wrexham AFC

Liverpool-born Bryan Hughes made his debut for the North Wales outfit in January 1994 in a 2-2 draw against Cambridge United, which began his three breakout years at the Racecourse Ground.

The young midfielder made his first 11 appearances as Brian Flynn's side finished in 11th at the end of the season, before Hughes started to make a name for himself the following campaign with 11 goals in all competitions - nine of which came in the league after his first ever strike against Hull City in October 1994 - the same season in which his future employers romped to a league and EFL Trophy double under Barry Fry, whilst Hughes featured in Wrexham's Welsh Cup success over Cardiff City.

An indifferent 1995/96 season saw the creative spark register just 14 starts in all competitions, before once again coming to the fore the following campaign, particularly through numerous FA Cup exploits.

Despite still being just 20 years of age at the time, Hughes netted six goals in nine FA Cup appearances against Colwyn Bay, Scunthorpe United, West Ham and Birmingham, cancelling out Steve Bruce's first-half opener with a 50th minute strike, before goals from Tony Humes and Karl Connolly set up a quarter-final with Chesterfield, a 1-0 defeat which signalled the end for the midfielder at his first club.

Bryan Hughes' £1m transfer to Birmingham City

Just days before his antics in the Second City in the FA Cup, Blues boss Trevor Francis cast an eye on Hughes and saw him net his final league goal in Wrexham colours against Peterborough United, and after an abundance of key performances for the Red Dragons, Hughes became the club's only seven-figure sale to date, moving to B9 in March 1997.

The Scouser made the first of 291 appearances in a West Midlands Derby against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, becoming a staple of Francis' side that would become a strong force in the First Division and in cup competitions, but failed to gain promotion with Blues' most famous son at the helm.

After an initial 11-game period following the move, Hughes began to make the seamless step-up in division the following season with five goals in 40 league appearances, two of which came in a 7-0 away rout against Stoke City in January 1998.

Birmingham eventually made the Play-Offs in 1998/99, losing out to Watford on penalties, whilst Hughes' impact was slightly lessened with just 28 league appearances, before recording the most prolific season ahead of more play-off agony against Barnsley, reaching double figures with 10 goals to his name.

The Liverpudlian, and boyhood Everton fan, would then come up against Liverpool at the Millenium Stadium in what was the club's first major final since 1963, but even more pain was to ensue, as the Merseyside outfit emerged victorious in a 6-5 penalty shootout success, before Francis and Blues remained cursed in the post-season lottery, losing to David Moyes' Preston North End.

"We just kept losing, on penalties, the calamity against Barnsley. We just couldn’t put our finger on why we were losing so often," Hughes told Birmingham Live years later.

However, the curse would be lifted 12 months later, with Hughes still a prominent figure as Steve Bruce replaced Francis in November 2001, eventually guiding the club to their first-ever Premier League season and first top flight campaign since 1985 - the mainstay was still able to contribute seven goals in 31 league appearances, as well as a goal in the play-off semi-final first leg against Millwall, prior to the historic shootout win over Norwich City.

"We all knew in the dressing room if we got through the semi-finals we would go on and win it – and we proved that against Norwich," Hughes stated.

"It was just elation, being there for five seasons – relief. All the heartbreak we’d had through all the years, to come together on that single afternoon was an unbelievable moment. The celebrations lasted for days."

Throughout his first ever taste of top-flight action, Hughes saw a starting berth hard to come by, making just 10, as well as 12 substitute appearances, although goals against Sunderland and Southampton in the Spring of 2003 were integral in the club consolidating their position in the Premier League.

Despite being forced out wide to accommodate the likes of David Dunn, Hughes also enjoyed an extended run in the side across the 2003/04 season as Blues recorded a 10th-place finish, which included 16 starts in 17 games between December 2003 and April 2004 - including a double against Leeds United in a 4-1 victory, before Bruce dropped the long-standing servant against Wolves amid rumblings of a contract dispute, although the versatile man has since made clear that he wanted to remain in B9 for as long as possible.

"I had no interest in leaving. I had been at the club six-and-a-half years, I wanted to stay for another three years to get a testimonial and show my loyalty to the club," he said.

"You get to a point where you are thinking ‘Why am I grovelling over a three-year contract when I am playing really well, scoring and creating goals’.

"He brought me on (vs Wolves) – there were a few fans booing me thinking I wanted to leave. That wasn’t the case, I had been banging my head against a wall for the previous ten months – then I was focused on keeping us in the Premier League.

"I couldn’t believe how it had deteriorated. It wasn’t nice how it panned out," Hughes concluded.

After making the last of his 291 appearances in a 33-minute cameo against Blackburn Rovers, Hughes moved on to Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2004, before spells with Hull City, Derby County, Burton Albion, IBV and Accrington Stanley.

The 48-year-old did make a return to Wrexham as manager in February 2019, but after losing in the play-offs to Eastleigh and going eight games without a win, he was relieved of his duties in September of the same year.

Regardless of such unfortunate circumstances in terms of his St Andrew's exit and dismissal from the North Wales dugout, Hughes will be fondly remembered by the two sets of supporters for his consistent performances and efforts on the pitch.