Canterbury has officially welcomed the Hughes clan back into the fold in a significant step towards reuniting the fractured ‘Family Club'.

The Hughes family is one of the most influential in the history of rugby league and is synonymous with the Bulldogs. The Hugheses have been a constant at the Bulldogs since 1974, although there has been a strained relationship for almost 15 years after a bitter falling out.

Family ties: Corey Hughes in action for Canterbury during the 2005 season. Credit:Tim Clayton

The Hughes family surrendered their life memberships in 2009 in protest at the club’s decision not to extend the honour to former hooker Corey Hughes and the refusal to apologise to his father, Garry, who was sacked after the Coffs Harbour dramas of 2004. The trio of brothers - Graeme, Garry and Mark - as well as Garry’s sons Steve and Glenn, made the unprecedented move.

It’s understood to be the game’s biggest mass resignation of life membership and the family has been frozen out of the club ever since.