Background
Howard was born in Walkden and played youth football with Walkden Wednesday, before starting his professional career with Manchester City in 1912.
Howard was born in Walkden and played youth football with Walkden Wednesday, before starting his professional career with Manchester City in 1912.
He played in Wales with Mid Rhondda, Pontypridd, Wrexham, and Welshpool Town. In Scotland with Dundee Hibernian, Ayr United, and Clyde. And in England with Manchester City, Portuguese Vale, and New Brighton.
He bagged 14 goals in 35 appearances in 1913-1914, including a hat-trick against Derby County at the Baseball Ground.
He scored 18 goals in 36 games in 1914-1915 to become the club"s top scorer. He scored a total of 40 goals in 79 league games.
This total probably would have been much higher if it wasn"t for World War I. He did remain in Manchester for part of the 1915-1916 season, scoring four goals in seven games. After leaving City in 1919 he played for Welsh sides Mid Rhondda and Pontypridd, before heading to Scotland with Dundee Hibernian, Ayr United (on trial) and Clyde.
Howard returned to England in July 1923, signing with Second Division side Portuguese Vale.
He played 12 games in the 1923-1924 season, and scored two goals in a 4–3 defeat to Crystal Palace at The Old Recreation Ground on 1 September. His stay in Burslem was short though, and after losing his first team place in November 1923 he was given a free transfer to New Brighton of the Third Division North. He later moved back to Wales to play for Wrexham, Welshpool Town and Holyhead Town.