Brian Howard (English footballer)
English footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brian Richard William Brotherton Howard (born 23 January 1983) is an English footballer who last played as a midfielder for Whitehawk. He made more than 300 appearances in the Football League, and also played for Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia. Internationally, he represented England from under-16 to under-20 level.
|
In PFC CSKA Sofia colours, 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brian Richard William Brotherton Howard[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 23 January 1983[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Winchester, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2000 | Southampton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2003 | Southampton | 0 | (0) |
| 2003–2005 | Swindon Town | 70 | (9) |
| 2005–2009 | Barnsley | 121 | (27) |
| 2008–2009 | → Sheffield United (loan) | 15 | (1) |
| 2009 | Sheffield United | 15 | (1) |
| 2009–2012 | Reading | 59 | (2) |
| 2011 | → Millwall (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Portsmouth | 23 | (0) |
| 2013 | Bristol City | 6 | (0) |
| 2013 | CSKA Sofia | 11 | (0) |
| 2014 | Birmingham City | 5 | (1) |
| 2014 | Oxford United | 7 | (0) |
| 2015 | Eastleigh | 18 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Alresford Town | 15 | (4) |
| 2016–2017 | Romsey Town | 11 | (0) |
| 2017 | Whitehawk | 4 | (0) |
| Total | 392 | (45) | |
| International career | |||
| 1999–2000 | England U16 | 4 | (0) |
| 2000–2001 | England U17 | 4 | (0) |
| 2001 | England U19 | 1 | (0) |
| 2003 | England U20 | 7 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
Southampton
Howard started his career as a trainee with Eastleigh until moving to Premier League club Southampton in July 1999.[2] However, his progress at the club suffered a setback when he suffered injuries on two separate occasions in the 1999–00 season.[3] Despite this, Howard was seventeen years old when he signed his first professional contract with Southampton.[4]
In April 2001, Howard spent two months at Australian semi-professional soccer club Joondalup United alongside Gary McManus and played two matches before returning to his parent club, citing "the standard of football was not high enough".[5] At the end of the 2002–03 season, he was released by the club, without making a first-team appearance.[6][7]
Swindon Town
Howard trained with Chelsea,[8] who offered him a contract, but while he was away with the England under-20 team, the club was taken over by Roman Abramovich and several top players were signed. Howard chose to turn down Chelsea's offer, preferring the prospect of playing regularly in a lower division, and signed a one-year deal with Division Two (third-tier) club Swindon Town.[9][10][11]
He made his debut for the club, as well as the Football League, in a 3–2 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on 9 August 2003.[12] However, Howard initially found his playing time, coming from the substitute bench.[13] He scored his first Swindon Town goal on 1 October 2003, an 89th-minute equaliser against Luton Town, resulting in a 2–2 draw.[14][15] Two months later on 20 December 2003, Howard scored his second goal for the club, in a 2–0 win against Brentford.[16] As the season progressed, he soon earned his way to the starting eleven, playing in the midfield position.[17] In early–2004, Howard added two more goals for Swindon Town, adding his tally to scoring four goals in his first season at the club.[18] His performance led the club to offer him a two–year contract.[19] He helped Swindon Town finish fifth place to earn a place in the Division Two playoffs, but the club lost to Brighton & Hove Albion in the play-off semifinals.[20] In his first season at Swindon Town, Howard made forty–one appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.[14]
Howard's contract with Swindon Town was extended for a further year ahead of the 2004–05 season.[21] He scored his first goal of the season, which turned out to be a winning goal, in a 2–1 win against Milton Keynes Dons on 14 August 2004.[22] Two weeks later on 30 August 2004, he scored his second goal of the season, scoring from a header, in a 3–2 loss against Walsall.[23] Howard scored two goals in two matches between 27 October 2004 and 30 October 2004 against Sheffield Wednesday and Torquay United.[24] Since the start of the 2004–05 season, he began to be used in a more central role in midfield rather than on the wing, a change which pleased the player.[25] Howard also appeared in every matches for the club until he missed one match, due to picking up five yellow cards.[26] After serving a one match suspension, Howard scored on his return, in a 3–0 win against Brentford on 28 December 2004.[27] However by January, his form began to dipped and found himself out of the starting eleven for Swindon Town.[28][29] He also faced his own injury concerns, suffering a broken bone in his foot that saw him out for the rest of the 2004–05 season.[30] In his second season at the club, Howard made forty–two appearances and scoring six times in all competitions.[31]
However, Budget restrictions meant manager Andy King chose not to offer Howard a new contract;[32] he expressed his disappointment that a team with potential was being broken up because of finance.[33]
Barnsley
Howard had talks with AFC Bournemouth,[34] but signed a two-year contract with fellow League One club Barnsley instead.[35][29] He said about the move: "Even if Swindon had come back to me saying they had the money to match Barnsley's offer I don't think I would have stayed. I'm just not sure what the future would have held at the club."[36]
However, Howard missed the first two months of the season with a broken bone in the foot.[37][38] On 27 September 2005, he made his debut for the club, coming on as a 51st minute substitute, in a 3–0 loss against Bristol City.[39] Two weeks later on 15 October 2005, Howard scored his first Barnsley goal, scoring an equaliser in the 84th minute, in a 2–2 draw against Blackpool.[40] After this, Howard became an important member of the promotion-winning team alongside Stephen McPhail in midfield.[4][29][41] The pair played in all three play-off games, and Daniel Nardiello's equalising free kick, that took the final against Swansea City into extra time, resulted from a foul on Howard.[42]
In March 2007, Howard was one of three Barnsley players released without charge following arrest in connection with an alleged racially motivated assault.[43] He was named Barnsley's player of the year for the 2006–07 season, as the team successfully avoided relegation, and signed a new two-year contract.[44]
Having acted as captain of Barnsley during much of the 2007–08 season when Paul Reid was out of the team, manager Simon Davey appointed Howard captain on a permanent basis in January 2008. He said it was a "massive honour" to captain a top-half Championship team, and appreciated the trust Davey and the club had in him.[45] That season, Barnsley reached the semifinals of the FA Cup. In the fifth round, Howard scored a 93rd-minute winner to beat Liverpool 2–1 at Anfield.[46] Barnsley eliminated Chelsea in the next round to progress to the semi-final,[47] which they lost to Cardiff City.[48] Howard was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.[49]
After reported interest from clubs including Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Everton,[50] and Sheffield United, the club's owner, Patrick Cryne, suggested Howard was a better player than Sheffield United's Michael Tonge, and if Tonge were valued at £3 to £4 million, then Howard would be worth £10m.[51] United manager Kevin Blackwell denied any interest in signing Howard,[52] Davey confirmed no bid had been received from the club,[53] and Sky Sports quoted Howard as saying: "I feel I have given great service to this club, and I would like them to recognise that by doing one of two things – either give me the contract I am worth or sell me. And by that, I mean doing me the courtesy of selling me at a realistic price."[54]
Sheffield United
At the end of September, Howard was left out of Barnsley's squad ahead of an expected loan move to Sheffield United,[55] completed on 2 October. He signed on loan until January 2009, with an option to purchase at that time.[56] He made his debut a couple of days later, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 home victory over Bristol City.[57]
Howard played regularly in the Blades midfield from that point but had to wait until 9 December before he scored his first goal, netting the winner in a 1–0 away win over Nottingham Forest.[58] He joined United permanently on 7 January 2009.[59] He contributed to the club reaching the play-offs, and scored in the semi-final against Preston North End,[60] but was "largely anonymous" in the final as United lost 1–0 to Burnley.[61]
Reading
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Howard began the 2009–10 season in Sheffield United's starting eleven, but on 2 September 2009, he signed for Championship rivals Reading on a three-year contract for a fee of £500,000; James Harper went the other way on loan.[62]
He scored his first goal for the club on 20 October against Queens Park Rangers, a late consolation with Reading already 4–0 down.[63] During the match against Derby County on 28 November, Howard suffered mild concussion and a fractured jaw in a clash of heads. He was out for several weeks recovering from surgery to insert metal plates in his jaw.[64] In the FA Cup fifth round against West Bromwich Albion, Howard volleyed over the goalkeeper only to hit the crossbar before scoring a 94th-minute equaliser; Gylfi Sigurðsson's "brilliant curling winner" in extra time put Reading into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1927.[65] He stood in as captain for four matches towards the end of the season while Matt Mills served a suspension.[66]
Howard was sent off against Middlesbrough in September for a late tackle.[67] In mid-March 2011, he was linked with a move back to Southampton.[68][69] He remained at Reading, making 28 appearances over the season and contributed to their reaching the play-offs, but was an unused substitute in the semi-final second leg and the final, as Reading lost to Swansea City.[70][69] He then stated that if Reading were unable to give him regular football, he would prefer to leave.[71] Howard spent three months on loan at Championship club Millwall in the first half of the 2011–12 season.[72][73] He said he expected to leave Reading in the January transfer window,[74] but no move took place, and he was released when his contract expired in June 2012.[75]
Portsmouth
After a pre-season trial with Portsmouth,[76] who were rebuilding a squad after losing all their senior players because of the club's administration, Howard was one of ten players to sign a one-month contract on 16 August 2012.[77] He was named captain.[78] Howard scored his first goal in a Football League Trophy match at home to Bournemouth on 4 September,[79] but was relieved of penalty-taking duties in October after missing twice in a week.[80] In January, Howard was one of a number of players given a week's notice that their contracts would not be renewed,[81] and they duly left the club.[82]
Bristol City
On 15 February 2013, Howard signed a contract until the season's end with Bristol City, taking shirt number 11.[83] His first appearance was as a substitute in the Severnside derby against Cardiff City the next day, and he made a further five appearances, all as a substitute, before being released at the end of the season.[84]
CSKA Sofia
Howard signed a one-year contract with Bulgarian A Football Group club CSKA Sofia in August 2013.[85]
He made his debut for the club, coming on as a 70th minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw against Botev Plovdiv on 1 September 2013.[86] However, Howard had a difficult time settling in Bulgaria, revealing that he never received his salaries.[87] Howard played 13 games, 11 in the League,[88] before he returning to England during the mid-season break, having left CSKA Sofia in December 2013.[89]
Birmingham City
Howard joined yet another Championship club, Birmingham City, in January 2014 until the end of the season.[90] After making his debut in a 2–0 defeat at home to Yeovil Town,[91] Howard's first goal for Birmingham, a 48th-minute flicked header from Paul Caddis's cross, opened the scoring at home to Derby County on 1 February; the match finished 3–3.[92] He suffered a broken toe and ankle problems,[93] and after just three more appearances, he was released when his contract expired.[91][94]
Oxford United
Howard joined Oxford United on 15 September 2014. His contract ran until January 2015 with the option of extending until the end of the season.[95]
The next day, he made his debut for the club, starting a match and played 67 minutes before being substituted, and set up the opening goal of the game, in a 3–1 win against Accrington Stanley.[96] However, Howard played only infrequently, due to injuries.[97] As a result, he was released in December.[98]
Eastleigh
In January 2015, Howard signed for Conference Premier club Eastleigh until the end of the season.[99]
He made his debut for the club, coming on as a 62nd minute substitute, in a 2–0 loss against Altrincham two days later.[100] Since joining Eastleigh, Howard became a first team for the side, playing in the midfield position.[101] He helped the club qualify for the Football Conference play–offs, but Eastleigh lost 5–1 on aggregate in both legs against Grimsby Town.[102] At the end of the 2014–15 season, Howard made eighteen appearances in all competitions. Following this, he was released by the club.[103]
Later career
In September 2015, he joined Alresford Town,[104] and by the end of the season had played 18 matches and scored 6 goals in all competitions, with 4 goals from 15 matches in the Wessex League.[105]
He moved to Romsey Town for the start of the 2016–17 season[106] before switching in January 2017 to Brighton-based National League South club Whitehawk.[107] However after making four appearances for the club, Howard left Whitehawk a month later.[108]
International career
Howard played for England from under-16 to under-20 level.[109][110] While playing for the England U16 side, he "scored direct from a corner" against Argentina U16.[2] In November 2003, Howard chose to not represent the England U20 for the FIFA World Youth Championship in United Arab Emirates in favour of focus on Swindon Town.[111]
Howard, whose father is from Glasgow, was called up by Scotland manager George Burley for their friendly match against Croatia on 26 March 2008; however he was deemed ineligible by FIFA as he had not registered his availability at a young enough age.[112] Attempts to have the decision overturned proved fruitless.[113]
Career statistics
- As of match played 4 February 2017
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Swindon Town | 2003–04[14] | Second Division | 35 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 41 | 4 |
| 2004–05[31] | League One | 35 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 42 | 6 | |
| Total | 70 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 83 | 10 | ||
| Barnsley | 2005–06[38] | League One | 31 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | 38 | 5 |
| 2006–07[114] | Championship | 42 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 44 | 8 | ||
| 2007–08[115] | Championship | 41 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 47 | 14 | ||
| 2008–09[116] | Championship | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | ||
| Total | 121 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 137 | 28 | ||
| Sheffield United (loan) | 2008–09[116] | Championship | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | 15 | 1 | |||
| Sheffield United | 2008–09[116] | Championship | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 3[d] | 1 | 17 | 2 | |
| 2009–10[117] | Championship | 4 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| Total | 30 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 37 | 3 | ||
| Reading | 2009–10[117] | Championship | 34 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2010–11[70] | Championship | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2011–12[73] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Total | 59 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 69 | 3 | ||
| Millwall (loan) | 2011–12[73] | Championship | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| Portsmouth | 2012–13[79] | League One | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 1 | 26 | 1 |
| Bristol City | 2012–13[79] | Championship | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| CSKA Sofia | 2013–14[88] | A Group | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| Birmingham City | 2013–14[91] | Championship | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 1 | ||
| Oxford United | 2014–15[118] | League Two | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| Eastleigh | 2014–15[118] | Conference Premier | 18 | 0 | — | — | 2[e] | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| Alresford Town | 2015–16[119][120] | Wessex League Premier Division | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[f] | 2 | 18 | 6 | |
| Romsey Town | 2016–17[119][121] | Wessex League Division One | 11 | 0 | — | — | 1[g] | 1 | 12 | 1 | ||
| Whitehawk | 2016–17[88] | National League South | 4 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 392 | 45 | 27 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 5 | 450 | 53 | ||
- One appearance in Football League Trophy; two appearances in Second Division play-offs
- Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
- One appearance in Football League Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
- Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs
- Appearance(s) in Conference Premier play-offs
- Two appearances two goals in Wessex League Cup; one appearance in Aldershot Senior Cup
- Appearance(s) in Hampshire FA Russell-Cotes Benevolent Cup
Honours
Barnsley
Individual
- Barnsley Player of the Year: 2006–07[122]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08 Championship[49]
