Mark Howard (footballer, born September 1986) explained

Mark Howard
Fullname:Mark Stephen Howard[1]
Birth Date:21 September 1986
Birth Place:Southwark, England
Height:1.83m (06feet)[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Wrexham
Clubnumber:21
Youthyears1:–2005
Youthclubs1:Arsenal
Years1:2005–2006
Clubs1:Arsenal
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2005–2006
Clubs2:Falkirk (loan)
Caps2:8
Goals2:0
Years3:2006–2007
Clubs3:Cardiff City
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2007
Clubs4:Swansea City (loan)
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2007–2010
Clubs5:St Mirren
Caps5:46
Goals5:0
Years6:2010–2011
Clubs6:Aberdeen
Caps6:9
Goals6:0
Years7:2011–2012
Clubs7:Blackpool
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2012–2016
Clubs8:Sheffield United
Caps8:80
Goals8:0
Years9:2016–2018
Clubs9:Bolton Wanderers
Caps9:35
Goals9:0
Years10:2018–2020
Clubs10:Blackpool
Caps10:36
Goals10:0
Years11:2019
Clubs11:Salford City (loan)
Caps11:3
Goals11:0
Years12:2020–2021
Clubs12:Scunthorpe United
Caps12:34
Goals12:0
Years13:2021–2022
Clubs13:Carlisle United
Caps13:35
Goals13:0
Years14:2022–
Clubs14:Wrexham
Caps14:40
Goals14:0
Club-Update:00:46, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

Mark Stephen Howard (born 21 September 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Wrexham. He also runs a successful YouTube channel, the Yours, Mine, Away! podcast.[3]

Born in Southwark, London, Howard was part of Arsenal's youth team, but having failed to make the step up to the senior squad he departed for Cardiff City. He moved to Scotland, with spells at St Mirren and Aberdeen, before moving back to England to play for Blackpool, Sheffield United (for whom he holds the club's consecutive clean-sheet record of eight games) and Bolton Wanderers. He returned to Blackpool in 2018 and remained there for two years, during which he had a loan spell at Salford City. He has since had spells at Scunthorpe United, Carlisle United and Wrexham.

He's affectionately known by teammates and fans alike as "Chomp", a nickname he got from John Potter while playing for St Mirren F.C. when he sat next to another player nicknamed "Champ".[4]

Career

Early career

Howard started his career with Arsenal, but he never made an appearance for the first team, although he was an unused substitute during the 2005 FA Community Shield.[5] He was loaned to Scottish Premier League club Falkirk in January 2006, for whom he made eight appearances.[6] After his loan period ended in the summer, Howard was released by Arsenal.

Cardiff City

Following his release by the Gunners, Howard was offered a permanent contract with Falkirk, but he instead decided to join Cardiff City. He provided backup as a second-choice keeper that season to Neil Alexander.[7] He made his debut for The Bluebirds in a Football League Cup tie against Barnet.

After a month's loan with Swansea City, as cover in January 2007, he was released by Cardiff at the end of the 2006–07 season.

St Mirren

Howard joined Scottish side St Mirren[8] and made his debut on 13 February 2008, keeping a clean sheet against Dundee United in a Scottish Cup match. He then made his league debut three days later as St Mirren suffered a 4–0 defeat against Falkirk. Howard soon become first-choice goalkeeper, taking over from Chris Smith and his performances led to him signing a new two-year contract in April 2009.[9] The following season, however, Howard made only two appearances, after losing his first-choice status to new signing Paul Gallacher, and left the club after three seasons and 52 games.

Aberdeen

In July 2010, Howard signed a one-year deal with Aberdeen[10] and made his debut on 14 August 2010, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win over Hamilton Academical. As the season progressed, Howard slipped to second-choice behind Jamie Langfield and left the club when the season ended.[11]

Blackpool

Howard signed a five-month contract with Blackpool in September 2011 as cover after fitness concerns over Matt Gilks and Mark Halstead. He had to wait until Boxing Day later that year to make his full début for the club, in a 3–1 victory at Barnsley. He went on to make three more appearances, his performances prompting manager Ian Holloway to offer him an extension for the rest of the season,[12] but Howard failed to agree terms and left Bloomfield Road when his short-term deal expired.

Sheffield United

In February 2012, Howard joined Sheffield United on a free transfer, signing a -year contract after a successful two-week trial period,[13] arriving as cover for Steve Simonsen. He did not make a first-team appearance that season. When Simonsen was released the following summer, Howard made his United debut, against Shrewsbury Town on 18 August 2012, keeping a clean sheet in a single-goal victory. Howard remained first-choice keeper until he suffered a thigh injury in the eleventh minute at Matchroom Stadium against Leyton Orient in October 2012, an injury that kept him out of the side for twelve weeks.[14] Replaced by George Long, Howard was unable to regain his place in the team, despite having started the 2012–13 season as first-choice.[15] The following season initially saw Howard continue to play understudy to Long, making only a handful of appearances until he was recalled to the starting lineup by new manager Nigel Clough for an FA Cup tie against Fulham in February 2014.[16] Having kept a clean sheet in that fixture, Howard retained his place and was virtually ever-present until the end of the season, missing only one game. With his current deal set to expire, United opted to take up a one-year extension in May 2014.[17]

Bolton Wanderers

On 13 July 2016, Howard signed a two-year contract with Bolton Wanderers after leaving Sheffield United at the end of the previous season.[18] On 24 May 2018, Bolton confirmed that Howard would leave the club on 30 June, when his contract came to an end.[19]

Blackpool

Howard re-joined Blackpool following his release from Bolton. On 5 July 2018, he signed a two-year deal with the Tangerines.[20] He was released in June 2020.[21]

Salford City

Howard joined Salford City in a seven-day emergency loan on 22 October 2019.[22] The loan was renewed on 29 October.[23]

Scunthorpe United

On 22 October 2020, Howard joined League Two side Scunthorpe United on a deal until the end of the season.[24]

Carlisle United

Howard signed for Carlisle United on 14 October 2021.[25] Howard was released at the end of the 2021–22 season,[26] despite having won the Player of the Season award 12 hours before.[27]

Wrexham

Howard signed a one-year deal at Wrexham on 5 July 2022 following the expiry of his contract at Carlisle.[28] He's been part of the team during both promotions to EFL League Two in 2023 and to EFL League One in 2024.

Howard also represented Wrexham in The Soccer Tournament (TST) in 2023 and 2024, even scoring 2 goals in back-to-back games in 2024.[29] On 7 June 2024, Howard scored the game-winning goal in the TST Round of 32 game.

International career

Although Howard did not win any official caps for either England, or any of its youth teams, he did appear as a substitute in an unofficial England fixture in 2004, as part of a testimonial for former Arsenal defender Martin Keown. England lost 6–0.[30]

Personal life

Howard pursued a degree in journalism and media[31] [32] and achieved his BA from Staffordshire University in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting in November 2023.[33]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal2005–06Premier League0000000000
Falkirk (loan)2005–06Scottish Premier League80000080
Cardiff City2006–07Championship00001010
Swansea City (loan)2006–07League One0000000000
St Mirren2007–08Scottish Premier League1001000110
2008–09Scottish Premier League3403020390
2009–10Scottish Premier League20000020
Total4604020520
Aberdeen2010–11Scottish Premier League900020110
Blackpool2011–12Championship40100050
Sheffield United2011–12League One000000
2012–13League One110001000120
2013–14League One190401020260
2014–15League One350607020500
2015–16League One150001000160
Total800100100401040
Bolton Wanderers2016–17League One270100010290
2017–18Championship801010100
Total350201010390
Blackpool2018–19League One320304000390
2019–20League One4020002080
Total360504020470
Salford City (loan)2019–20League Two3000000030
Scunthorpe United2020–21League Two340100000350
Carlisle United2021–22League Two350200030400
Wrexham2022–23National League3306000390
2023–24League Two70102000100
Total400702000490
Career total33003202201003942

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

Wrexham

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Blackpool . English Football League . 6 . 18 October 2019.
  2. Web site: M. Howard: Summary . 1 July 2022 . Soccerway . Perform Group.
  3. Web site: Yours Mine Away Podcast . YouTube.
  4. Web site: EP 011: BIG JOHN GK! The Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast. www.youtube.com.
  5. Web site: In numbers: Mark Howard . 2023-06-22 . www.bwfc.co.uk . en-gb.
  6. Web site: 2020-08-09 . Mark Howard on Blades, Buddies, Gunners and the next move . 2023-06-22 . Not the Old Firm . en-GB.
  7. News: Howard picks Cardiff over Bairns. BBC Sport. 1 June 2006 . 1 June 2006.
  8. News: St Mirren sign up striker Dargo. BBC Sport. 28 June 2007. 28 June 2007.
  9. News: Howard agrees new Saints deal. Sky Sports. 6 April 2009. 17 May 2012.
  10. News: Aberdeen sign goalkeeper Mark Howard on one-year deal . BBC Sport. 13 July 2010. 13 July 2010.
  11. News: Dons trio to leave Pittodrie. Sky Sports. 27 April 2011. 17 May 2012.
  12. News: Holloway waits on Howard. Sky Sports. 30 January 2012. 17 May 2012.
  13. News: Howard joins Sheff Utd. Sheffield United F.C.. 20 February 2012. 20 February 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120221171639/http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2617424,00.html. 21 February 2012.
  14. News: Sheffield United goalkeeper Mark Howard sidelined with thigh injury. 15 October 2012. BBC Sport. 11 October 2012.
  15. Web site: Games played by Mark Howard in 2011/2012. Soccerbase. 9 February 2014.
  16. Web site: Howard to keep place. The Sheffield Star. 10 February 2014. 17 May 2014.
  17. News: Miller time over at Blades. Sky Sports News. 16 May 2014. 16 May 2014.
  18. Web site: Bolton Wanderers complete Mark Howard signing. Bolton Wanderers Official Webskite. 13 July 2016. 13 July 2016.
  19. News: Wanderers confirm departure of seven players . Bolton Wanderers Official Site . 24 May 2018 . 24 May 2018.
  20. News: Mark Howard Returns To Blackpool . Blackpool . 5 July 2018 . 20 July 2018.
  21. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/club-confirms-retained-list/ "Club Confirms Retained List"
  22. https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2019/october/howard-in-7-day-loan-move-to-salford/ "Howard In 7-Day Loan Move To Salford"
  23. Web site: Blackpool FC News.
  24. Web site: Mark Howard: Scunthorpe sign ex-Blackpool and Sheffield United goalkeeper. BBC. 22 October 2020. 26 October 2020.
  25. https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/former-blackpool-bolton-wanderers-and-sheffield-united-keeper-signs-for-carlisle-united-3419223 "Former Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United keeper signs for Carlisle United"
  26. Web site: RETAINED / RELEASED LIST 2022. www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 9 May 2022. 9 May 2022.
  27. Web site: AWARDS EVENING: All the runners and riders. www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 8 May 2022. 9 May 2022.
  28. Web site: SIGNED Wrexham complete signing of Mark Howard . 2022-07-05 . www.wrexhamafc.co.uk . en-gb.
  29. Web site: VIDEO: Lessons from Paul Mullin! Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard scores at TST as Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney continue to explore Arthur Okonkwo deal back home | Goal.com. 7 June 2024. www.goal.com.
  30. Web site: England Matches - Testimonial Club & Forces.
  31. Web site: Mark Howard: Wrexham Goalkeeper Exclusive. Goalkeeper.com.
  32. Web site: Wrexham's 'sensational' first encounter with their American fans at TST. Felipe Cardenas and Pablo. Maurer. The Athletic.
  33. Wrexham AFC 2023. Wrexham_AFC . 1724801009334325473 . 15 November 2023 . Congratulations to Mark Howard, who graduated from Staffordshire University yesterday with First Class Honours in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting . 15 November 2023.
  34. News: 22 April 2023 . Mullin the hero as Wrexham win to earn promotion . BBC Sport . 22 April 2023.
  35. Web site: END-OF-SEASON GALLERY | Relive the Red Dragons’ memorable season. www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.