Brian Howard
In PFC CSKA Sofia colours, 2013
Personal information
Full name Brian Richard William Brotherton Howard[1]
Date of birth (1983-01-23) 23 January 1983[1]
Place of birth Winchester, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Position(s) 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)
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, correct as of 17:51, 13 January 2017 (UTC)

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.

Club career

Southampton and Swindon Town

Howard started his career as a trainee with Premier League club Southampton, but he was released in 2003 without making a first-team appearance. He trained with Chelsea,[2] 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.[3][4][5] Howard made his Football League debut on 9 August in a 3–2 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, and scored his first Swindon goal on 1 October, an 89th-minute equaliser against Luton Town.[6][7] In his first season, Howard scored four goals from 41 appearances in all competitions as Swindon lost to Brighton & Hove Albion in the play-off semifinals.[6]

Howard's contract was extended for a further year ahead of the 2004–05 season.[8] He was used in a more central role in midfield rather than on the wing, a change which pleased the player.[9] As Swindon finished in mid-table, Howard finished the season with six goals from 42 appearances, having missed the last three games of the season with a broken bone in his foot.[10][11] Budget restrictions meant manager Andy King chose not to offer Howard a new contract;[12] he expressed his disappointment that a team with potential was being broken up because of finance.[13]

Barnsley

Howard had talks with AFC Bournemouth,[14] but signed a two-year contract with fellow League One club Barnsley.[15] He missed the first two months of the season with a broken bone in the foot.[16][17] After this, Howard became an important member of the promotion-winning team alongside Stephen McPhail in midfield.[18] 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.[19]

In March 2007, Howard was one of three Barnsley players released without charge following arrest in connection with an alleged racially motivated assault.[20] 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.[21]

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.[22] 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.[23][24] Barnsley eliminated Chelsea in the next round to progress to the semifinal,[25] which they lost to Cardiff City.[26] Howard was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.[27]

After reported interest from clubs including Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Everton,[28] 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.[29] United manager Kevin Blackwell denied any interest in signing Howard,[30] Davey confirmed no bid had been received from the club,[31] 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."[32]

Sheffield United

At the end of September, Howard was left out of Barnsley's squad ahead of an expected loan move to Sheffield United,[33] completed on 2 October. He signed on loan until January 2009, with an option to purchase at that time.[34] He made his debut a couple of days later, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 home victory over Bristol City.[35]

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.[36] He joined United permanently on 7 January 2009.[37] He contributed to the club reaching the play-offs, and scored in the semifinal against Preston North End,[38] but was "largely anonymous" in the final as United lost 1–0 to Burnley.[39]

Reading

Young man with short brown hair wearing sports kit
Howard playing for Reading in 2010

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.[40][41]

He scored his first goal for the club on 20 October against Queens Park Rangers, a late consolation with Reading already 4–0 down.[42] 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.[43] 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.[44] He stood in as captain for four matches towards the end of the season while Matt Mills served a suspension.[45]

Howard was sent off against Middlesbrough in September for a late tackle.[46] In mid-March 2011, he was linked with a move back to Southampton.[47] 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 semifinal second leg and the final, as Reading lost to Swansea City.[48] He then stated that if Reading were unable to give him regular football, he would prefer to leave.[49] Howard spent three months on loan at Championship club Millwall in the first half of the 2011–12 season.[50][51] He said he expected to leave Reading in the January transfer window,[52] but no move took place, and he was released when his contract expired in June 2012.[53]

Portsmouth

After a pre-season trial with Portsmouth,[54] 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.[55] He was named captain.[56] Howard scored his first goal in a Football League Trophy match at home to Bournemouth on 4 September,[57] but was relieved of penalty-taking duties in October after missing twice in a week.[58] In January, Howard was one of a number of players given a week's notice that their contracts would not be renewed,[59] and they duly left the club.[60]

Bristol City

On 15 February 2013, Howard signed a contract until the season's end with Bristol City, taking shirt number 11.[61] 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.[62]

CSKA Sofia

Howard signed a one-year contract with Bulgarian A Football Group club CSKA Sofia in August 2013.[63] He played 13 games, 11 in the League,[64] before returning to England during the mid-season break.

Birmingham City

Howard joined yet another Championship club, Birmingham City, in January 2014 until the end of the season.[65] After making his debut in a 2–0 defeat at home to Yeovil Town,[66] 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.[67] He suffered a broken toe and ankle problems,[68][69] and after just three more appearances, he was released when his contract expired.[66][70]

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,[71] but played only infrequently and was released in December.[72]

Later career

In January 2015, Howard signed for Conference Premier club Eastleigh until the end of the season.[73] In September 2015, he joined Alresford Town,[74] 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.[75] He moved to Romsey Town for the start of the 2016–17 season[76] before switching in January 2017 to Brighton-based National League South club Whitehawk.[77]

International career

Howard played for England from under-16 to under-20 level.[78] 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.[79] Attempts to have the decision overturned proved fruitless.[80]

Career statistics

Howard playing for Oxford United in 2014
As of match played 4 February 2017
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Swindon Town 2003–04[6] Second Division 35410203[lower-alpha 1]0 414
2004–05[10] League One 35531202[lower-alpha 2]0 426
Total 709414050 8310
Barnsley 2005–06[17] League One 31530004[lower-alpha 3]0 385
2006–07[81] Championship 4282000— 448
2007–08[82] Championship41135110— 4714
2008–09[83] Championship710010— 81
Total 121271012040 13728
Sheffield United (loan) 2008–09[83] Championship 151——— 151
Sheffield United 2008–09[83] Championship 11130—3[lower-alpha 4]1 172
2009–10[84] Championship 40—10— 50
Total 302301031 373
Reading 2009–10[84] Championship 34251—— 393
2010–11[48] Championship 24010201[lower-alpha 4]0 280
2011–12[51] Championship 100010— 20
Total 592613010 693
Millwall (loan) 2011–12[51] Championship 120——— 120
Portsmouth 2012–13[57] League One 23010002[lower-alpha 2]1 261
Bristol City 2012–13[57] Championship 60——— 60
CSKA Sofia 2013–14[64] A Group 11020—— 130
Birmingham City 2013–14[66] Championship 5100—— 51
Oxford United 2014–15[85] League Two 7010——80
Eastleigh 2014–15[85] Conference Premier 180——2[lower-alpha 5] 0200
Alresford Town 2015–16[86][87] Wessex League Premier Division 15 4 0 0 — 3[lower-alpha 6] 2 18 6
Romsey Town 2016–17[88][89] Wessex League Division One 11 0 — — 1[lower-alpha 7] 1 12 1
Whitehawk 2016–17[64] National League South 4 0 — — 0 0 4 0
Career total 3924527310021545053
  1. ↑ One appearance in Football League Trophy; two appearances in Second Division play-offs
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ↑ One appearance in Football League Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
  4. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs
  5. ↑ Appearance(s) in Conference Premier play-offs
  6. ↑ Two appearances two goals in Wessex League Cup; one appearance in Aldershot Senior Cup
  7. ↑ Appearance(s) in Hampshire FA Russell-Cotes Benevolent Cup

Honours

Barnsley

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ↑ "Chelsea Reserves 0 Southampton Reserves 1". Chelsea F.C. 7 April 2003. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Herbert, Ian (8 March 2008). "Brian Howard: 'You score one at Liverpool and everyone knows you'". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Howard's Way". This is Swindon Town FC. Swindon Advertiser. 14 July 2003. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Swindon sign Howard". BBC Sport. 15 July 2003. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Swindon 2–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 1 October 2003. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Robins duo extend contracts". BBC Sport. 7 July 2004. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Howard relishing midfield role". BBC Sport. 12 November 2004. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "Swindon trio set to sit out games". BBC Sport. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Howard not offered Swindon deal". BBC Sport. 14 May 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Howard's regret over Swindon exit". BBC Sport. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Bournemouth confirm Howard talks". BBC Sport. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  15. ↑ Buckingham, Mark (2 June 2005). "Tykes tie up treble swoop". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  16. ↑ Livie, Alex (5 July 2005). "Howard blow for Tykes". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Sing-along-a-Barnsley! Howard ready to go down in history". The Yorkshire Post. 1 April 2008. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Vignes, Spencer (28 May 2006). "Colgan stop takes Barnsley up". The Observer. London. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  20. ↑ Adams, Tom (26 March 2007). "Tykes trio released by police". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  21. ↑ "Barnsley begin summer clear-out". BBC Sport. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "A very proud moment". Barnsley F.C. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011.
  23. ↑ Bevan, Chris (16 February 2008). "Liverpool 1–2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  24. ↑ Brooks, Gideon (2 January 2010). "Liverpool stunner a painkiller for Brian Howard". Daily Express. London. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  25. ↑ "Davey's shocker". The Football Association. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  26. ↑ Williams, Richard (7 April 2008). "Wheel of fortune turns for Cardiff as Odejayi fails to repeat heroics". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  27. 1 2 Drabble, Joe (27 April 2008). "PFA Championship Team of the Season". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  28. ↑ "Kidd: We're not in talks with Everton over Brian Howard". Yorkshire Evening Post. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  29. ↑ "£10m Howard is far better than Tonge". The Star. Sheffield. 21 May 2008. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Blackwell dismisses Howard move". BBC Sport. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  31. ↑ Collins, Ben (10 June 2008). "Davey – No Howard approach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  32. ↑ Pearson, James (1 June 2008). "Howard calls for realism". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "Blades in Howard link". Sky Sports. 28 September 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  34. ↑ "Blades sign Howard from Barnsley". BBC Sport. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  35. ↑ "Taste of things to come". Sheffield United F.C. 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008.
  36. ↑ "Nottm Forest 0–1 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  37. ↑ "Blades complete Howard transfer". BBC Sport. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  38. ↑ "Preston 1–1 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  39. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (25 May 2009). "Burnley 1–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  40. ↑ "Harper & Howard swap". BBC Sport. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  41. ↑ "Howard signs for Royals". Reading F.C. 3 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
  42. ↑ "LIVE – QPR v Reading". Reading Chronicle. 20 October 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  43. ↑ "Reading FC's Brian Howard to have metal plates inserted into his jaw". Reading Post. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  44. ↑ Rae, Richard (24 February 2010). "Reading joy after breaking drought tempered by red card at West Brom". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  45. ↑ "Brian Howard looking for revenge on Peterborough". Reading Post. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  46. ↑ "Howard suspended after Royals scrap appeal". Reading Chronicle. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  47. ↑ "Howard committed to Royals". Sky Sports. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  48. 1 2 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  49. ↑ "Howard: Play me or I'll leave Reading FC". Reading Post. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  50. ↑ "Millwall sign Reading midfielder Brian Howard on loan". BBC Sport. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  51. 1 2 3 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  52. ↑ "Howard set to leave Reading FC in January". Reading Post. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  53. ↑ O'Rourke, Pete (4 May 2012). "Royals ring the changes". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  54. ↑ Allen, Neil (16 July 2012). "McLeod set to be among eight Pompey triallists". The News. Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  55. ↑ "Portsmouth announce 10 new signings on short-term deals". BBC Sport. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  56. ↑ Cross, Jordan (18 August 2012). "Appy goes Howard's way as skipper". The News. Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  57. 1 2 3 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  58. ↑ Cross, Jordan (8 October 2012). "Pompey strikers to step up after skipper's spot of bother". The News. Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  59. ↑ Allen, Neil (7 January 2013). "Harley heads list as quartet leave". The News. Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  60. ↑ "Portsmouth confirm six players have left the club". BBC Sport. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  61. ↑ Baker, Adam (15 February 2013). "Exclusive: Howard pens City deal". Bristol City F.C. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  62. ↑ Baker, Adam (8 May 2013). "City announce retained list". Bristol City F.C. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  63. ↑ "The McNamara Interviews with Brian Howard". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  64. 1 2 3 "Brian Howard". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  65. ↑ "Howard homes in". Birmingham City F.C. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  66. 1 2 3 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  67. ↑ "Sky Bet Championship: Birmingham City come back to grab 3-3 draw with Derby". Sky Sports. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  68. ↑ Halford, Brian (27 February 2014). "Impressive Ibe giving Clark food for thought ahead of Ipswich clash". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  69. ↑ "Rusnak back for Blues". ESPN FC. PA Sport. 12 March 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  70. ↑ Walker, Andy (10 May 2014). "Paul Robinson and Olly Lee extend Blues stay as six depart". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  71. ↑ "Oxford United: Brian Howard signs for League Two side". BBC Sport. 15 September 2014. Archived from the original on 20 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  72. ↑ "Brian Howard: Oxford United release forward". BBC Sport. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  73. ↑ "Brian Howard: Eastleigh sign ex-Barnsley and Reading midfielder". BBC Sport. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  74. ↑ "Alresford may have to wait to see star signing Howard again". Herald Scotland. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  75. ↑ "Sydenhams Football League 2015/16 Premier Division: Alresford Town: Player season totals". The FA Full-time league websites. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  76. ↑ "Sydenhams Football League 2016/17 Division One: Romsey Town: Player season totals". The FA Full-time league websites. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  77. ↑ "Hawks sign experienced midfielder". Pitchero Non-League. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  78. ↑ "Brian Howard". The Football Association. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  79. ↑ Parrish, Rob (13 March 2008). "Burley – No way for Howard". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  80. ↑ "Och aye the no, for Sheffield United ace". The Star. Sheffield. 12 December 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  81. ↑ "Games played by Brian Howard in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  82. ↑ "Games played by Brian Howard in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  83. 1 2 3 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  84. 1 2 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  85. 1 2 "Games played by Brian Howard in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  86. ↑ "Brian Howard player stats | Wessex Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  87. ↑ "Alresford Town | Wessex Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  88. ↑ "Brian Howard player stats | Wessex Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  89. ↑ "Romsey Town | Wessex Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  90. ↑ "Barnsley Player of the Season". Barnsley FC. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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