Fred Howard (footballer, born 1893)

Frederick J. Howard (1893 – after 1924) was an English footballer. 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, Port Vale, and New Brighton.

Fred Howard
Personal information
Full name Howard in a Port Vale squad photo in 1923
Date of birth 1893[1]
Place of birth Walkden, England[1]
Height 5 ft 10+12 in (1.79 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre-forward
Youth career
Walkden Wednesday
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1912–1919 Manchester City 79 (40)
Mid Rhondda
Pontypridd
Dundee Hibernian
Ayr United (trial)
Clyde
1923–1924 Port Vale 12 (2)
1924 New Brighton 10 (4)
1924 Wrexham 1 (0)
Welshpool Town
Holyhead Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Howard was born in Walkden and played youth football with Walkden Wednesday before starting his professional career with Manchester City in 1912. He hit 12 goals in 16 First Division games in 1912–13, including all four in a 4–1 win over Liverpool at Hyde Road. He bagged 14 goals in 35 appearances in 1913–14, including a hat-trick against Derby County at the Baseball Ground. He scored 18 goals in 36 games in 1914–15 to become the club's top scorer. He scored a total of 40 goals in 79 league games.[3] This total probably would have been much higher if it were not for World War I. He did remain in Manchester for part of the 1915–16 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 Port Vale.[1] He played 12 games in the 1923–24 season and scored two goals in a 4–3 defeat to Crystal Palace at The Old Recreation Ground on 1 September.[1] 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.[1] He later moved back to Wales to play for Wrexham, Welshpool Town and Holyhead Town.

Career statistics

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Source:[4]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 1912–13 First Division 16 11 1 0 0 0 17 11
1913–14 First Division 29 11 6 3 0 0 35 14
1914–15 First Division 33 18 3 0 0 0 36 18
1919–20 First Division 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Total 79 40 11 3 0 0 90 43
Port Vale 1923–24 Second Division 12 2 0 0 0 0 12 2
New Brighton 1923–24 Third Division North 10 4 0 0 0 0 10 4
Wrexham 1924–25 Third Division North 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 143. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ "The lure of promotion. Port Vale". Athletic News. Manchester. 13 August 1923. p. 6.
  3. ^ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Tony Brown. p. 130. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  4. ^ Fred Howard at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)