Michael Howard (footballer, born 1999)

Michael Howard
Howard playing for Preston North End U18s in October 2017
Personal information
Full name Michael Leslie Howard[1]
Date of birth (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Southport, England
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Warrington Town
Youth career
2010–2017 Preston North End
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Preston North End 0 (0)
2018 → Cork City (loan) 6 (0)
2018–2019 → Hednesford Town (loan) 19 (12)
2019 → Stalybridge Celtic 12 (1)
2019–2020 Morecambe 3 (1)
2020 → Marine (loan) 3 (1)
2020–2021 Marine 4 (0)
2021- Skelmersdale United 26 (20)
2022- Warrington Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:59, 29 March 2021 (UTC)

Michael Leslie Howard (born 17 October 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Warrington Town.

Club career

Preston North End

Howard joined Preston North End at the age of 11 and progressed through the ranks up to the Under-18s.[2]

On 28 November 2017, he featured in a 2–1 defeat to Bury in the Lancashire Senior Cup quarter-final.[3]

In February 2018, Howard signed an 18-month professional contract with the option of a further year, and was immediately loaned out.[4]

Cork City

On 20 February 2018, League of Ireland Premier Division club Cork City announced the signing of Howard on loan for the remainder of the season. He said he was influenced to make the move by several teammates who had previously played for the club, most notably Daryl Horgan.[5]

On 24 February, Howard made his league debut as an 88th minute substitute for Kieran Sadlier in a 2–0 win against Waterford.[6]

He was released by Preston at the end of the 2018–19 season.[7]

Morecambe

Howard signed for EFL League Two club Morecambe on 28 May 2019. His first goal came against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy, just two games into his spell at the club.[8]

In February 2020 he joined Marine on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[9]

Howard was released at the end of the 2019–20 season.

In March 2022 he signed for Northern Premier League club Warrington Town on dual registration terms, having played a key role in Skelmersdale United's push for promotion in the North West Counties League Premier Division, firing 27 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions.[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 January 2018
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Preston North End 2017–18 EFL Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Cork City (loan) 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Hednesford Town (Loan) 2018 Northern Premier League 8 5 2 1 1 0 0 0 11 6
Career total 9 5 2 1 1 0 1 0 13 6
  1. ^ One appearance in the Lancashire Senior Cup.

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Morecambe" (PDF). English Football League. p. 46. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Michael Howard - Forward - U18s - Preston North End". www.pnefc.net. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Preston North End Howard Encouraged By First Team Chance". Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Preston North End Michael Howard Signs Professional Deal And Cork City Loan". Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Howard joins on loan – Cork City Football Club". www.corkcityfc.ie. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Cork City – Waterford – Cork City Football Club". www.corkcityfc.ie. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Preston North End: Championship club release six players at end of season". BBC Sport. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Howard Joins Shrimps". Morecambe F.C. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Marine sign Michael Howard". Marine FC. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  10. ^ Turner, Matt (24 March 2022). "Warrington Town add two players to their squad". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 29 March 2022.