Mark Howard (footballer, born September 1986)

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

Mark Howard

Howard in 2009 with St Mirren
Personal information
Full name	Mark Stephen Howard[1]
Date of birth	(1986-09-21) 21 September 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Southwark, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Wrexham
Number	21
Youth career
000–2005	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2006	Arsenal	0	(0)
2005–2006	→ Falkirk (loan)	8	(0)
2006–2007	Cardiff City	0	(0)
2007	→ Swansea City (loan)	0	(0)
2007–2010	St Mirren	46	(0)
2010–2011	Aberdeen	9	(0)
2011–2012	Blackpool	4	(0)
2012–2016	Sheffield United	80	(0)
2016–2018	Bolton Wanderers	35	(0)
2018–2020	Blackpool	36	(0)
2019	→ Salford City (loan)	3	(0)
2020–2021	Scunthorpe United	34	(0)
2021–2022	Carlisle United	35	(0)
2022–	Wrexham	42	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:52, 8 December 2024 (UTC)

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 acquired the nickname "Chomp" from John Potter while playing for St Mirren 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 club 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 2+1⁄2-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.^[14] 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.^[15] Replaced by George Long, Howard was unable to regain his place in the team, despite having started the 2012–13 season as first-choice.^[16] 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.^[17] Having kept a clean sheet in that fixture, Howard retained his place^[17] and was virtually ever-present until the end of the season, missing only one game.^[18] With his current deal set to expire, United opted to take up a one-year extension in May 2014.^[19]

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.^[20] On 24 May 2018, Bolton confirmed that Howard would leave the club on 30 June, when his contract came to an end.^[21]

Blackpool

Howard re-joined Blackpool following his release from Bolton. On 5 July 2018, he signed a two-year deal with the Tangerines.^[22] He was released in June 2020.^[23]

Salford City

Howard joined Salford City in a seven-day emergency loan on 22 October 2019.^[24] The loan was renewed on 29 October.^[25]

Scunthorpe United

On 22 October 2020, Howard joined League Two side Scunthorpe United on a deal until the end of the season.^[26]

Carlisle United

Howard signed for Carlisle United on 14 October 2021.^[27] Howard was released at the end of the 2021–22 season,^[28] despite having won the Player of the Season award 12 hours before.^[29][30]

Wrexham

Howard signed a one-year deal at Wrexham on 5 July 2022 following the expiry of his contract at Carlisle.^[31] 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.^[32] On 7 June 2024, Howard scored the game-winning goal in the TST Round of 32 game.

On 19 June 2024 he signed a one-year extension with the club.^[33]

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.^[34]

Personal life

Howard pursued a degree in journalism and media^[35][36] and achieved his BA from Staffordshire University in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting in November 2023.^[37]

Career statistics

As of match played 7 December 2024

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Arsenal	2005–06[38]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Falkirk (loan)	2005–06[38]	Scottish Premier League	8	0	0	0	0	0	—		8	0
Cardiff City	2006–07[39]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
Swansea City (loan)	2006–07[39]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
St Mirren	2007–08[40]	Scottish Premier League	10	0	1	0	0	0	—		11	0
	2008–09[41]	Scottish Premier League	34	0	3	0	2	0	—		39	0
	2009–10[42]	Scottish Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	Total		46	0	4	0	2	0	—		52	0
Aberdeen	2010–11[43]	Scottish Premier League	9	0	0	0	2	0	—		11	0
Blackpool	2011–12[44]	Championship	4	0	1	0	0	0	—		5	0
Sheffield United	2011–12[44]	League One	0	0	—		—		0	0	0	0
	2012–13[45]	League One	11	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
	2013–14[46]	League One	19	0	4	0	1	0	2[a]	0	26	0
	2014–15[47]	League One	35	0	6	0	7	0	2[b]	0	50	0
	2015–16[48]	League One	15	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	16	0
	Total		80	0	10	0	10	0	4	0	104	0
Bolton Wanderers	2016–17[49]	League One	27	0	1	0	0	0	1[c]	0	29	0
	2017–18[50]	Championship	8	0	1	0	1	0	—		10	0
	Total		35	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	39	0
Blackpool	2018–19[51]	League One	32	0	3	0	4	0	0	0	39	0
	2019–20[52]	League One	4	0	2	0	0	0	2[c]	0	8	0
	Total		36	0	5	0	4	0	2	0	47	0
Salford City (loan)	2019–20[52]	League Two	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Scunthorpe United	2020–21[53]	League Two	34	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	35	0
Carlisle United	2021–22[54]	League Two	35	0	2	0	0	0	3[c]	0	40	0
Wrexham	2022–23[55]	National League	33	0	6	0	—		0	0	39	0
	2023–24[56]	League Two	7	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	10	0
	2024–25[57]	League One	2	0	0	0	0	0	1[c]	0	3	0
	Total		42	0	7	0	2	0	1	0	52	0
Career total			332	0	32	0	22	0	11	0	397	0

1. Appearances in Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in League One play-offs
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

• EFL League One runner-up: 2016–17

Wrexham

• National League: 2022–23^[58]
• EFL League Two runner-up: 2023–24^[59]

Individual

• Carlisle United Player of the Year: 2021–22^[30]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Blackpool" (PDF). English Football League. p. 6. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
2. "M. Howard: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
3. "Yours Mine Away Podcast". YouTube.
4. "EP 011: BIG JOHN GK! The Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast" – via www.youtube.com.
5. "In numbers: Mark Howard". www.bwfc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
6. "Mark Howard on Blades, Buddies, Gunners and the next move". Not the Old Firm. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
7. "Howard picks Cardiff over Bairns". BBC Sport. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2006.
8. "St Mirren sign up striker Dargo". BBC Sport. 28 June 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
9. "Howard agrees new Saints deal". Sky Sports. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
10. "Aberdeen sign goalkeeper Mark Howard on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
11. "Dons trio to leave Pittodrie". Sky Sports. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
12. "Holloway waits on Howard". Sky Sports. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
13. "Howard joins Sheff Utd". Sheffield United F.C. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
14. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
15. "Sheffield United goalkeeper Mark Howard sidelined with thigh injury". BBC Sport. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
16. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
17. "Howard to keep place". The Sheffield Star. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
18. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
19. "Miller time over at Blades". Sky Sports News. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
20. "Bolton Wanderers complete Mark Howard signing". Bolton Wanderers Official Webskite. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
21. "Wanderers confirm departure of seven players". Bolton Wanderers Official Site. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
22. "Mark Howard Returns To Blackpool". Blackpool. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
23. "Club Confirms Retained List" - Blackpool F.C., 11 June 2020
24. "Howard In 7-Day Loan Move To Salford" - Blackpool F.C., 22 October 2019
25. "Blackpool FC News".
26. "Mark Howard: Scunthorpe sign ex-Blackpool and Sheffield United goalkeeper". BBC. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
27. "Former Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United keeper signs for Carlisle United" – Blackpool Gazette, 14 October 2021
28. "RETAINED / RELEASED LIST 2022". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
29. Mark Howard - When I got REPLACED as Wrexham's No1..., 6 July 2023, retrieved 7 July 2023
30. "AWARDS EVENING: All the runners and riders". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
31. "SIGNED | Wrexham complete signing of Mark Howard". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
32. "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". www.goal.com. 7 June 2024.
33. "Veteran keeper Howard signs new Wrexham deal". BBC Sport. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
34. "England Matches - Testimonial Club & Forces".
35. "Mark Howard: Wrexham Goalkeeper Exclusive". Goalkeeper.com.
36. Maurer, Felipe Cardenas and Pablo. "Wrexham's 'sensational' first encounter with their American fans at TST". The Athletic.
37. @Wrexham_AFC (15 November 2023). "Congratulations to Mark Howard, who graduated from Staffordshire University yesterday with First Class Honours in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 November 2023 – via Twitter.
38. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
39. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
40. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
41. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
42. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
43. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
44. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
45. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
46. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
47. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
48. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
49. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
50. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
51. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
52. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
53. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
54. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
55. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
56. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
57. "Games played by Mark Howard in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
58. "Mullin the hero as Wrexham win to earn promotion". BBC Sport. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
59. "END-OF-SEASON GALLERY | Relive the Red Dragons' memorable season". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.

External links

• Mark Howard at Soccerbase
• Sheffield United Official player profile