Michael Howard (footballer, born 1999)

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

Michael Howard
Howard playing for Preston North End U18s in October 2017
Personal information
Full nameMichael Leslie Howard[1]
Date of birth (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 (age 24)
Place of birthSouthport, England
Position(s)Striker
Team information
Current team
Warrington Town
Youth career
2010–2017Preston North End
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2017–2019Preston North End0(0)
2018Cork City (loan)6(0)
2018–2019Hednesford Town (loan)19(12)
2019Stalybridge Celtic12(1)
2019–2020Morecambe3(1)
2020Marine (loan)3(1)
2020–2021Marine4(0)
2021-Skelmersdale United26(20)
2022-Warrington Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:59, 29 March 2021 (UTC)

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
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Preston North End2017–18EFL Championship0000001[a]010
Cork City (loan)2018League of Ireland Premier Division1000000010
Hednesford Town (Loan)2018Northern Premier League85211000116
Career total95211010136

References