Bobby Howfield

Bobby Howfield
Personal information
Full name Robert Michael Howfield
Date of birth 3 December 1936 (1936-12-03) (age 75)
Place of birth Watford, England
Playing position Forward
Youth career
1957 Millwall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1959 Watford 47 (9)
1959 Crewe Alexandra 5 (0)
1959–1962 Aldershot 76 (44)
1962–1963 Watford 45 (13)
1963–1965 Fulham 26 (9)
1965 New Yorkers ? (?)
1965–1967 Aldershot 34 (10)
1967–1968 Chelmsford City ? (?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert Michael Howfield (born 3 December 1936), commonly known as Bobby Howfield, is an English former professional sportsman who played both association football and American football.[1]

Contents

Early and personal life

Howfield was born in Watford, and his son Ian Howfield kicked for the Houston Oilers in 1991.

Career

Association football

Howfield played as a forward, known for his volatility.[1] Howfield began his association football career with local side Bushey F.C., before signing amateur terms with Millwall in May 1957.[1] He became a professional with Watford in September 1957, playing for the club until July 1959, when he moved to Crewe Alexandra.[1] In October 1959, however, he moved to Aldershot, where his 23 league goals in the 1961–62 season were a club record for a number of years.[1] He played for the club until July 1962 when he returned to Watford for a "substantial fee".[1]

Howfield moved to Fulham in November 1965 for £6000, having made 101 appearances and scored 25 goals in his two spells with the club.[1] He scored three goals for Fulham in the last ten goal performance by a top-flight club.[1]

During 1965 Howfield went to play with the New Yorkers of the International Soccer League.[1] He returned to Aldershot in August 1965, playing for the Hampshire club until 1967,[1] before playing non-League football with Chelmsford City.[2]

American football

Bobby Howfield
Date of birth: 3 December 1936 (1936-12-03) (age 75)
Place of birth: Watford, England
Career information
Position(s): Placekicker
Organizations
 As player:
1968–1970
1971–1974
Denver Broncos
New York Jets
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Known for his powerful shooting,[1] Howfield returned to America to take up American football as a place kicker. Between 1968 and 1970 he played for the Denver Broncos, before moving to the New York Jets in 1971, playing for them until 1974.

Later life

After his retirement from sport he worked in the insurance department of a Denver bank, and he still lives close to the city.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. Surrey: T.G Jones. pp. 125. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1. 
  2. ^ Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database
  3. ^ Where are they now?, wfc.net