Ian Howat

Ian Howat
Personal information
Full name Ian Stuart Howat
Date of birth 29 July 1958 (1958-07-29) (age 53)
Place of birth Wrexham, Wales
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position Striker
Youth career
1974–1976 Chester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1976–1982 Chester City 57 (10)
1982 Crewe Alexandra 17 (1)
1982–1985 Bangor City
c.1987–1988 Oswestry Town
c.1988 Bangor City
c.1988–1990 Caernarfon Town
c.1990–1991 Newtown
c.1991–1994 Holywell Town
1994–1995 Llansantffraid 6 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Ian Howat (born 29 July 1958, Wrexham) is a former Welsh professional footballer who played in The Football League for Chester City and Crewe Alexandra. He later appeared for several non-league clubs.

Contents

Playing career

A product of Chester’s youth policy, Howat made his Chester debut as a substitute in a Football League Third Division fixture against Mansfield Town on 16 October 1976.[1] Later in the season he scored twice during the club’s run to the FA Cup fifth round and netted the winner against Port Vale in the Debenhams Cup final at the end of the season.[2] In his time at the club, Howat had spells playing in attack alongside fellow forwards including Paul Crossley, Ian Edwards, Ian Mellor, Peter Henderson, Ian Rush and Trevor Phillips without establishing himself as a first-team regular.[3] He memorably found the target when Chester won 2–1 at Wrexham in April 1978, ending his hometown club’s unbeaten home league record.[4]

In February 1982 Howat moved to Crewe Alexandra, but left the club at the end of the season. This marked the end of his Football League career and Howat joined Bangor City in the Alliance Premier League. His spell with Bangor included an appearance at Wembley Stadium in May 1984 in the FA Trophy final against Northwich Victoria.[5]

A cartlidge operation the following season ruled Howat out of action for a couple of years,[6] but he subsequently returned to play for Welsh non-league sides Oswestry Town, Bangor City (second spell), Caernarfon Town, Newtown, Holywell Town and Llansantffraid. His achievements in later years included scoring 17 times in the first season of the League of Wales for Holywell.[7]

Honours

Chester City

Bangor City

External links

References

  1. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. pp. stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  2. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. pp. 92. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  3. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. pp. stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  4. ^ Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. pp. 93. ISBN 1-874427-52-6. 
  5. ^ ’Player Memories’, Chester City v. Rotherham United matchday programme; 7/12/1993; pg. 24
  6. ^ ’Player Memories’, Chester City v. Rotherham United matchday programme; 7/12/1993; pg. 24
  7. ^ "Welsh Premier career details". welsh-premier.com. http://www.welsh-premier.com/player_detail_solo.php?player_id=11013. Retrieved 2008-02-11.