Howard: Gordon

1904-1906 (Leeds City Player Details)

Inside Forward

Born: Worsborough, Nr Barnsley: 11-09-1886

Debut: v Glossop (h): 23-12-1905

Height & Weight: Unknown

Howard started with Hoyland Town and joined Leeds City in June 1905. He was one of a number of players recruited by Leeds City in 1904-05 as they prepared for election to the Football League. He figuring frequently in the scoring stakes in that season. He scored his first goals for City, a hat trick, including a penalty, when they beat Altofts in the Leeds Hospital Cup on 12th November 1904 and a fortnight later netted four times when City thrashed Burton United 7-2 in a friendly. In the West Yorkshire League Fixtures he netted in a 2-2 draw at home to Oulton on 3rd December 1904. On 24th December 1904 he scored one goal in the 2-3 home defeat at the hands of Hull City in a friendly and on 21st January 1905 in a home friendly with Darlington he scored twice in a 3-1 win. Then in the West Yorkshire League he had further success as he opened the scoring in a 5-1 away win at Beeston Hill Parish Church on 18th March 1905. He had previously netted twice in the West Yorkshire Cup at Valley Parade against the Bradford City Reserves in a 2-3 defeat. He was also on target when the club entertained First Division Sheffield United on 18th February 1905. Howard scored the first Leeds equaliser in a 2-2 draw, though the Blades took the game none too seriously. He rounded off his Friendly goals with the Leeds first goal in a 2-5 home defeat. In the Leeds Mercury's report of 30th May 1905, regarding City's election to the League the previous day, Linesman described Howard as "a youth who operated with such marked success with the City last season". Howard's only appearance for City in official competition came on 23rd December 1905, when he played inside-right against Glossop. He was never considered a first team player but came in at Inside Right for Bob Watson as he took over the Outside Right spot when Fred Parnell was injured, in the game against Glossop on 23rd December 1905. Right winger Fred Parnell was out injured and regular inside-forward Bob Watson moved out wide to replace him, giving Howard his chance. City won 1-0 with a goal from Fred Hargraves. Howard was released at the end of the campaign and didn't play professionally again.