Whatever happened to David Howells?
Before you ask ‘what are you talking about, David Howells is still going strong’ I’m not referring to the youngest chess Grandmaster in Britain, David Wei Liang Howell, who is of course still a tremendous athlete. I am actually referring to the ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder who racked up 277 appearances for the lilywhites between 1984 and 1998. Howells was part of the Tottenham side that won the F.A. Cup in 1991, and also helped Totttenham achieve 3rd place in the old Division 1 in the 1989/90 season, which Tottenham have not bettered since. Now 42, David ‘Houses’ Howells is still playing football, turning out for The Crown and Anchor Nomads every Sunday.
Howells began his career at Tottenham as a striker, and after joining the club in July 1984 as a YTS trainee. A regular scorer in the youth and reserve teams, Howells managed to make his debut in the Spurs first team 18 months after joining the club, scoring against Sheffield Wednesday on 22nd February 1986 at Hillsborough. However it was to be his only appearance of the season, and Howells did not feature regularly at Spurs until the 1987-88 season where his career at White Hart Lane began in earnest with 11 appearances.
Howells was eventually converted into a defensive midfielder at White Hart Lane, and his performances were characterised by hard work and pure graft. However, that is not to suggest Howells could not pass, as he was able of keeping the ball moving quickly, if not hit 30yard passes a la Hoddle. Howells was by no means a fans favourite at White Hart Lane, and was perhaps overshadowed by some of the clubs more illustrious playing staff. During his 12 years at the club, Howells played alongside Glen Hoddle, Ray Clemence, Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker, Teddy Sheringham and Jurgen Klinsmann. However, Howells would run himself into the ground for the shirt, so his more ‘talented teammates’ could play, and many older supporters will not forget his efforts for the club.
The highlight of Howells’ career would undoubtedly have been Tottenham’s FA Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest in 1991. Many that watched the game will remember that after Tottenham had lost Paul Gascoigne to injury and were trailing 1-0, Howells’ energy and enthusiasm in the middle of midfield compensated for Gascoigne’s brilliance, eventually helping Spurs to a famous 2-1 victory over Brian Clough’s side. My own personal recollection of David Howells comes later in the 1996/97 season. Tottenham lost 4-3 to West Ham at Upton Park in February 1997, with Howells scoring a penalty for Tottenham. Unknown to Spurs fans, Howells had lost his father the same day, but still turned out for the club. Howells’ wife Debbie also suffered serious illness throughout the latter stages of his career at White Hart Lane, and yet the midfielder carried on churning out performances for the Lilywhites, inspite of what must have been a difficult period in his private life.
Howells scored 22 goals, made 277 appearances, and won the F.A. Cup in his 14 years at the club. At his testimonial in August 1997, Tottenham lost 2-0 to Fiorentina at White Hart Lane, and it was a shame that only 14,605 attended (although I seem to recall there being some building work on the Paxton Road upper tier that may have affected the attendance). However, Howells played on for the remainder of the 1997/98 season, making 20 appearances. Howells left Tottenham in 1998, and played for Southampton (scoring against Arsenal for the Saints) and Bristol City before retiring due to a persistent knee injury.
Howells was Tottenham through and through, and played in some of the best Spurs sides we have seen over the last 30 or so years. Although his understated performances may have seen the midfielder overlooked for praise, he is still remembered fondly by supporters who frequented the Lane in the late 1980s and 1990s. Today, aside from playing Sunday League, Howells runs a string of soccer schools in eight countries across Europe and, still living in Surrey, supports Tottenham to this day.
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He was pants. “”30 yard passes a la Hoddle” – do me a favour – he couldn’t pass to a team mate 3 yards away let alone 30. How he made 277 appearances I’ll never know!
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The moment that sums up Howells career at Spurs would surely be on a cold night away to Oldham in I think 93/94 season. We needed to win to avoid relegation and won 2-0 with Howells scoring the second. Always gave 100% and makes players like Jenas look an embarassment wearing a Spurs shirt.
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ryan Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Totally agree vic, good comment. Stevenageyid doesnt have a clue
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Vic knows more about David than Stevenage Yid. He David could show a few youngsters of today what playing for his club meant – he gave more than 100% and never moaned and all this on a pittance against what Jenas probably takes home – maybe thats the problem with Jenas he doesn’t have to earn it!!
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I could give more than 100% – doesn’t make me a good footballer though!
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ryan Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
no it doesnt but to play in the top flight you also need quality and intelligence and to make that many apperances in any professional league never find the top, youve obviously got that
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I don’t remember the year, but I remember a game at Hillsborough where one minute Howells was heading the ball off the line, and the next he was up the other end scoring the winner from a corner. Good in the air, tough in the tackle and a Spurs man through and through.
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Wore his heart of his shirt! Agree he played under the shadows of Hoodle & Co, but he definitely could show some of the present team (JJ), what its all about playing for the team you love.
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Take exception to the “he was pants” he cared, was not the most talented player to try 100% and came out with decent result. He was never world class but neither was Perryman. We joke about him today and his level of skill but after the Ardiles adventure he was brought back into the starting line-up and added stablity to a team. I would have him any day over Jenas and some of the other players who sometimes turn up.
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Excellent article, could do with him today ahead of Jenas! Good memories there. SteveangeYid – what an idiot you are!
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Probably the most underrated player at Spurs in the 30 years I’ve been watching them. When he was in the team, we played, simple as.
Ben – wasnt it Forest we were playing, when he tracked back, somehow cleared a Clough Jnr effort off our line, and then burst forward from the breakout to score and steal us a 2-1 win? Always remember the commentater that night, “Its Howells!!! Oh my word, what a hero!!!..”
And the West Ham game – I think he was made captain as well that day. Saying he just scored a pen is seriously playing it down – he gave an unbelievable performance that day, akin to a Ledley King X Wilson P!
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I always liked Howells, and i’d have him in our current team. Very underrated player. I think you’ll find the goal against West Ham was not a penalty by the way
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