For the latest in our ongoing series covering those who have achieved legendary status among the support, we feature another former Luton figure who became a fans favourite.
Following on from those already covered – John Moore, David Preece, Mal Donaghy, Brian Lewis, Bruce Rioch, Fred Jardine, Brian Horton, Kevin Nicholls, Tony Read, Steve Foster, Mike Keen, Ian Buxton, Lars Elstrup, Peter Anderson, Graham French, Alan West, David Moss, Terry Branston, John Aston, Paul Futcher, John Ryan, Syd Owen, Marvin Johnson, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Hatton, Steve Buckley,Chris Coyne, Ron Baynham, John Still, Jack Bannister, Ricky Hill, Chris Nicholl, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Don Givens, Gordon Turner, Brian Stein, Jesse Pye, Raddy Antic, Joe Payne, Max Dougan, Alan Slough, Ray Whittaker, Dave Pacey, Milija Aleksic, Ron Davies, Sandy Davie John O’Rourke, Les Sealey, Bob Morton, Wally Shanks, Gordon Riddick, Billy Bingham, Herbert Moody, Adrian Alston, Reg Pearce, Keith Allen, Jimmy Ryan, George Cummins, Rodney Fern, Harry Walden, Billy McDerment, Scott Oakes, Bert Mitchell, Kingsley Black, Mike Harrison, Matt Tees, Jimmy Husband, John Collins and Billy Waugh
For the latest in our ongoing and, hopefully, comprehensive series, we’re going to take a brief look at the career of Steve Howard, as nominated by Mad Hatter.
When it comes to buying a player, I reckon, apart from free transfers, you’d be hard-pressed to find somebody who proved to be as much of a bargain as Steve Howard.
Howard, who was on the books of Luton Town from 2001 until 2006 cost the Hatters only £50,000 when he was signed in March 2001 from Northampton Town. The deal that brought him to Kenilworth Road contained an additional clause which would have seen Luton Town have to pay an additional £25,000 if they managed to avoid relegation, sadly they did not.
During a five-year spell with the Hatters, Howard made 228 appearances (in all competitions) scoring 103 goals, not far off a goal every two games.
His signing paid instant dividends with Howard claiming the ‘Golden Boot’ with Steve scoring 24 goals as Luton Town claimed the runners-up position, in Division 3, securing promotion.
Howard’s goal scoring prowess was to continue with the striker netting 23 times in the 2002/2003 season, out-scoring another striker who will soon be covered in this series, Tony Thorpe.
The following season, with Luton Town deep in the mire over a takeoer saga, saw Howard remain loyal to the club and he was rewarded with 16 goals, even though his season was interupted by a hernia problem. Once again the tall striker was the Hatters top scorer.
His continued prowess, in front of goal, was to attract the attention of other clubs and ahead of the new season, a move to Sheffield Wednesday looked to be on the cards with a fee of £500,000 being touted around. But, after some skulduggery, Howard remained at Kenilworth Road and went on, in my opinion, to have his best season while on the books of Luton Town.
During the 2004/2005 season, Howard notched 18 goals, helping the Hatters secure promotion and in the process being named in the divisional PFA Team of the Year, a pretty decent achievement I’d say.
With the club on the up and playing Championship football, Howard put pen to a new deal, frustrating numerous other clubs keen to lure him away from Bedfordshire. During that season, in the Championship, an injury crisis saw Howard occupy one of the central defensive position with the club beset with an injury crisis.
Nevertheless, Howard still managed to score 15 times in 45 appearances that season, a fine achievement.
Interest from other clubs was still forthcoming with Leeds United, Cardiff City and Norwich City all, apparently, showing an interest in the player. However, in July 2006, Howard was sold with the striker moing to Derby County for a fee of £1,000,000 not a bad return for the original investment of £50,000.
Steve Howard – Mini Fact File
Name – Steven John Howard
Date of Birth – 10-May-1976
Place of Birth – Durham, England
Height – 6 feet 3 inches
Position – Striker
Youth Career – Tow Law Town
Playing Career – Hartlepool United, Northampton Town, Luton Town, Derby County, Leicester City (loan), Leicester City, Hartlepool United, Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
International Career – Scotland B
If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Steve Howard, please feel free to do so in the comment facility beneath this article.
If you can think of anyone who deserves nominating for coverage in this ongoing series, please drop their name into the comment facility beneath this article.
My thanks go to those who have already nominated faces from the past, they will all be covered, in time.
Next up in the series will be Robert Murray Hawkes as suggested by Dave Howard.
COYH’s
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton Town – Will He Or Won’t He Is The Big Question
I think the highest compliment I could pay Steve is that for us older supporters he was the second coming after supermac and a lot like him in his play enough said.
once in a blue moon do players like howard come along. very powerful player. always be a fans favourite.COYH.
Steve was the perfect gent. In 2005 a young ground staff member was getting married bit couldn’t afford a honeymoon, so Steve let them have his apartment in America for 2 weeks.
Great guy. Now based I the u.s. he runs a company that gives financial advise to young footballers. A true legend.
Please can I nominate Msrk Pembridge
Certainly Sir, noted.