| Bobby Howlett | |
| Fullname: | Robert Victor Howlett[1] |
| Birth Date: | 1948 12, df=y |
| Birth Place: | West Ham, Essex, England |
| Position: | Defender |
| Youthclubs1: | Chelsea |
| Years1: | 1967–1969 |
| Caps1: | 6 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 1969–1970 |
| Caps2: | 16 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Totalcaps: | 22 |
| Totalgoals: | 0 |
Robert Victor Howlett (born 12 December 1948) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a defender for Southend United and Colchester United. He began his career at Chelsea where he failed to make a first-team appearance.
Born in West Ham, Essex, Howlett signed for Chelsea as a youth, prior to signing for Southend United. He failed to make an appearance at Chelsea, and played in just six league games for Southend between 1967 and 1969,[2] starting four league games and coming on as a substitute for the other two, also making one FA Cup start.[3]
Howlett signed for Essex rivals Colchester United in July 1969,[3] and made his debut on 9 August 1969 at Sincil Bank during a 3–3 draw with Lincoln City.[4] He made a further 15 league appearances for the U's.[5] On 18 April 1970, Howlett was to play his last professional game, after coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Ray Whittaker, he suffered a career-ending broken leg in a challenge with Peter Gelson in the 88th minute of a 2–0 away defeat to Brentford.[6] He was forced to retire on medical grounds after this injury.[1]