Ron Howells Explained

Ron Howells
Fullname:Ronald Gilbert Howells
Birth Date:12 January 1927
Birth Place:Ponthenri, Wales
Death Date:[1]
Position:Goalkeeper
Years1:1946–1948
Years2:1948–1950
Years3:1950–1957
Years4:1957–1958
Years5:1958–1960
Years6:1960–19??
Clubs1:Swansea Town
Clubs2:Barry Town
Clubs3:Cardiff City
Clubs4:Worcester City
Clubs5:Chester
Clubs6:Barry Town
Caps1:9
Caps3:155
Caps5:80
Goals1:0
Goals3:0
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:1953
Nationalteam1:Wales
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0

Ronald Gilbert Howells (12 January 1927 – 29 December 2011) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was capped by Wales and played in The Football League for three clubs.[2]

Playing career

Howells began his playing career with Swansea Town, joining the club in September 1946. He overcame a broken wrist to make his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw with Walsall in February 1948.[3] He made nine appearances for the club during the 1947–48 season in the Football League Third Division South. However, he dropped out of The Football League and played for Barry Town before resurrecting his professional career with Cardiff City in July 1950.

Due to the presence of Iorwerth Hughes, he was forced to wait until 26 December 1951 to make his debut in a 3–0 win over his former club Swansea Town.[4] After winning promotion in his second season at Ninian Park, Howells was to spend five years playing in the First Division. This period also saw him win two caps for the Welsh national side in the 1954 World Cup qualifiers against England and Scotland.[5]

Howells dropped back into non-league football with Worcester City but revived his league career with Chester in September 1958. He was a regular in his two seasons at Sealand Road,[6] but was released at the end of 1959–60. Howells had continued to live in South Wales throughout his spell at Chester, who were reluctant to continue paying his expenses.[7]

This marked the end of his professional career and he joined Barry Town.[8]

After retirement

After retiring from football, Howells later became a painter and decorator in his hometown Ponthenry.[3]

Career Honours

Cardiff City

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Phillips . Terry . Cardiff City mourn death of ex-keeper Ron Howells - Cardiff City News - Cardiff City - Football . WalesOnline . 2009-08-11 . 2012-01-08.
  2. Web site: Ron Howells . Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database . 2010-04-04.
  3. Web site: Past players . Swansea City A.F.C. . 2010-04-04.
  4. Book: Hayes, Dean . The Who's Who of Cardiff City . Breedon Books . 2006 . 92 . Derby . 1-85983-462-0.
  5. Book: Hayes, Dean P. . Wales The Complete Who's Who of Footballers Since 1946 . Sutton Publishing Limited . 2004 . 0-7509-3700-9.
  6. Book: Chas Sumner . On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 . 1997. stats section . 1-874427-52-6.
  7. Book: Chas Sumner . On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 . 1997. 72 . 1-874427-52-6.
  8. Book: Chas Sumner . On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 . 1997. 139 . 1-874427-52-6.