Lee Howarth

Defence

Apps: 77 (5)

Goals: 2

Last Updated: 02 March 2022

Debut: vs. Hayes (H, 2-1), 17/08/1998

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Lee Howarth

Date of Birth: 03-01-1968

Place of Birth: Bolton

A summer 1998 signing, defender Lee Howarth quickly showed his quality and experience at the centre of Boro’s defensive line-up. The player came to Boro’ with extensive Football League game-time under his belt; most recently at Barnet, where he turned out more than 100 times before moving up the A1. For us, he became a rock at the back; helping to haul us through an unstable era at the club too.

In his time with us, he played under three managers: Paul Fairclough, Richard Hill and – if it counts – Steve Wignall. There was further change off the pitch too as Phil Wallace came in as chairman to replace Victor Green with the club’s future in some doubt. But that didn’t stop Howarth from doing what he could to bring about success on the pitch. And we had a glimpse or two with an FA Cup run that took us to Lincoln and our fine start to the 1999-00 season. By winning six out of six then, it looked as if Boro’ had sights on the title.

History shows us, however, that Dickie Hill’s luck ran out in a huge way early that season. Howarth himself said: “I suppose you could accuse us of coasting as a team at times. We took things for granted. But when the rub of the green went against us, we knew had our work cut out”. The defender’s importance of the cause was shown by his 43 appearances that campaign. But two years is all we’d get from him. With Wignall not sticking around, it saw Cloughie come back as manager in summer 2000. Howarth, however, moved on.

Lee Howarth: Before Boro’

In addition to his time at Barnet, Howarth had decent spells at both Peterborough United and Mansfield Town. At Posh, to be fair, he did spend a bit of time on loan; most times at clubs in the surrounding area, but also making it as far afield as Ireland’s St Pat’s Athletic. Posh also marked the first time the player had left the north-west area. A native of Bolton, he started out at Blackpool in the mid-1980s – but had to go back down the ladder to start out properly; Horwich RMI and Chorley giving him that platform.

Lee Howarth: After Boro’

Aged 30 when he joined us, Howarth still had much to offer after leaving us and Boston United – a former loan club of his during his Posh days – were first to take him on after leaving Broadhall Way. He spent just the one season at York Street, however; leaving a season before the Pilgrims claimed the Conference title. He moved to Kettering Town in 2001 for two years, before settling at Bedford Town in 2003.

Even as a 40-something, Howarth was still turning out for Bedford Town (either side of a spell at Deeping Town). It looks like it wasn’t ’til 2010 that the defender would eventually hang up his boots after a long and respectable career.

1999-00

Saturday 14 August 1999

Monday 16 August 1999

Saturday 21 August 1999

Tuesday 24 August 1999

Saturday 28 August 1999

Monday 30 August 1999

Saturday 11 September 1999

Saturday 18 September 1999

Saturday 25 September 1999

Saturday 02 October 1999

Saturday 09 October 1999

Saturday 16 October 1999

Tuesday 19 October 1999

Saturday 06 November 1999

Tuesday 09 November 1999

Sunday 14 November 1999

Saturday 27 November 1999

Monday 29 November 1999

Saturday 04 December 1999

Saturday 18 December 1999

Monday 27 December 1999

Monday 03 January 2000

Saturday 08 January 2000

Saturday 15 January 2000

Saturday 22 January 2000

Saturday 29 January 2000

Saturday 05 February 2000

Saturday 12 February 2000

Wednesday 16 February 2000

Saturday 19 February 2000

Monday 28 February 2000

Saturday 04 March 2000

Saturday 11 March 2000

Saturday 18 March 2000

Saturday 25 March 2000

Saturday 01 April 2000

Tuesday 04 April 2000

Saturday 08 April 2000

Saturday 22 April 2000

Monday 24 April 2000

Saturday 29 April 2000

Monday 01 May 2000

Saturday 06 May 2000

1998-9

Monday 17 August 1998

Saturday 22 August 1998

Tuesday 25 August 1998

Saturday 29 August 1998

Monday 31 August 1998

Saturday 05 September 1998

Tuesday 08 September 1998

Saturday 12 September 1998

Monday 14 September 1998

Saturday 19 September 1998

Saturday 26 September 1998

Monday 28 September 1998

Saturday 03 October 1998

Saturday 10 October 1998

Saturday 24 October 1998

Wednesday 04 November 1998

Saturday 07 November 1998

Saturday 14 November 1998

Saturday 05 December 1998

Saturday 26 December 1998

Monday 28 December 1998

Saturday 09 January 1999

Saturday 23 January 1999

Saturday 30 January 1999

Saturday 06 February 1999

Tuesday 16 February 1999

Saturday 06 March 1999

Tuesday 09 March 1999

Saturday 13 March 1999

Tuesday 16 March 1999

Saturday 20 March 1999

Friday 26 March 1999

Saturday 03 April 1999

Monday 05 April 1999

Saturday 10 April 1999

Monday 12 April 1999

Saturday 17 April 1999

Saturday 24 April 1999

Saturday 01 May 1999

Previous Clubs:

Barnet
Mansfield Town
Boston United (loan)
Kettering Town (loan)
St Patrick's Athletic (IRL) (loan)
Boston United (loan)
Boston Town (loan)
Peterborough United
Chorley
Horwich RMI
Blackpool

Later Clubs:

Boston United (2000)
Kettering Town (2001)
Bedford Town (2003)
Deeping Rangers (2007)
Bedford Town (2008)