Ron Howells
{{short description|Welsh footballer}}
{{for|people with a similar name|Ron Howell (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ron Howells
| image =
| fullname = Ronald Gilbert Howells
| height =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1927|1|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ponthenri, Wales
| death_date = {{death date and age|2011|12|29|1927|1|12|df=y}}{{cite web|last=Phillips |first=Terry |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city/cardiff-city-fc/2012/01/06/cardiff-city-mourn-death-of-ex-keeper-ron-howells-91466-30068618/ |title=Cardiff City mourn death of ex-keeper Ron Howells - Cardiff City News - Cardiff City - Football |publisher=WalesOnline |date=2009-08-11 |accessdate=2012-01-08}}
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Goalkeeper
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| 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
| caps2 =
| caps3 = 155
| caps4 =
| caps5 = 80
| caps6 =
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 =
| goals3 = 0
| goals4 =
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 =
| 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player1/ronhowells.html |title=Ron Howells |publisher=Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database |accessdate=2010-04-04}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/PastPlayers/0,,10354~1171087,00.html |title=Past players |publisher=Swansea City A.F.C. |accessdate=2010-04-04}} 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.{{Cite book | title = The Who's Who of Cardiff City | first = Dean | last = Hayes | publisher = Breedon Books | year = 2006 | page=92 | location=Derby | isbn= 1-85983-462-0}} 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.{{Cite book | title = Wales The Complete Who's Who of Footballers Since 1946 | first = Dean P. | last = Hayes | publisher = Sutton Publishing Limited | year = 2004 | isbn = 0-7509-3700-9}}
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,{{cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| pages= stats section |isbn=1-874427-52-6}} 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.{{cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| page= 72 |isbn=1-874427-52-6}}
This marked the end of his professional career and he joined Barry Town.{{cite book | author=Chas Sumner | title=On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997 | year=1997| page= 139 |isbn=1-874427-52-6}}
After retirement
Career Honours
Cardiff City
- Division Two runners-up: 1951–52
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howells, Ron}}
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Wales men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:English Football League players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Chester City F.C. players