# Matthew Howard (footballer)

Matthew James Howard (born 5 December 1970) is an English retired professional footballer who made one appearance in the Football League for Brentford as a right back. After his release in 1989, he dropped into non-League football and made over 100 appearances with both Boreham Wood and Hendon.

## Playing career
### Brentford

After beginning his career in the youth system at hometown club Watford, Driscoll joined the youth team at Third Division club Brentford in 1987. He made his professional debut on the final day of the 1987–88 season, when he came on as a half time substitute for Roger Stanislaus in a 2–1 defeat to York City at Griffin Park. He received a yellow card, as manager Steve Perryman had forgotten to inform the referee of the change. Howard failed to make a first team appearance during the 1988–89 season, but was a part of the youth team which reached the semi-finals of the 1988–89 FA Youth Cup. Howard departed Brentford in January 1990, having made just a single first team appearance.

### Non-League

After his release from Brentford, Howard had a long career in non-League football, playing for Isthmian League clubs St Albans City, Boreham Wood, Hayes, Chesham United, Hendon, Leyton, Hitchin Town, Leighton Town and Aylesbury United. He finished his career with Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division club Elliott Star, for whom he made 24 appearances in his final two seasons.

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Brentford | 1987–88 | Third Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| St Albans City | 1989–90 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
| St Albans City | 1990–91 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 37 | 1 |
| St Albans City | Total | Total | 59 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 0 | 90 | 1 |
| St Albans City | 1993–94 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| St Albans City | 1995–96 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 28 | 1 |
| St Albans City | Total | Total | 79 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 1 | 109 | 1 |
| Hendon | 1997–98 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 32 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 2 | 50 | 4 |
| Hendon | 1998–99 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 31 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 | 51 | 1 |
| Hendon | 1999–00 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 1 | 29 | 1 |
| Hendon | Total | Total | 86 | 2 | 10 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 4 | 130 | 6 |
| Elliott Star | 2004–05 | Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Elliott Star | 2005–06 | Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Elliott Star | Total | Total | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 188 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 5 | 264 | 8 |
* ↑ 6 appearances in Isthmian League Cup, 4 appearances in Herts Senior Cup, 1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Full Members Cup
* ↑ 2 appearances in Herts Senior Cup, 1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Cup, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Full Members Cup, 1 appearance in Herts Charity Cup, 1 appearance in Billy Minter Trophy
* ↑ 1 appearance in East Anglian Cup
* ↑ 4 appearances in East Anglian Cup, 2 appearances and 1 goal in Isthmian League Full Members Cup, 1 appearance in Herts Charity Cup, 1 appearance in Eastern Floodlight Cup
* ↑ 6 appearances in Isthmian League Full Members Cup, 2 appearances and 2 goals in Isthmian League Cup, 2 appearances in FA Trophy, 2 appearances in London Challenge Cup, 2 appearances in Middlesex Senior Cup
* ↑ 5 appearances and 1 goal in FA Trophy, 4 appearances in Middlesex Senior Cup, 2 appearances in Isthmian League Cup, 2 appearances in Isthmian League Full Members Cup, 1 appearance in London Challenge Cup
* ↑ 3 appearances and 1 goal in Middlesex Senior Cup, 1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Cup, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Full Members Cup
* ↑ 1 appearance in Herts Centenary Senior Trophy, 1 appearance in Aubrey Cup

## Honours

Hendon
* Isthmian League Full Members Cup: 1997–98