Sydney Howarth (20 June 1923 – 1 November 2004) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward in the Football League for Aston Villa, Swansea Town and Walsall. He is probably best remembered for his two spells in non-League football with Merthyr Tyrdfil.

Syd Howarth
Personal information
Full name Sydney Howarth[1]
Date of birth (1923-06-28)28 June 1923
Place of birth Bristol, England
Date of death 1 November 2004(2004-11-01) (aged 81)[1]
Place of death Cardiff, Wales
Position(s) Centre forward, left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Barry Town
Aberaman Athletic
0000–1948 Merthyr Tydfil
1948–1950 Aston Villa 8 (2)
1950–1952 Swansea Town 40 (7)
1952–1953 Walsall 6 (0)
Merthyr Tydfil
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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A centre forward and occasional left half,[1][2] Tucker began his career with Welsh lower league clubs Barry Town and Aberaman Athletic.[3] He came to prominence as part of Merthyr Tydfil's 1947–48 Southern League-winning squad and transferred to First Division club Aston Villa for a £6500 fee in June 1948.[3][4] He appeared sparingly in League football for Aston Villa, Swansea Town and Walsall,[1][5] before returning to Merthyr Tydfil in 1953, with whom he won a second Southern League championship.[4] Tucker was posthumously inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2012.[4]

International career

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Howarth was picked to represent Wales, but was prevented from being capped by his father, as he had been born in Bristol, England.[2]

Personal life

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Tucker was the son of professional footballer Tommy Howarth and was born in Bristol, England.[2] He moved to Newport, Wales with his family 10 after his birth.[2] He joined the Royal Air Force at age 17 served in South Africa, Malta and Palestine during the Second World War.[4] He died in November 2004, after being admitted for treatment on a leg ulcer at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.[2]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa 1948–49[6] First Division 7 2 1 0 8 2
1949–50[6] First Division 1 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 8 2 1 0 9 2

Honours

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Merthyr Tydfil

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Syd Howarth". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Death of former Villa star Howarth". WalesOnline. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Syd Howarth, Villa Centre Forward, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1950–51". AVFC History. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Hall of Fame". Merthyr Town Football. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Players of the past". www.swanseacity.com. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Syd Howarth". 11v11. Retrieved 24 September 2023.