Jake Howells
Encyclopedia
Jake Thomas Howells is an English
-born Welsh
footballer who plays for Luton Town
.
, and represented his town at youth level. Howells spent a spell on the books at Watford
before signing for rivals Luton Town
.
, having turned 17 just three weeks earlier. Soon after, Howells revealed that he had turned down offers to join Premier League clubs Portsmouth
and Fulham
while in the youth team, but had chosen instead to further his career at Luton.
Howells became a regular in the first team during 2008–09, making his first appearance in a 1–1 draw with Bradford City
in October. He played a total of 28 league games over the year, being used primarily at left back
and occasionally on the left wing. With the exception of the final, Howells played in every game of Luton's Football League Trophy
success, receiving a winner's medal at Wembley Stadium
. Howells won the club's Young Player of the Year award following his impressive season, and signed his first professional contract with Luton soon after.
Howells scored his first senior goal the next season, in a 4–3 win against Cambridge United
on 26 September 2009. Following the departure of Mick Harford
and the subsequent arrival of new Luton manager Richard Money, Howells was pushed forward from his regular left back position onto the left wing, scoring five further goals in the process, including two in a 6–3 victory over Histon
. On 25 April 2010, Howells was named as Luton's Young Player of the Year for the second successive season.
On 25 November 2010, it was announced that Howells had signed a new two-year contract with Luton. With an injury to regular left-back Fred Murray
in December 2010, Howells reverted back to his original position in defence, helping Luton keep six clean sheets in a row throughout January 2011. After another solid season in a number of positions, including central midfield, Howells again received the Young Player of the Year award, and in doing so became the first player to win the title three seasons in a row.
by birth, and also qualifies for Wales
through one of his grandfathers. Wales enquired about picking Howells for their under-21 team
towards the end of the 2008–09
season, but on 30 October 2009 Howells was named in the England C squad for the match against the Poland under-23
team on 17 November. He earned his first cap in a 2–1 victory over the Poles. Howells scored his first goal for England C in a 1–0 victory over Estonia Under-23's
in the International Challenge Trophy on 12 October 2010.
In August 2011, Howells agreed to play for Wales under-21; he is eligible to do so due to the England C team being classified as semi-professional. He made his debut for Wales U21 in a 1–2 loss to Hungary U21
on 10 August 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
footballer who plays for Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
.
Youth career
Howells was born in Hemel HempsteadHemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
, and represented his town at youth level. Howells spent a spell on the books at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
before signing for rivals Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
.
Club career
Howells made his first team debut as a substitute on the last day of the 2007–08 season in a 1–0 defeat to Huddersfield TownHuddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, having turned 17 just three weeks earlier. Soon after, Howells revealed that he had turned down offers to join Premier League clubs Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
and Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
while in the youth team, but had chosen instead to further his career at Luton.
Howells became a regular in the first team during 2008–09, making his first appearance in a 1–1 draw with Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in October. He played a total of 28 league games over the year, being used primarily at left back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and occasionally on the left wing. With the exception of the final, Howells played in every game of Luton's Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy 2008–09
The Football League Trophy 2008–09, known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2008–09 for sponsorship reasons, is the 25th Football League Trophy, a knockout competition for English football clubs in Leagues One and Two, the third and fourth tiers of English football. Luton Town won the...
success, receiving a winner's medal at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. Howells won the club's Young Player of the Year award following his impressive season, and signed his first professional contract with Luton soon after.
Howells scored his first senior goal the next season, in a 4–3 win against Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
on 26 September 2009. Following the departure of Mick Harford
Mick Harford
Michael Gordon "Mick" Harford , is an English former football player turned manager. He is former manager of Rotherham and Luton Town and has also been caretaker manager of Nottingham Forest and QPR...
and the subsequent arrival of new Luton manager Richard Money, Howells was pushed forward from his regular left back position onto the left wing, scoring five further goals in the process, including two in a 6–3 victory over Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
. On 25 April 2010, Howells was named as Luton's Young Player of the Year for the second successive season.
On 25 November 2010, it was announced that Howells had signed a new two-year contract with Luton. With an injury to regular left-back Fred Murray
Fred Murray
Frederick Anthony "Fred" Murray is an Irish footballer currently playing for Luton Town.-Career:...
in December 2010, Howells reverted back to his original position in defence, helping Luton keep six clean sheets in a row throughout January 2011. After another solid season in a number of positions, including central midfield, Howells again received the Young Player of the Year award, and in doing so became the first player to win the title three seasons in a row.
International career
Howells is eligible for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
by birth, and also qualifies for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
through one of his grandfathers. Wales enquired about picking Howells for their under-21 team
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
towards the end of the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season, but on 30 October 2009 Howells was named in the England C squad for the match against the Poland under-23
Poland national under-23 football team
The Poland national under-23 football team or Poland Olympic football team is the national under-23 football team of Poland and is controlled by the Polish Football Association.- Olympic Record :...
team on 17 November. He earned his first cap in a 2–1 victory over the Poles. Howells scored his first goal for England C in a 1–0 victory over Estonia Under-23's
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in the International Challenge Trophy on 12 October 2010.
In August 2011, Howells agreed to play for Wales under-21; he is eligible to do so due to the England C team being classified as semi-professional. He made his debut for Wales U21 in a 1–2 loss to Hungary U21
Hungary national under-21 football team
The Hungary national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Hungary and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Hungarian Under-21 team was formed...
on 10 August 2011.
Honours
Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
(1): 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while... - Young Player of the Year award(3): 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
, 2009–102009–10 in English footballThe 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
, 2010–112010–11 in English footballThe 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...