Donald Howe (12 October 1935 – 23 December 2015) was an English football player, coach, manager and pundit. As a right back Howe featured for clubs West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal together with the England national football team in his playing career. He also went on to manage sides West Brom, Arsenal, Galatasaray, Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City. Howe was also a successful coach and has been described as one of the most influential figures of the English footballing game.

Playing career

Howe was born in the Springfield area of Wolverhampton in 1935 and spent his secondary education at St Peter's Collegiate School.

Howe joined the West Bromwich Albion ground staff after leaving school, joining the club as a youth player in December 1950. He turned professional in November 1952, but did not make his debut until 1955, against Everton. In all he played 379 league and cup games scoring 19 goals for WBA in twelve years.

Howe was signed by Billy Wright's Arsenal in 1964, and was made club captain. However, in March 1966 he broke his leg playing against Blackpool and only played two further first team games both in September 1966. Firstly against Manchester City in the League on the 10th and then on the 13th against Gillingham in the League Cup. Howe made 70 appearances for Arsenal altogether.

Coaching career

Howe retired from playing and became Arsenal's reserve team coach under Bertie Mee, then stepping up to first team coach after the departure of Dave Sexton in October 1967. Arsenal won the Double in 1971 with Howe playing a crucial role.

Howe then left Wimbledon to manage QPR between November 1989 and May 1991, with Gould briefly assisting him in the first half of the 1990–91 season.

Shortly after leaving QPR, he became assistant manager to Terry Butcher at Coventry City and became manager in January 1992 when Butcher was sacked. Howe secured a place in the new FA Premier League for Coventry, who missed relegation by one place, and just after the end of the 1991–92 season Gould rejoined him as joint manager of the Highfield Road club. However, Howe resigned as manager before the 1992–93 season began.

International career

thumb|300px|[[England national football team at Empire Stadium, London 11 April 1959. From the left, standing: Ronnie Clayton, Billy Wright (captain), Don Howe, Eddie Hopkinson, Ron Flowers, Graham Shaw, Joe Shaw; front row: Bryan Douglas, Peter Broadbent, Bobby Charlton, Johnny Haynes and Doug Holden]]

As a defender, he featured regularly in the England national football team. Howe played in the 1958 FIFA World Cup, and won 23 caps.

Death

Howe died, aged 80, in December 2015.

Honours

Player

Club

West Bromwich Albion

  • FA Cup: 1953-54
  • FA Charity Shield: 1954

England

  • British Home Championship: 1958, 1959, 1960
  • Inter Cities Fairs Cup: 1970
  • First Division: 1970–71
  • FA Cup: 1970–71

Wimbledon

  • FA Cup: 1987–88

Manager

Arsenal

  • FA Cup: 1978–79
  • FA Youth Cup: 2001

Individual

  • LMA Special Merit Award: 2004

References

  • England stats – https://www.englandstats.com/player.php?pid=762