 Howard was born in Walkden and played youth football with Walkden Wednesday, before starting his professional career with Manchester City in 1912.He hit 12 goals in 16 First Division games in 1912–13, including all four in a 4–1 win over Liverpool at Hyde Road.He bagged 14 goals in 35 appearances in 1913–14, including a hat-trick against Derby County at the Baseball Ground.