Focus On…..Ian Howell

Series continues on players who have spent some of their careers as a player or manager in the Southern League.

Ian was a good, consistent defender who was on the books at Swindon Town as a youngster.

However, it is in both non-League football and especially in coaching that he went on to excel.

He played in the Southern League for several clubs, including Gloucester City, Cheltenham Town and Bashley but, after living under the shadow of his well-known brother – Ryder Cup golfer David – he obtained his dream job after being appointed to the coaching staff at Premier League giants Chelsea.

He now acts as Lead Development Phase coach for the under-13 to under-15 age groups at Stamford Bridge.

He also helped set up the New College Academy in Swindon.

Ian spent five-and-a-half-years with Swindon Supermarine as coach and assistant to Mark Collier before leaving in 2009 as his responsibilities with Chelsea were increasing.

Clubs played for:

Swindon Town, Trowbridge Town, Cheltenham Town, Gloucester City, Bashley, Cinderford Town, Weston-super-Mare, Hungerford Town, Swindon Supermarine

Best Game Played In?

Cheltenham Town versus Gloucester City derby games - played for both clubs and great crowds of 4,000 plus for these games.

Best 11 Played With:

1 - Martin Thomas (Cheltenham)

2 - Ray Baverstock (Trowbridge)

3 - Steve Benton (Cheltenham)

4 - Chris Banks (Cheltenham)

5 - Steve Fergusson (Gloucester)

6 - Lee Howells (Cheltenham)

7 - Stuart Slater (Weston-super-Mare)

8 - Dave Webb (Trowbridge & Gloucester)

9 - Jason Eaton (Cheltenham) pictured

10 - Jimmy Smith (Cheltenham)

11 - Chris Burns (Gloucester)

12 - Adi Mings (Gloucester)

13 - Mike Kilgour (Trowbridge & Weston-super-Mare)

14 - Paul Hunt (Weston-super-Mare)

15 - Dale Watkins (Gloucester)

16 - Roger Emms (Swindon Supermarine)

Best Captain?

Chris Banks - Cheltenham Town

Funniest Team-Mate/Manager?

John Freegard - Trowbridge Town - great banter!

Best Manager?

Lyndsey Parsons - Cheltenham Town (pictured)
John Murphy - Trowbridge Town / Gloucester City & Cindeford Town
Jimmy Case - Bashley

Best Mate in Football:

Dave Webb

Are You Still Involved in the Game?

See above – with Chelsea FC

Words of Advice?

Work hard, push yourself to play at the highest level possibly and play as long as you can.