While Perth Glory recruit Todd Howarth is technically a rookie, this being his first season in the Hyundai A-League, the 27 year old has a wealth of experience in his kit bag and is making the most of his opportunity at the top level.
While Perth Glory recruit Todd Howarth is technically a rookie, this being his first season in the Hyundai A-League, the 27 year old has a wealth of experience in his kit bag and is making the most of his opportunity at the top level.
Elevated to the starting line-up in the past fortnight, Howarth has used the added game time to continue to impress and notched his first goal of the campaign with a well taken strike against Gold Coast.
It appears there is plenty more to come from the composed left sided utility who is making every post a winner after thinking his chance to compete alongside the best in the country may never eventuate.
“I’d had a few trials with the Glory a few years before and that didn’t work out,” said Howarth from the club’s temporary base on the Gold Coast as they prepare for the second part of their sunshine swing against North Queensland in Townsville.
“I was always hoping they’d come knocking at my door again (but) I thought my chance had passed me by.
“I went overseas for a couple of years and had a bit of a break from football and then came back and got into it again. I just pretty much concentrated on the game and played state league.
“When the opportunity came up this time around I knew that it could be the last and I need to make the most of it and I have been really happy with everything so far.”
While it seems like a decision that would have been easy, there were still plenty of things to think over with the security of his job as a bank teller forgone to follow his football dream.
Howarth officially put pen to paper just hours before the club’s Round 1 clash with Adelaide and then was thrust into action as the side was reshuffled following Jamie Coyne-s first half injury.
“It was a bit of a risk but I could always go back to the bank, so I thought I may as well have a crack at it,” Howarth said of his decision to sign.
“The weeks leading up to it were a bit iffy, ’cause of the salary cap, we had some pretty good players coming into the team and they came in quite late so it wasn-t clear what the situation was going to be.
“In the meantime I was training and I used that to get up to speed and as I’ve got a few minutes under my belt and got a little bit more confident things are going well.”
It-s the same sentiment shared by Coach Dave Mitchell who is delighted with the progress of his new recruit.
“Toddy has been a quality player in WA for a long time and he has done well in stepping up to the next level. He worked hard to get up to speed with the training requirements and the pace of the games and I-m very comfortable with what he can offer the team,” Mitchell said.
“He has a great left foot, a nice touch and is composed on the ball. He is using those assets very well and making the most of the opportunities being presented to him.
“We offered Toddy the chance to join the squad and he hasn-t looked back since. He took a risk in giving up his day job so he could meet all the training and travel requirements but it has paid off and I-m happy for him and the team that he is doing so well.”
