Mark had so much success in three years at Wrexham AFC

Leader Live

4 days ago

Goalkeeper Howard left The Racecourse at the end of last season following three hugely successful years with the club and he has now made the move to ambitious League Two outfit Salford City.
On his career highlights, Howard told the Salford website: 'Obviously, to be the only goalkeeper - I'm going to say this - the only goalkeeper ever to go back-to-back-to-back, currently!'
Howard, now 38, joined Wrexham in 2022 and he would go on to make 50 league appearances for the club, the majority of them during the record-breaking National League-winning campaign during his first year at the club.
During that season, Howard made 39 appearances in all competitions and he stepped into the breach once more the following season after the retirement of former England international Ben Foster.
Injuries to Arthur Okonkwo and Callum Burton over the last two seasons have handed Howard a chance between the posts and he turned out 21 times in all competitions.
Reflecting on the journey from the National League to the Championship, Howard added: 'Obviously, it's a huge achievement. Obviously, my role changed slightly each year, but it was also about making sure that the club did well.
'So, obviously, that's a huge achievement.'
Another Phil Parkinson achievement is another highlight for Howard. He played under Parkinson at Bolton Wanderers when the club secured promotion from League One in 2016-17.
'The Bolton one was against all odds,' added Howard. 'It was almost with the financial implications of the club and where it had been was a difficult one, but a thoroughly enjoyable one and then I had a good spell at Sheffield United and, obviously, playing at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final is one of the highlights I think.
'Any child watching any level of football will always watch... an FA Cup game and think 'oh, that's the dream to get to Wembley'.'
Although now in his late-30s, there is no sign Howard's ready to slow down just yet.
'I think I've been a professional now for 20 years, so I've done something okay along the way and I've played a lot of games,' said Howard.
'Been on the bench for a lot of games. So, at the age I am now, I understand how my role will work as well.
'People will look at it and go 'yes, he's 38, he should be retiring soon'. But, I think I've been injured for three days in the last five years.
'My body's telling me to crack on and I still absolutely love kicking a ball and diving around like an idiot!'