Sydney Howarth (20 June 1923 – 1 November 2004) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward in the Football League for Aston Villa, Swansea Town and Walsall. He is probably best remembered for his two spells in non-League football with Merthyr Tyrdfil.
A centre forward and occasional left half,[1][2] Tucker began his career with Welsh lower league clubs Barry Town and Aberaman Athletic.[3] He came to prominence as part of Merthyr Tydfil's 1947–48 Southern League-winning squad and transferred to First Division club Aston Villa for a £6500 fee in June 1948.[3][4] He appeared sparingly in League football for Aston Villa, Swansea Town and Walsall,[1][5] before returning to Merthyr Tydfil in 1953, with whom he won a second Southern League championship.[4] Tucker was posthumously inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2012.[4]
Howarth was picked to represent Wales, but was prevented from being capped by his father, as he had been born in Bristol, England.[2]
Tucker was the son of professional footballer Tommy Howarth and was born in Bristol, England.[2] He moved to Newport, Wales with his family 10 after his birth.[2] He joined the Royal Air Force at age 17 served in South Africa, Malta and Palestine during the Second World War.[4] He died in November 2004, after being admitted for treatment on a leg ulcer at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.[2]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Aston Villa | 1948–49[6] | First Division | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 1949–50[6] | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||
