On 2nd August 1997, Tottenham played Fiorentina, in a testimonial match for David Howells, who had made his debut for Spurs in 1986. He would complete 335 first-team appearances for the club by the time he left the Londoners, at the end of that season. Testimonials are a thank you ofyen given to long serving players. But that match against the Italians, also proved to be a welcoming occasion for two players who had arrived from Newcastle in the close season and who would become Spurs stars of the future. Playing in front of the White Hart Lane faithful for the first time as Spurs players were David Ginola and Les Ferdinand.
Following retirement, he was director of football at his local club, Guildford City, worked as an agent and coached at local schools. He also used to teach at Queen Eleanor's Junior school in Guildford. He subsequently coached sport, both football and cricket, at Charterhouse, the Independent School, in nearby Godalming and also coached at Farnham Heath End School.
Howells made his debut for Tottenham Hotspur as an 18-year-old in 1986, scoring in a 2–1 win against Sheffield Wednesday. He spent 12 more seasons at White Hart Lane, with 335 first-team appearances. He was on the winning side in the 1991 FA Cup FInal. Howells also played at Southampton, (scoring once against Arsenal), and Bristol City before retiring from the game in 2000 due to a persistent knee problem.
In his later career, David went on to run holiday resort-based soccer schools, was involved with Guildford City, as director of football and occasional player, appeared for Havant and Waterlooville, coached at Westfield FC in Surrey, and became a director of a sports' agency.
Howells has a younger brother, Gareth, who is also a professional footballer, playing in goal. As of 2010–11 season, Gareth is a player/coach at Eastleigh FC. Like his brother, Gareth was originally signed on youth terms at Tottenham, but never made the step up to play professionally for the club, and has spent almost his entire career at clubs outside of the Football League structure.
| Youth career | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1985 | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1985–1998 | Tottenham Hotspur | 277 | (22) |
| 1998–2000 | Southampton | 9 | (1) |
| 1999 | → Bristol City (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2001–2003 | Hartley Wintney | ||
| 2003–2004 | Havant & Waterlooville | ||
| 2004–2006 | Guildford City | 17 | (3) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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