Bobby Howlett

Robert Victor Howlett (born 12 December 1948) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a defender for Southend United and Colchester United. He began his career at Chelsea where he failed to make a first-team appearance.

Bobby Howlett

Personal information
Full name	Robert Victor Howlett[1]
Date of birth	(1948-12-12) 12 December 1948 (age 76)[1]
Place of birth	West Ham, Essex, England[1]
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1967–1969	Southend United	6	(0)
1969–1970	Colchester United	16	(0)
Total		22	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Born in West Ham, Essex, Howlett signed for Chelsea as a youth, prior to signing for Southend United. He failed to make an appearance at Chelsea, and played in just six league games for Southend between 1967 and 1969,^[2] starting four league games and coming on as a substitute for the other two, also making one FA Cup start.^[3]

Howlett signed for Essex rivals Colchester United in July 1969,^[3] and made his debut on 9 August 1969 at Sincil Bank during a 3–3 draw with Lincoln City.^[4] He made a further 15 league appearances for the U's.^[5] On 18 April 1970, Howlett was to play his last professional game, after coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Ray Whittaker, he suffered a career-ending broken leg in a challenge with Peter Gelson in the 88th minute of a 2–0 away defeat to Brentford.^[6] He was forced to retire on medical grounds after this injury.^[1]