Howard made his debut for the club in 1982, winning the Lawson Rosebowl in 1983. Shared an unbroken 20 over partnership of 119 with Tony Davis against Kirkley in 1986 before leaving at the end of the season. In 2002 he returned from Clara Vale and remained in the 1XI until 2005. In the 2003 season he recorded the figures of 15-13-3-4 against Alnwick (despite defeat) figures which received mention in the league handbook for 2004 and won the Lawson Rosebowl for the performance.

In 2005 Howard played in the 2XI becoming the first player to take 5 wickets and score 50 runs in one match on more than one occasion for the side. The performance against Tynedale won the Bowyer Trophy for the season, making him only the third player to win both the 1XI and 2XI performance awards (Phil Ottaway and John Gardner).

Moved to play for Prudhoe in the 2007 season, played a couple of games in the 3XI in 2008 before returning as 2XI vice captain for the 2009 season. In his first 3XI match of the season took part in a 100 run partnership for the side with 104 against Percy Main, scoring 65. Moved up to open mid way through the 2XI season and recorded his first century for the Club with 108 against Backworth. 2010 saw Howard back in the 1XI and ended the season with the team record for wickets in a season with 41, 3rd in the league bowling averages.

Played just a single game in 2012 & 2013 before 'retiring completely' following a charity match at Ponteland where his final wicket was his son Dan who also plays for Ponteland. Following an appearance in a match while Brett Elliott was visiting from Australia Howard then made a comeback in August 2023 for the 2XI at Swalwell conceding just 9 runs in seven overs