Player #413 for Aston Villa, Sydney Howarth known as Syd Howarth, an nicknamed 'Tucker', played as a centre corward for the club between 1948-49 and 1949-50 making 9 appearances and scoring twice.

Syd was born in Newport, Wales on 28 June 1923 and made his debut appearance for Villa on Saturday, 23 October 1948 at the age of 25.

Syd joined Villa from Southern League side Merthyr Tydfil on 16 June 1948, having played for Welsh sides Barry and Aberaman with footballing pedigree through his father Tom Howarth who appeared as a centre forward for Bristol City.

A clever and good worker of the ball, Syd was a forward of more than average ability who could play in all three inside positions.

Villa had signed Syd from for a fee of £6,500 in June 1948 which was the record transfer fee for a non-league player at the time.

Villa also travelled to Merthyr to play a friendly against the Southern League club as part of the deal. Syd’s deal to join Villa was allegedly signed at a pub in Merthyr owned by one of the club’s directors.

Syd made the bulk of his appearances and scored both his goals for Villa in his debut season of 1948-49 and added just one further appearance the following season, his last for the club on Saturday, 15 October 1949 before moving on to Swansea Town in September 1950.

Former Merthyr team-mate Dai Lloyd recalled:

“Everyone admired Syd, he was a very good player and he could have gone further.

“His shooting ability was something to be admired and he always inspired others.

“You very rarely saw Syd have a bad game and he was well worth the transfer fee - he was a damned good player.”

Syd made his final appearance for the club on Saturday, 15 October 1949 at the age of 26 before moving on to Swansea Town
in September 1950.

Syd had played under Alex Massie.

Syd passed away in Cardiff on 11 January 2004 aged 80.