Rab Howell

The first gypsy to play for Liverpool and represent England. Rabbi "Rab" Howell was born in a Romany caravan in Wincobank, Sheffield. The 5ft. 5ins. (165cm.) half-back made his debut for Liverpool in their final first division fixture of the 1897/98 season. He arrived after featuring in 24 out of Sheffield United's 30 League games who had finished their League programme as champions before Howell's departure after being runners-up the previous year. Howell missed only four League games in his full debut season as the Reds finished second to champions Aston Villa. He was also a first-team regular for most of the last season of the nineteenth century but played just twice more for the first team after that, midway through the 1900/01 championship season, not surprising given he was 33 years of age. He was so described by his Sheffield United team-mate Ernest Needham: "A gypsy by birth, perhaps owes some of his inexhaustible vitality to his lucky parentage. Certain it is that no man is more untiring. In his right-hand position this light-weight player always excels. He rejoices at meeting the best of forward wings, and should the outside man indulge in dribbling he sticks to him like a leech. Many duels have I seen between him and Spiksley [of Sheffield Wednesday], and generally Howell has come off best. Unfortunately he is a little too fond of keeping the ball too long, and loses many opportunities."

Howell made his England debut as a Sheffield United player scoring in a 9-0 win over Ireland on 9 March 1895, but had to wait four years for his second and final international against Scotland, then on Liverpool's books. Liverpool played in a benefit for Howell against Preston North End on 30 September 1904. He had retired a year earlier after breaking his leg, playing at Preston. After finishing playing Howell remained living in Preston, eking out a living as a labourer and night watchman. In later years he was in poor health and went blind towards the end of 1936. He died on 21st July 1937 at the age of 69.