Nick Howell departs Harleston Town after 8 seasons at the club, having played an impressive 144 games for the Magpies and managing the side 74 times, contributing with 46 goals. Nicky won the Mummery Cup, Sterry Cup, Thurlow Nunn First Divison Knockout Cup & Thurlow Nunn First Division Play-Off Final - a true club legend.

Nick joined Harleston Town from Dereham Town back in 2014, with the club having gained promotion to the Anglian Combination Premier Division the season before.

That season saw Town finishing in an impressive 3rd place, under the management of Craig Trudgill - Nicky contributed with 15 goals in 29 games.

The 2015/16 season saw Town bring in management duo Adam Gusterson & Olly Willis, team mates of Howell at Dereham Town. HTFC finished in 3rd place once again, with another 8 goals in 25 games for Nick Howell.

2016/17 saw Town pipped to the title, in the famous final day show down against Spixworth. Howell once again played a pivotal role, captaining the side and contributing with 9 goals across 27 games.

In the following season, Town's luck changed - Nicky's 5 goals in 20 games helped secure the league and cup double. The Mummery Cup was secured at the FDC with a 3-1 win over Sheringham FC, with goals from Roberts x2 & Cheese. Town secured the Sterry Cup 2 weeks prior with a title deciding win over Mulbarton, finishing the league campaign 3 point clear of Mulbarton.

The Sterry Cup win helped Harleston progress into the Thurlow Nunn First Division (North) for the 2018/19 season, finishing their debut step 6 season in second place - also securing the Thurlow Nunn First Division Knockout Cup with a 6-0 win over Holland FC. Nicky scored in the final, adding to his 26 games and 8 goals that campaign.

However, Town were demoted from the Thurlow Nunn League First Division back down to the Anglian Combination League due to ground grading issues, with management duo Adam Gusterson & Olly Willis departing for a new opportunity at Dereham Town.

Nicky took on the joint management position with fellow experienced player Nathan Stone, in a season which was curtailed by the coronavirus, still contributing with 1 goal across 15 appearances. Under the stewardship of Howell & Stone, Town won 18 of their 27 games - scoring 75 goals.

The 2020/21 season saw Stone return to a playing role, allowing Jon Abbott to assist Nicky in the management position. Town went unbeaten across the 9 league games played and gained promotion back to the Thurlow Nunn First Division on an average points per game basis, across 2 seasons.

This season draws an end to Nicky's time at Harleston, with the club achieving back to back promotions and their best ever league finish - promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, via the Play-Offs.

Town won 25 of their 32 games - including the 3-1 win over Downham Town in the Play-Off Final and progressed to the Norfolk senior cup quarter finals, eventually loosing to finalists Wroxham.

As a manager, Nicky achieved a 74.32% win ratio, with 74 games at the helm (W55, D6, L13 - F206, A81).

Speaking to Diss Express' Liam Apicella, Howell said: "I came here as a player, I was lucky enough to captain for a while and then stepped up to manager.

"I feel like I've done my bit. We've got the club up to as high as its ever been and so it's mission done for me.

"I feel like I've earned myself a little break. I've played Saturday football since I was six so that's 30 years. I want to have a little bit of time at home with the kids and the family.

"I've said to the chairman I'll always be about and do what I can to help the club if I'm needed, but I just need some time away to be with the family.

"It's tempting. It's a new league, the highest the club has been and next season there might be a hint of sadness that they're doing it without me but I need the break and I've promised the family."

Meanwhile, chairman Adam Mullin paid tribute to the departing Howell, saying: "Nicky is massive and just an amazing human being. He's a bit of a hero to me if I'm being brutally honest – he's been fantastic.

"When I took over as manager when Adam Gusterson left, I put Nick straight in the team because he's a fantastic footballer and he's turned out to be a fantastic manager.

"We're pleased for him on the one hand but pretty devastated that one of our own is leaving us.

"But he's just been amazing, unbelievable for us. His family are wonderful people as well and it's great they'll be spending a bit more time together now."

Nicky leaves the team in a fantastic position and as a club legend, who will always be welcome back at the club. A further statement will be released in due course regarding the vacant management position.

Player -
2014/15: 29 games/15 goals - 3rd Anglian Combination Premier Division
2015/16: 25 games/8 goals - 3rd Anglian Combination Premier Division
2016/17: 27 games/9 goals - 2nd Anglian Combination Premier Division
2017/18: 20 games/5 goals - Anglian Combination Premier Division Winners & Mummery Cup Winners
2018/19: 26 games/8 goals - 2nd Thurlow Nunn Div 1 North + First Division Knockout Cup Winners
2019/20: 15 games/1 goal - 3rd Anglian Combination Premier Division (23 league games)
2020/21: 1 game/0 goals - 1st Anglian Combination Premier Division (9 league games)
2021/22: 1 game/0 goals - 2nd Thurlow Nunn Div 1 North/Play-Off Final Winners

Total: 144 games/46 goals

Manager -
2019/20: Played 27 (W18, D1, L8 - F75, A39)
2020/21: Played 15 (W12, D1, L2 - F49, A17)
2021/22: Played 32 (W25, D4, L3 - F82, A25)

Total: Played 74 (W55, D6, L13 - F206, A81) Win% = 74.32%