Playing Career
Howe began his professional career at Bournemouth, after playing for local youth teams Rossgarth and Parley Sports. He soon established himself as an important player. His performances earned him many admirers and he was selected for the Football League side that played their Italian counterparts in a special friendly, as well as being capped for the England Under-21 team in the Toulon Tournament in 1998.
In March 2002, Portsmouth signed Howe for £400,000, making him new manager Harry Redknapp's first signing. He had played 237 games for Bournemouth. Howe began well at Portsmouth, but shortly after signing a knee injury on his debut against Preston North End ended his season.
He returned for the opening game of the 2002-03 season against Nottingham Forest, but he injured his knee again after only nine minutes and was ruled out for the entire campaign. He did not return to full fitness until January 2004 after 18 months out. He was loaned to Swindon Town on transfer deadline day in March, although he did not feature for the club.
Portsmouth loaned Howe back to Bournemouth for the first three months of the 2004-05. He proved to be successful on his return to his first club and in November 2004 Bournemouth re-signed him permanently on a free transfer, after chairman Peter Phillips made an appeal over the Internet for fans to pledge money to buy Howe. Such was Howe's popularity at Dean Court, the club received pledges of £13,500 in less than two days.
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