the season ended. Blackpool Howard signed a five-month contract with Blackpool in September 2011 as cover after fitness concerns over Matt Gilks and Mark Halstead. He had to wait until Boxing Day later that year to make his full début for the club, in a 3–1 victory at Barnsley. He went on to make three more appearances, his performances prompting manager Ian Holloway to offer him an extension for the rest of the season, but Howard failed to agree terms and left Bloomfield Road when his short-term deal expired. Sheffield United In February 2012, Howard joined Sheffield United on a free transfer, signing a -year contract after a successful two-week trial period, arriving as cover for Steve Simonsen. He did not make a first-team appearance that season. When Simonsen was released the following summer, Howard made his United debut, against Shrewsbury Town on 18 August 2012, keeping a clean sheet in a single-goal victory. Howard remained first-choice keeper until he suffered a thigh injury in the eleventh minute at Matchroom Stadium against Leyton Orient in October 2012, an injury that kept him out of the side for twelve weeks. Replaced by George Long, Howard was unable to regain his place in the team, despite having started the 2012–13 season as first-choice. The following season initially saw Howard continue to play understudy to Long, making only a handful of appearances until he was recalled to the starting lineup by new manager Nigel Clough for an FA Cup tie against Fulham in February 2014. Having kept a clean sheet in that fixture, Howard retained his place and was virtually ever-present until the end of the season, missing only one game. With his current deal set to expire, United opted to take up a one-year extension in May 2014. Bolton Wanderers On 13 July 2016, Howard signed a two-year contract with Bolton Wanderers after leaving Sheffield United at the end of the previous season. On 24 May 2018, Bolton confirmed that Howard would leave the club on 30 June, when his contract came to an end. Blackpool Howard re-joined Blackpool following his release from Bolton. On 5 July 2018, he signed a two-year deal with the Tangerines. He was released in June 2020. Salford City Howard joined Salford City in a seven-day emergency loan on 22 October 2019. The loan was renewed on 29 October. Scunthorpe United On 22 October 2020, Howard joined