Howard joined the Swans from Tranmere where he failed to impress boss John Aldridge after an intial trial period. After signing a new contract that keeps him here until 2003 Michael has steadily made the left back position all his own.

Howard is an aggresive hot headed left back but always gives 100% but has a tendancy to get booked a little too often

• 1999/2000 A key part of the dynamic defence that won the Championship, often over looked as the big reason why the team suceeded that year but only 1 right winger was able to beat him on a regular occurance.
• 2000/2001 Howard has been moved around a lot as Hollins tries to work out a new stratergy being switched from left back to left Central defender as part of a 3-5-2 foramtion. Howard was the only consistant part of the equation of the defence as the rest folded under injuries.