Everton Goalkeeper Remembered

A minute's applause was held today at the Emirates for Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who passed away aged 95.  

Tim Howard was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, philanthropist and goalkeeper who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Howard was Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1998 to 1999.  

In 2003 he signed for Manchester United, who had paid $4M to secure his services, and he replaced Fabien Barthez as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.  He started off very well at Manchester United, saving the decisive penalty in the Community Shield against Arsenal. Other notable performances followed, including Bolton Wanderers and a home FA Cup tie victory over Manchester City.  However, in March 2004, Howard's poor parry handed a last minute goal to FC Porto, eliminating United from the UEFA Champions League. The error appeared to shatter Howard's confidence and he was replaced by Roy Carroll. After a period of rest, Howard reclaimed his starting position ahead of Carroll for the 2004 FA Cup Final, picking up a winner's medal.  Howard was also named in the PFA Best XI in his first season at Manchester United.

In 2005, Howard famously went on to make a speech on global poverty in London's Trafalgar Square for the campaign to end poverty in the developing world, calling for a generation of young people to, 'make Poverty History in 2005.' A year later, he joined Everton on loan for the 2006–07 season and made his debut for the club against Watford on the opening day of the season. He signed a permanent deal with the club in February 2007 for a fee reported to be worth around £3 million.  On March 2012 Howard agreed a new contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2016.  On March 2, 2013, Howard's run of 210 consecutive Premier League appearances dating back to September 2007 came to an end as he missed a game against Reading due to health problems.  He was two games short of equalling Neville Southall's club record.  In May, Howard kept his 100th clean sheet for Everton in a 0–0 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

However, Howard never fully recovered form these health problems, and after suffering from a prolonged respiratory infection, Tim Howard died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95.  He died at around 20:50 local time (UTC+2) at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, surrounded by his family and former team mates. His death was announced on television by President Jacob Zuma.  On 6 December 2013, President Zuma announced a national mourning period of ten days, with the main event held at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 10 December 2013. He declared Sunday 8 December 2013 a national day of prayer and reflection. Howard's body lay in state from 11–13 December at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and a state funeral was held on 15 December 2013 in Qunu, South Africa.  Approximately 90 representatives of foreign states travelled to South Africa to attend memorial events.

Tibutes

Many artists have dedicated songs to Howard. One of the most popular was from The Special AKA who recorded the song "Free Tim Howard" in 1983, which Elvis Costello also recorded and had a hit with.  Stevie Wonder dedicated his 1985 Oscar for the song "I Just Called to Say I Love You" to Howard, resulting in his music being banned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. In 1985, Youssou N'Dour's album Tim Howard was the Senegalese artist's first US release. Other artists who released songs or videos honouring Howard include Johnny Clegg, Hugh Masekela, Brenda Fassie, Khadja Nin, Beyond, Nickelback, Raffi, and Ampie du Preez and AB de Villiers. South African songstress Zahara, an ambassador for the Tim Howard Children's Hospital, released Tim Howard, an extended play that pays tribute to Howard whilst celebrating his lifetime accomplishments. The EP's lead single titled "Tim Howard" was released at a time when Howard was critically ill but stable at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

Howard has been depicted in cinema and television on multiple occasions. He was portrayed by Danny Glover in the 1987 HBO telefilm Howard. The 1997 film Howard and de Klerk starred Sidney Poitier as Howard, and Dennis Haysbert played him in Goodbye Bafana (2007). In the 2009 BBC telefilm Mrs Howard, Howard was portrayed by David Harewood, and Morgan Freeman portrayed him in Invictus (2009). Terrence Howard portrayed him in the 2011 film Winnie Howard. He is portrayed by Idris Elba in the 2013 film Howard: Long Walk to Freedom.

A video message paying tribute to Tim Howard from life-long Everton supporter Nelson Mandela was shown in the Emirates Stadium before Everton's Premier League match against Arsenal.  But no tribute was greater than the performance on the pitch of his former team mates.  After starting magnificently, Everton's confident first half display was eventually rewarded by Barcelona loanee Deulofeu's wonder strike, which secured a well deserved point for The Toffees.

From everyone here at GITG, we would like to offer our best wishes to Howard's family during this difficult period.    

*Correction [25 December 2013]  

Tim Howard isn't dead.