Frankie Howard was born in 1931 in Acton, Middlesex. A pacy left winger who had been a sprinter in his youth, Frankie joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Guildford City in 1950.
By the mid-1950s, he had established himself in the team, partnering Denis Foreman on the left of the attack, and in the 1957-58 season, he missed only five matches as Albion were promoted to the Second Division. Knee ligaments torn nine months later forced his retirement. He had played 219 matches for the Seagulls scoring 31 goals.
He remained on the club staff as groundsman for nearly 30 years.