Teddy, this is your second season at Weymouth. What was it like when you first came to the club? How have you enjoyed your time here since?
I knew Bobby from Reading and he gave me a call when he signed. I knew right after speaking to him that I wanted to come and show, not just Bobby but the fans, what I can do for the team. I was low on confidence before I came, but he’s got the best out of me. I’ve loved every minute of it.
The lads have told us about Bobby, and how driven he is. How does it feel to have a manager like him by your side?
He’s always messaging and calling us. He uses every bit of push within himself to motivate the team going into training and matchday. He’s certainly given us a boost with the way he is as a person.
This season has had its ups and downs, we’ve drawn 14 games, but, like he says in his interviews, if we change a few of those into wins we’ll be right up there by the end of the season.
Speaking of that desire to win, Malachi Linton said that everyone in the dressing room is pulling in that type of direction. Is this something you have noticed?
The environment at the moment is very good. When we lose, it hurts. Every player plays a part in the team when we pick up points. We all work for each other, and there’s no individuals. I think that’s the kind of team Bobby wants.
What stands out about Weymouth compared to the other clubs you’ve played for?
The direction where we’re going is better than most National League South clubs. We have a pre-match meal, we talk tactics and we watch video analysis. Even though we’re part-time, the environment feels really professional.
You and Brandon are quite the partnership. How nice is it to play with someone who understands you this well?
It’s nice that we have that sixth-sense understanding. He keeps calling me Kevin De Bruyne. I hope that will stick!
I’ve always enjoyed creating goals for strikers, ever since I was at Reading, and now that I’m playing regular first-team football I have the opportunity to do that. By playing with someone like Brandon, I always know where he’ll be. But, it’s not just me and him. Combinations seem to be working with players throughout the whole team.
Five goals assisted him this season, have you asked for a share of his goal bonus yet?
I should. He joked about it after we played Taunton, but now I’ve been thinking about taking up his offer. I think it would only be fair if I get half the bonus!
What would be a better way to win a game? To score a last-minute winner, or to have a player score from a classic Teddy Howe cross?
Obviously I want to create a goal, but it depends on the type of the goal. If it’s a last-minute winner, there’s no better feeling, so I would have to go with that.
But, when it comes to creating goals, the best thing here is that Leo and I help each other. Usually at clubs, you try to do better than your full-back partner, but Leo and I always joke about how many assists we can get. We’re always trying to push each other, which is the main thing.
You click well with the team on the pitch. What’s it like being with them off the pitch?
We all get along. As a group, when we perform on the pitch it makes us want to go out and celebrate that. When we get the opportunity to go out as a group, we do.
It helps that we have some good characters in the group, which on a night out is a good laugh!
Charlie Rowan once saw a player shave off his eyebrows at an end-of-season party. Are there any crazy stories you have from your career that top that?
There’s a player for Lincoln, whose name I can’t mention, who had come on a night out when we were at Reading. He’d never been out before. We had to get him out of the club, and when he sat down on a bench he started weeing himself. He didn’t even realise. He’d had a bit too much!
There were videos in the group chat the next day. I don’t think he’s been out since!
The whole team agrees that Calvin Brooks is the biggest character at the club. Are you able to share with us some of his best pranks?
You’ll remember when he got Joe Thomas to pull out one of the laces of my boots. That didn’t go down well!
In terms of jokes, it happens more in the car. Brandon, Bear and Gez will be able to tell you more. He’s a great laugh and he always brings up the mood in the changing room. He even loves my music now, after he gave it stick at the start of the season!
I’ve heard that you’re the dressing-room DJ. What music do you like to put on before a game?
When we first get into the stadium, I’ll put on chilled music, typically RnB. Then, before kick-off, I’ll usually put on some house. Bobby, Mike and Barkus love that, and that seems to lift spirits. But, if we want to go back in time, I’ll play a bit of garage.
Recently, though, we’ve listened to Murder on the Dancefloor ever since Saltburn came out. That’s a crowd-pleaser.
I’ll ask you about your career. Who was your biggest inspiration for getting into the game?
My granddad played rugby for Saracens and my Dad’s uncle [Don Howe] coached England and played for Arsenal, so I come from a sporty family. Even at school, my sisters were into sports.
My parents were also a big part in helping me become a player with the support they’ve given me from a young age. I’ve been quite driven through them.
Coming through the ranks at Reading, how daunting was it to walk into a club that size?
It helped who my Dad [Reading property project manager Nigel Howe] was I guess, although I’ve always had a bit of stick over that. But, that has proved as motivation, to go out on the pitch and show how good I am. That pushed me to do well.
It was Eamonn Dolan who brought me into Reading. He was a massive part in helping me push into the first team. He’s no longer here, but he’s the reason I’ve done well over the years.
Who is the best player you have ever played with?
I’ll have to go with Michael Olise. We both went into the first team together, and I’ll never forget the first training session we had. He nutmegged the club captain. He told Michael off, but Michael told him to do one, in kind words!
What are your overall career hopes?
Obviously I’d hope to play at a higher level, but I’m 25 and I need to be realistic. I can’t read the future, but my main hope is to make a name for myself at either this level or above and stay in football as long as I can.
What are your hopes for Weymouth this season?
We’re still trying to get into the play-offs, or at least the top 10. Compared to last season that’s an improvement, and if we start to beat these top teams we’ll give ourselves a chance.
Interview by
Jack Webb
