TSANJ's Tim Howard Makes News In Great Britain

The Mirror, May 22, 2003
May 22, 2003, Thursday

FOOTBALL: FERGIE'S NEW KEEPER; WE SWEAR IT'S TRUE: TOURETTE'S SUFFERER IS TARGET FOR UNITED

MANCHESTER United have agreed a deal for goalkeeper Tim Howard, the American who has fought an extraordinary battle with Tourette's Syndrome.

The 23-year-old has risen to the top in America with New York MetroStars despite suffering from the neurological disorder that causes nervous tics and uncontrolled verbal outbursts or random swearing. Howard has worked hard to control the condition and was recently given a humanitarian award for helping others as a role model. The 6ft 2in star has quickly risen to the top of the Major League and is tipped to have the same impact as Brad Friedel, Blackburn's American star voted best keeper in the Premiership this season.

United initially contacted Howard and MetroStars general manager Nick Sakiewicz in March, expressing interest.

Howard said then: "You dream about things like this. They are the biggest sports team in world history." After viewing tapes of him in action, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sent goalkeeping coach Paul Barron to Houston to watch the recent United States-Mexico friendly.

Barron was hugely impressed after Howard kept a clean sheet and made five stunning saves - and has now persuaded Fergie to pursue the player named in the Major League Best XI line-up for the past two seasons.

Howard has yet to play for the United States in a serious international because of the form of Friedel and Kasey Keller.

But Ferguson is hopeful of pulling strings over a visa. Howard has just married a Hungarian and that might help get a work permit so he can sign for this summer.

A fee of around pounds 1.2million has already been discussed.

Fabien Barthez is out of favour at United and Roy Carroll's wanted by Steve Bruce's Birmingham City.

The Independent May 22, 2003

MANCHESTER UNITED TRYING TO SIGN DISABLED GOALKEEPER

MANCHESTER UNITED are trying to sign an American international goalkeeper voted Humanitarian of the Year after coping with the effects of Tourette's syndrome.

Tim Howard, 23, has risen to prominence in the United States despite suffering from an illness that will make him an extraordinary character if he arrives at Old Trafford in August for the start of next season. People with Tourette's syndrome suffer from nervous tics and at times cannot control what they are saying. Howard, who plays for New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the Major Soccer League, says he has learnt to cope with the illness. The effects of Tourette's can be harrowing, with spasms and uncontrollable outbursts two of the most common signs.

Howard has coped with the difficulty and his team-mates say they have not found it a problem. However, he is bound to be at the centre of much interest if United complete the deal for the pounds 1.2m-rated player.

The New Jersey-born player is regarded so highly for handling his "handicap" that he was voted Humanitarian of the Year by the charity New York Life. He rose through the college ranks to play for MetroStars, all the while dealing with his illness. Howard has yet to play for the US in a competitive international because of the form of Blackburn's Brad Friedel and Tottenham's Kasey Keller, but has played for the national side in friendly games. He could be one of two new keepers at Old Trafford, with Fabien Barthez out of favour and Roy Carroll wanted by Birmingham City.

EVENING STANDARD
May 22, 2003

UNITED SWEAR BY STAR US GOALKEEPER HOWARD

Manchester United were today reported to be chasing a GBP 1.2million deal for Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome. The 23-year-old is one of the stars of Major League Soccer despite being hampered by the neurological disorder that can cause uncontrolled verbal outbursts or random swearing.

Howard, who plays for New York MetroStars, recently won a humanitarian award which recognised his success in coping with the condition.

Reports today also claim United are in negotiations over a GBP 12m deal for 23-year-old Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldinho from Paris Saint Germain.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]