Right from his first game on 18May 1927, Erroll Howell was destined to be a very good footballer.
Avoca had a strong side and it was up to the teenager to prove himself, if he was to maintain his position.
Throughout the season Erroll was always amongst the best players.
It was a memorable year for Avoca. Besides winning the premiership, several records were also broken.
It was a similar story in 1928, with the club winning back to back premierships in defeating Redbank by 15 points.
Again Erroll Howell was one of the best players.
Sadly, club records were not kept in 1929, but Avoca were again Premiers, and presumably Erroll was prominent.
In a controversial match against Burrumbeet on 30th August 1930, Erroll booted seven goals to equal the club record set the previous year by Alf Goonan.
There were allegations the game was fixed, thus allowing Avoca to scrape into the four on percentage.
On 18th April 1931, the Avoca newspaper revealed that Amphitheatre had tried to recruit Erroll Howell and had applied for a clearance.
The Avoca club strongly opposed the move and Erroll was appointed captain at the age of 22.
He relinquished the position to Charlie Pollinelli in 1932, but led Avoca again as captain and coach from 1933 until 1936.
On 23rd May 1934, Erroll booted seven goals against Elmhurst to again equal the club record shared with Alf Goonan four years earlier.
When Erroll kicked his 200th goal for Avoca on 4th July 1934, another local identity was making sporting news in England. Hans Ebeling, who was touring with the Australian cricket team, had the bowling figures of five for 28.
In 1935 Erroll was selected in the centre for the Pyrenees League and was one of the best players.
Later in the season he led Avoca to its sixth premiership.
In 1936 Avoca was ripped apart by the Lamplough Miners Football Club row, but still played off in the Grand Final losing to Redbank by 26 points.
At the end of the season Erroll received a special trophy to acknowledge eight years of outstanding service.
In 1937, aged 29 years, Erroll had the honour of being appointed captain and Coach of the Pyrenees league, and also played in Avoca`s Premiership side.
Standing only five feet 10 inches, and weighing 12 stone, Erroll Howell will always be remembered as one of Avoca`s best footballers, and was a significant part of its most successful era ever, which included five premierships.