Chris Powell: Southend United were the making of me

Powell joined Blues in 1990 and went on to make 290 appearances for the club during a six year spell at Roots Hall.

The left-back remains one of the classiest and most popular players to have ever lined up for the Shrimpers.

And the club will forever hold a special place in Powell’s heart.

“Southend is a brilliant club, which I still consider to be the making of me and it’s always going to be a special place for me,” said Powell.

“My time playing there seems so long ago but I can still remember so much about it.

“Looking back now it feels as though I can recall pretty much every game we played but it was the start of an incredible journey for me.

Flash back - Chris Powell in action for Southend United

“My career actually started at Crystal Palace where I came through the youth system but Southend was where I first played regularly.

“I went there as a young professional looking to make my way in the game and was made into a man.

“It was quite eventful with six managers in my six years but I think the fans who were watching around that time still look back at that period with great fondness.”

Powell helped Blues win promotion into what is now the Championship during his first season at Roots Hall and remains honoured to have played with some talented players during his spell with Southend.

“They were great days and we had so many good players and characters in and around the team at that time,” recalled Powell.

“We had Andy Ansah on the wing, Stan Collymore in attack, Brett Angell, Peter Butler, Paul Sansome, Ian Benjamin, Dean Austin and many, many more.

“There are so many others I could mention and we all shared some special memories together.”

Powell - who remains a popular figure among Blues’ fans - opted to leave Roots Hall in favour of a switch to Derby County in 1996.

The Rams paid £750,000 for the defender and ultimately helped to fulfil his ambition of playing Premier League football.

The left-back also went on to play at the top level for a number of other teams and was rewarded for his consistent displays by winning five caps for England.

International - Chris Powell won five caps for England

But, despite his success, Powell never forgot his roots and continued to track the Shrimpers’ progress.

The former defender attends matches whenever possible and hopes to see Blues back in the Championship next season.

“I’ve never stopped looking for Southend’s results and I’ve been back to see a few games over the years as well,” said Powell.

“I was really disappointed a couple of years ago when I came back to watch the League Two play-off semi-final, which was won by Burton Albion.

“Thankfully the following year was different and it was amazing to be at Wembley to see the club win promotion by beating Wycombe Wanderers.

“I didn’t think it was going to happen at one stage but to see the team score right at the end of extra time was really special.

“I also enjoyed it because Joe Pigott was someone I gave a debut to as a young player when I was at Charlton so I was happy to see him score and for Southend to then go on to win the game on penalties.

“This season is also going well and I hope that can continue.”

Despite a slow start to the campaign which saw Blues deep in danger up until mid-October, they now find themselves in the play-off positions with just five games to go.

A run of four successive victories was ended in midweek by a 1-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers but Phil Brown’s side remain sixth in the League One standings.

Full of praise - Chris Powell has been impressed by the job Phil Brown has done at Roots Hall

However, Blues are now only above seventh placed Millwall on goal difference and Powell desperately hopes Southend can enjoy a strong end to the season.

“The team have got themselves into a really strong position and I really hope they can finish the season well to make sure they get into the play-offs,” said Powell.

“Considering the teams they are up against I think that would be a great achievement but once you’re in the play-offs anything can happen really.

“Of course it’s going to be tough because there are a lot of big clubs also going for promotion but it would be great if Southend would be able to get back into the Championship.

“That would mean a lot to me and it’s something I would love to see because of how much the club means to me.”

Promotion would also see more Shrimpers players working their way into the club’s folklore.

Popular figure - Chris Powell

But Powell’s former team-mate at Roots Hall - Steve Tilson - believes the left-back will forever be remembered with great fondness by everyone connected with Blues.

“Chris was different class both on and off the pitch,” said Tilson, who also went on to manage the Shrimpers.

“For me he’s one of the very best players Southend have ever had.

“In all my time with the club he’s only just behind Stan (Collymore) as the best I’ve seen. He’s different class as a person too.”

POWELL IMPRESSED BY CURRENT BLUES SIDE

CHRIS Powell has admitted to be impressed by the modern-day Shrimpers side.

Powell watched Blues win 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon a fortnight ago.
And he was full of admiration for how Phil Brown’s side were able to come out on top at Kingsmeadow.

“I thought it was a real street-wise performance from Southend,” said Powell.

“The pitch wasn’t the best and it was quite windy too but they did what they had to do to win the game which, during the course of a 46 game season, is necessary sometimes.

“I had the same when I won League One with Charlton and I was impressed by how Southend were able to see the game out.

Good win - Chris Powell watched Blues triumphed at AFC Wimbledon

“They defended well to get the clean sheet and two moments of quality at the other end of the pitch - from Nile Ranger and Simon Cox - decided the game in their favour.”

And that made it an enjoyable afternoon for Powell.

“It was a last minute decision to go but I don’t live too far from AFC Wimbledon and was able to get a ticket,” said Powell.

“I sat behind the goal near to the Southend fans and enjoyed it.”

TOMORROW'S GAME IS MASSIVE FOR BOTH TEAMS

CHRIS Powell believes tomorrow’s clash at the Valley is a massive match for both of his former teams.

The Shrimpers will be pushing for all three points in their bid to make the League One play-offs while Charlton also need a win to avoid being dragged into the relegation dog-fight.

And Powell thinks that will make for an interesting encounter.

“I really do think this is a massive match for both teams,” said the ex Blues left-back.

Happy times - Chris Powell celebrates winning League One with Charlton back in 2012

“I obviously keep an eye on both teams and this is a game they will both really be looking to win.

“Southend are still in the play-off places but I’m sure they will be hurting after conceding a last minute goal to lose against Bolton in the week.

“I spoke to a friend of mine who is a Southend fan after that game and he was quite down but the team are still well placed.

“But Charlton need the points for very different reasons.

“I didn’t actually realise how close they were to the relegation zone until I had a look at the league table earlier this week.

“They have won once in 14 games and will really want to end that run by beating Southend.”

However, Powell - who will be a guest on Channel Five Football League Tonight show this weekend - fully expects Blues to enjoy their trip to the Valley.

Still learning - Chris Powell

“One thing I had to guard against when I was at Charlton was how much opposition teams enjoyed coming to play at the Valley,” said the 47-year-old.

“It’s a really nice ground, it’s a former Premier League stadium and the pitch is always nice too.

“I’m sure Southend will enjoy going there, especially as I understand they are going to be taking more than 2,000 fans.

“I’m sure they will be looking to put even more pressure on the home-team and with so much at stake I think it should be a really good game.”

The clash will also see Blues boss Phil Brown go head to head with Addicks boss Karl Robinson.

And Powell was full of praise for the job Brown has done at Roots Hall.

“Phil, along with Graham Coughlan, has done really well,” said Powell.

“He’s taken the club out of League Two and into a good position in League One where they find themselves up against a few teams who used to be in the Premier League.”

POWELL LOOKING TO CARRY ON HIS LEARNING

CHRIS Powell is keen to continue his development as a coach - despite not currently being with a club.

Powell left Derby County last month.

But, as he waits for another opportunity, the former England international will be visiting Premier League sides alongside his work in the media.

Back at the Rams - Chris Powell during his spell at Derby

“I will be going to watch a couple of Premier League sides train and I think it’s good to keep on learning by seeing how the top teams do things,” said Powell.

“It’s something I’ve always done because it’s good to pick their brains and it’s something I’ll always look to do as well.

“I’m enjoying the media work I’m doing at the moment but I’ll have to see what comes up next.”

Powell’s first taste of management came as a caretaker boss at Leicester City in 2010 when he took charge of one game alongside Mike Stowell.

His first permanent post came at Charlton Athletic in 2011 and he spent three years in charge of the Addicks before his controversial dismissal.

Powell returned to management with Huddersfield Town in 2014 but left the Terriers in 2015 before taking up a coaching job at Derby County in May 2016.

Powell also had a spell as caretaker manager with the Rams before reverting to assistant manager when Steve McClaren was appointed.

However, the duo both lost their jobs in March and Powell is now waiting for another opportunity.

But he does not expect that to be at Roots Hall.

“Phil is doing a great job with Southend and long may that continue,” said Powell.

“He’s up against it in League One but he’s doing well and it’s good to see because he’s someone I’ve always got on well with.”

TOP CAREER

CHRIS Powell started his playing career at Crystal Palace, coming through the youth system before playing five times for the first team.

However, the left-back joined Blues in 1990 and spent six seasons at Roots Hall, making 290 appearances before being snapped up by Derby County.

Fine career - Chris Powell

Powell was also a huge hit with the Rams where he played for two years prior to joining Charlton for the first time.

Powell had four years at the Valley before joining West Ham United.

But, after a year at Upton Park, Powell returned to Charlton for another season.

In 2006 he joined Watford but then headed back to Charlton for a third time. He ended his playing career at Leicester City.

In total, Powell made 763 appearances and played five times for England.