I've Got To Prove Myself Again - Our Young Fans Didn't Know Me!

CHRIS Powell was once voted Southend’s all-time cult hero. Back in the dugout 22 years later, he isn’t worried about sullying his reputation.

- Chris Dunlavy

“What reputation?” chuckles the 48-year-old, who replaced the sacked Phil Brown as Shrimpers boss on Tuesday.

“When I played here, we’d just been promoted from the old Third Division. The Premier League didn’t exist. That tells you how long ago it was! “They were great days, but they belong to the older fans. Nobody under 30 will even remember who I am. I’ve got to prove myself to them, just like I proved myself all those years ago.” Grey-templed regulars at Roots Hall can attest to his success. Signed from top-flight Crystal Palace as a 20-year old in 1990, Powell went from wet-behind-the-ears new boy to beloved mainstay of the legendary side that spent six years in the second tier. Remembered for the peerless consistency that would later see him win five caps for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England, the left-back made 290 appearances and won the Blues’ player of the year award before sealing a £750,000 switch to Jim Smith’s Derby County in 1996.

“I’d been at Palace as a young pro, not really playing,” recalls Powell, who would go on to play more than 274 times in the Premier League for Derby, Charlton and Watford.

“Then, I went on loan to Aldershot. I played a game against Southend and I believe that’s how I got noticed by David Webb, the manager back then.

“He spoke to Palace and that was that. I was in at the deep end and had to learn fast. How to play week in, week out. How to look after myself – on the pitch and off. Understanding what a difference three points could mean to people’s careers and livelihoods.