Chris Powell is still cutting the mustard at the ripe old age of 37, as he bids to help Watford out of a relegation pickle. The PFA Chairman has racked up well over 700 appearances during his career at a variety of clubs including the likes of Crystal Palace, Aldershot, Southend, Derby, Charlton, West Ham and now the Hornets. Throw into the equation an England cap for good measure and it is safe to say that Powell has enjoyed a fantastic career. However, he has no intentions of hanging up his boots just yet and is perfectly happy in his dual role as Premiership footballer and spokesman for the PFA. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson caught up with Powell for an exclusive chat about all things PFA in their centenary year and how Watford could still perform their great escape.
Q:IS IT AN HONOUR TO BE PFA CHAIRMAN IN THEIR CENTENARY YEAR?
A:Without a doubt. Life is all about timing, it's the 100th year of the PFA and I happen to be chairman so it is a fantastic honour for me. I hope the year goes fantastically well.
Q:WHAT BENEFITS HAVE YOU HAD FROM THE PFA DURING YOUR 20-YEAR CAREER?
A:Not only being a member of the management committee and being a representative at my various clubs, but, also the honour of now being chairman. From my first years at a football club back in 1986-87 I took good advice from one of the senior players at Crystal Palace to make sure I became a member. They said make sure I use all the benefits and I have.
Q:WAS IT GOOD ADVICE?
A:It was a great piece of advice, as the union looks after all its members regardless of what league you are in. I think some players still don't recognise what benefits they can get, how can they be helped with their financial planning and looking ahead to the future, and life outside football. Absolutely anything and everything can be dealt with by the PFA.
Q:AS YOU WILL BE 38 THIS YEAR – ARE YOU PLANNING FOR LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL?
A:I am planning ahead as I think you would be naïve not to. I am starting my UEFA 'A' coaching bade this year and I have my 'B' Licence already. That is my next step on that side of things but I always think there aren't as many jobs in the game as a coach or a manager as everyone thinks there is. I am planning outside and whether I stay in the admin side – like I am doing now – is another avenue. I don't mind the media work and don't mind the PFA side of things and am very pleased to be involved in our union at this level. Sometimes I think I may step outside football. I have been in it a long time and I love the game and enjoy what I do, but I have got other business interests outside of football so I may just go into those. We'll wait and see.
Q:IS WATFORD'S POSITION AT THE FOOT OF THE PREMIERSHIP TO BE EXPECTED AFTER BEING PROMOTED THROUGH THE PLAY-OFFS?
A:You go into the season hoping that it goes ever so well for us and we looked at what West Ham and Wigan did in their first season after promotion and ours hasn't worked out so far. But we still have just under half of the season to go. We are still being positive and if we can go on a run – which we haven't done as yet – who knows what can happen? We are never going to raise the white flag and give up and we are going to keep fighting until the end and we could climb out of the bottom three and stay up – you never know. It would be an amazing achievement but it is an achievement we are still going for.
Q:DO YOU STILL ENJOY GETTING UP TO TRAIN EVERY DAY?
A:I am loving it. This season hasn't gone particularly well for myself or my team, but I have loved each and every day so far this season and I want more. I want to carry on playing until you carry me off. I still feel fine and in all my fitness tests I am still up there, which I am very pleased about. You have to be realistic and say to yourself that you can’t play forever. Everyone thinks they will but there comes a point and I know that I am in the latter stages of my career so we will see what happens.
Q:ARE YOU UPSET TO SEE CHARLTON STRUGGLING IN THE PREMIERSHIP?
A:I am upset to see Charlton where they are now as it is a club that is close to my heart. When you look at all the changes that have happened this year – they are on their third manager – it is not surprising that things haven't gone so well. The chairman and the board have had to make a decision that they haven't had to make in 15 years when Alan Curbishley left on who to bring in. There wasn't a natural successor there so it was tough for them. They appointed Iain Dowie and for whatever reason they dismissed him.
Q:WAS IT ALWAYS GOING TO BE TOUGH FOR WHOEVER REPLACED ALAN CURBISHLEY?
A:Without a doubt and I think he would have had to make an impression on everyone straight away. Because things weren't going the way they wanted they parted company, which is a shame for Iain but I am sure now they have got a great manager in Alan Pardew. I worked with him at West Ham for a year and he will definitely get some sort of structure and get them going again and try and get some players in.
