Chris Powell

Christopher George Robin "Chris" Powell (born 8 September 1969 in Lambeth, London) is an England Association footballer, who has had a long career as a Defender (association football) Full back, crowned by five caps for the England national football team. Since November 2005 he has also been chairman of the Professional Footballers Association. He is currently under contract at Leicester City F.C..

Early career

Powell began his career in December 1987 as a trainee at Crystal Palace F.C. but failed to become a regular with the first team. He spent time on loan at Aldershot F.C., where he made 11 appearances, before moving on a free transfer in August 1990 to Essex club Southend United F.C..

Southend United

In six years at the Essex club Powell made 288 first team appearances. In November 2004 a BBC poll of Southend United supporters voted Powell their all-time cult hero. One fan described him as "A very skilled, left-footed defender, who could quite possibly be considered one of the nicest men in football, a true gent."

In January 1996 Powell moved to Derby County F.C. for a fee of Pound sterling750,000. He made 99 first team appearances before being transferred to Charlton Athletic F.C. in June 1998 for a fee of £825,000.

Charlton

While at Charlton, he made 206 first team appearances, and evidently caught the eye of Sven-Göran Eriksson, who picked him for the England team in 2001, at the unusually late age of 31. At Charlton he delighted the crowds after each home victory with his exuberant leaps of celebration.

Shortly after the start of the 2004-05 season, Powell was allowed to move to West Ham United F.C, where he played a major part in their successful promotion campaign. However, during the summer of 2005 he and West Ham were unable to agree terms for a further contract and he returned to Charlton on a one year contract, with a suggestion that he would develop his coaching skills.

Typically consistent performance belying his years throughout 2005-06 saw Powell regain his place as Charlton's first choice left back, rotated with loanee Jonathan Spector, due to Hermann Hreidarsson's move to the centre of defence. On 1 July 2006 he signed a one year contract with FA Premiership newcomers Watford F.C. as Aidy Boothroyd looked to add some experience to his youthful squad. He was released by the club after one year. In July 2007, Powell returned to Charlton for a third spell, primarily as a coach. In November 2007, an online petition was created to ask Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown to award Powell with a knighthood for his "work and support of his local communities". He made his last appearance for Charlton on 4 May 2008, coming on as substitute for the last five minutes in the final game of the season, against Coventry City F.C., and scoring only his third goal for the club to seal a 4–1 victory.

Leicester City

Powell joined League Two side A.F.C. Bournemouth on a trial basis in July 2008 whilst the club looked to see if he could bring much needed experience to their defence. He joined Leicester City on a 6-month contract on 23 August 2008.
He made his debut against Fulham F.C. in Leicester's Football League Cup second round 3-2 defeat, playing the full 90 minutes.