A RELUCTANCE to end his playing career appears to be the sticking point stopping Darren Powell pitching for the vacant manager’s job at Hampton.
The ex-Southampton and Crystal Palace defender, something of a legend at the Beveree, has been holding the fort in a caretaker capacity along with coach Paul Barry since the resignation of Mark Harper on Easter Monday.
The Chronicle understands interviews for the permanent post have begun. However, if Powell, who also had two spells with Brentford, is to be a serious candidate, it would have to be in a player/joint manager capacity as now as it seems he is reluctant to settle for life in the dugout just yet.
“Paul and I have spoken to the chairman and directors about a few things but even if they said to me Darren you can do it, all the games we’ve played mean I haven’t seriously been able consider the thought of giving up playing.
“But the only time I’m going to hang my boots up is when I feel really old and decrepit and I can’t move, but I don’t feel like that – so I don’t know really.
“If it was solely me managing I would think that might be impossible, but me and Paul I don’t see that as impossible to do.”
Powell’s comments came in the wake of the Beavers’ dour goal-less draw with Harrow on Tuesday night.
The hosts had the better chances, especially in the second half with Billy Jeffreys having a header chalked off for a foul, while Ryan Moss hit the post and had another effort cleared off the line by Harrow defender Michael Peacock.
Should Powell not be the choice of the board the question Beavers’ fans will be asking is will he extend his playing career at The Beveree.
The 37-year-old suggested under a new regime that decision might not be his to make.
However, the affection in which he holds the club who launched he career is clear.
He joked: “We have been discussing they are going to bury me here in one of the corners,” before adding more seriously, I started off here, went pro from here, came back here after my pro career, so it is part of me.
“But all things do come to an end at some stage and if the chairman or a new manager says it is just not to be then it is not to be.”
