By John Lyons
You can expect to see Chris Powell pounding the streets of England's towns and cities over the next month, but probably not Russian ones this summer.
When Powell was appointed manager at Southend – a club where he was a highly popular player in the early to mid 90s – a couple of months ago, life began to get extremely busy.
For the 48-year-old was already training to run the London Marathon on behalf of the EFL's official charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK.
It means he's now having to prepare for his first marathon – on Sunday, April 22 – in combination with running the Shrimpers, hence the need to be flexible.
“Things have got harder since I got back into management but I have managed to balance my running around training and games,” said the former Charlton and Huddersfield boss.
“I always have my running kit with me when we travel away and I hit the streets. Sometimes I run on the seafront at Southend, too – it's quite flat and long. I've managed to get enough training done and mileage into my legs so far.”
Powell says preparing for the marathon has given him a new-found respect for all those people who take on the challenge and he's delighted to be running it for a cause that means so much to him. Prostate cancer kills one man every 45 minutes, while black men face a higher than average risk of being diagnosed with it.
Powell is hoping to raise money – with an initial target of £5,000 – and bring the dangers to the public's attention.
“The money raised will go to research and trying to help Prostate Cancer UK find treatments to stop it,” he said. “It affects one in eight men, but one in four black men – it's quite alarming.
“You look around at a family gathering and think one in four of us could have it, which is quite scary.
“I felt I needed to do something about it personally. I have been an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK for a number of years and I'm playing my own small part.
“It's my first marathon and, more than likely, my last! I've been thinking more about completing the distance and trying to run it non-stop than worrying about a time. It's an amazing achievement for anyone.”
With club commitments and training runs to think about, Powell couldn't be much busier. But having his name linked with a coaching role in Gareth Southgate's England set-up has meant he's been in-demand for interviews over the last week, too.
The FA are believed to want a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) manager, assistant manager or coach to work with each of their 28 national sides.
Former England international Powell, who was an apprentice at Crystal Palace alongside Southgate, was immediately linked with the senior team, though the suggestion is that nothing would happen until after this summer's World Cup in Russia.
“I was as shocked as anyone by the story,” said Powell. “It's a great compliment to be linked with something like that, but it takes time and a lot of people to agree many things for something to happen.
“Whether it's myself or someone else linked with a role like that, I can only see it as a positive for English football. It would show the FA are taking the issue seriously.”
So would Powell, who tasted defeat just once in his first nine games at the Shrimpers helm, be interested if England came calling?
“It would be something I would have to deal with if and when it came about,” he added. “My club would have to be involved in anything. We will see what happens in the future.”
For now, you get the feeling he's got enough on his plate”
To sponsor Chris Powell, you can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-powell2018
