Berry Powel

Berry Leroy Powel (born 2 May 1980) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is the current technical director of club De Graafschap.

Career

Powel began his footballing career at amateur club Quick 1890 before joining Roda '46, where his performances attracted the attention of professional scouts. In 2003, he signed with FC Den Bosch, making his debut for the first team in the same year. During his inaugural season, he scored nine goals in 26 appearances in the Eerste Divisie, contributing to the club's promotion to the Eredivisie as league champions. The following season, Powel scored twice in 29 matches in the top flight, as Den Bosch were relegated after just one year. The subsequent departures of several key players, including Koen van de Laak, Mourad Mghizrat, Jochen Janssen and Dennis Schulp, elevated Powel to a central role within the team.

In the 2005–06 season, Powel scored 19 goals in 26 matches, prompting a move to English side Millwall. He made an immediate impact, scoring two minutes into his debut to secure a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City. Following Millwall’s relegation to Football League One, Powel returned to the Netherlands, signing a three-year contract with De Graafschap. He enjoyed a prolific 2006–07 campaign, finishing as the Eerste Divisie's top scorer with 29 goals and playing a key role in the club's promotion.

On 25 August 2010, Powel joined Spanish Segunda División side Gimnàstic on a free transfer. He scored twice on his debut in a 2–0 victory over Girona FC. Although his initial form was promising, he failed to score in the next four matches. A tactical adjustment saw him deployed in a more mobile attacking role, after which he scored in a 2–2 draw against FC Cartagena, having come off the bench with the team trailing. His fourth goal came six games later, a penalty against AD Alcorcón. Despite inconsistent scoring, Powel remained the team's leading goal-scorer. Under new manager Juan Carlos Oliva, Gimnàstic experienced an upturn in form, avoiding relegation, and Powel scored in four consecutive matches against UD Salamanca, Rayo Vallecano, Celta Vigo and Xerez. His performances earned him popularity among supporters and local media, who dubbed him "The Killer of Utrecht". In early 2012, Powel's contract with Gimnàstic was terminated after he was seen in a nightclub shortly after undergoing surgery for a muscular injury, an incident which led to disciplinary action from the club.

On 5 June 2012, Powel returned to Spain, signing a two-year contract with Elche CF. He departed the club on a free transfer in August 2013, following their promotion to La Liga.

After a brief trial with his former club De Graafschap, he signed an amateur contract with Heracles Almelo in January 2014. Having made four appearances, Powel left the club six weeks later to join Roda JC Kerkrade on a professional deal until the end of the season.

Later career

On 26 April 2019, it was announced that Powel would assume a scouting role at De Graafschap, commencing on 1 July of that year. In August 2019, he also signed as a player with GVVV in the Tweede Divisie.

In November 2024, Powel was appointed technical director of De Graafschap on an interim basis, following the departure of Peter Bijvelds. During this transitional period, he collaborated with head scout Richard Roelofsen to oversee player recruitment. On 3 February 2025, Powel signed a contract extending his tenure as technical manager until October 2027. Club director Marco Boogers endorsed the appointment, citing Powel's enrolment in the KNVB's technical director development programme and his collaboration with senior advisors at the club.

Honours

Den Bosch
* Eerste Divisie: 2003–04

De Graafschap
* Eerste Divisie: 2006–07, 2009–10

Elche
* Segunda División: 2012–13

Kozakken Boys
* Topklasse Saturday: 2014–15

Individual
* Eerste Divisie top goalscorer: 2005–06 (shared), 2006–07

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Powel, Berry
1980 births
Living people
Footballers from Utrecht (city)
Dutch men's footballers
Men's association football forwards
Eredivisie players
Eerste Divisie players
Derde Divisie players
Tweede Divisie players
FC Den Bosch players
De Graafschap players
FC Groningen players
ADO Den Haag players
Heracles Almelo players
Roda JC Kerkrade players
English Football League players
Millwall F.C. players
Segunda División players
Gimnàstic de Tarragona footballers
Huracán Valencia CF players
Elche CF players
Kozakken Boys players
IJsselmeervogels players
GVVV players
Dutch expatriate men's footballers
Dutch expatriate sportspeople in England
Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Expatriate men's footballers in England
Expatriate men's footballers in Spain