Bradford City forward Nick Powell has revealed he was preparing to retire in January at the age of 31, describing that period as a dark time in his career. The former Manchester United player joined the Bantams on a one-year deal last August but did not play between September and April.
Powell, now 32, has since rebuilt his season. He signed a new one-year contract in August and has featured as a substitute in all 11 of Bradford’s games this season, scoring four goals for the League One leaders, including two in Tuesday’s 2-1 EFL Trophy win over Newcastle Under-21s.
“I was going to retire in January, it was a dark time for me,” Powell told BBC Radio Leeds. “I couldn’t see a future here and it was one of them where did I really want to carry on?”
He added: “The fact that I knuckled down and got back in last season and then did a whole pre-season and earned a new contract and sort of had praise from everyone… I fully enjoy it. I want more years.”
Powell began his career at hometown club Crewe Alexandra, making his senior debut against Cheltenham in August 2010 at the age of 16. He joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the summer of 2012 and scored on his Premier League debut against Wigan that August, but made only two further league appearances for the club. Loan spells with Wigan, Leicester City and Hull City preceded a free-transfer move to Wigan in 2016, and he went on to play for Stoke City and Stockport County. He has scored 83 goals in 354 league appearances across his career.
The forward says he is content with his role as a substitute at Bradford. “As long as I can help the team and come on and do what I do then I’m happy,” he said. “One of the big things I said to the gaffer yesterday was I want to play as many games as I can before I retire. So if I have to play 50 games as a sub this season then I’ll be more than happy. I do believe I can change the game in 30 minutes. I have no qualms about what is going on at the moment. There will be a time where I get frustrated and want to push for a start but if the gaffer says ‘no, this is working’ or ‘this is what I’m thinking’ then that is his role.”
Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds after Tuesday’s win that Powell “would not always be a sub” and praised his ability to impact games.
The former England Under-21 international also conceded that some of the injury problems he has encountered during his career were self-inflicted. “I probably hadn’t looked after my body in the middle of my career and the early stages of my career too which has had a massive effect on me now,” he said. “I am what I am because of what I didn’t do but you can’t dwell on that. I’m enjoying every second of it, if I finish at 33 or 35 it is what it is. My perspective changed a long time ago and I enjoy every second I play. If it’s a substitute or a start I’m cherishing every moment.”