Berry good indeed

Last updated : 12 May 2007 By The Blue Pimpernel
Berry Powel
Powel: A hit in Holland
While the likes of Barry Cogan and Peter Sweeney haven't enjoyed the best of seasons since leaving The Den, one man who has regained his touch is Dutch striker Berry Powel.

The former Den Bosch striker, who scored on his debut after just two minutes for The Lions, has enjoyed a free-scoring season with his new club De Graafschap and helped them to the Dutch Second Division championship after finding the net 29 times.

Powel was originally spotted by former Chief Scout Bob Pearson but had trouble settling into a relegation-bound side run by David Tuttle and was unceremoniously shown the door last summer by former boss Nigel Spackman, who decided he'd seen enough of the Dutchman to know that he didn't fit into his plans.

Many at the time thought that Powel had been treated harshly and couldn't understand why he'd been released after such a short spell. Despite only playing a handful of games, it was commonly acknowledge that although he was a bit rough around the edges, the striker certainly had something about him to suggest he could find his feet in League One.

Spackman felt his actions were justified when the striker failed to land a contract with Scottish side Hibs after a trial - although this was more down to his fitness levels than skill - but this was the same manager who thought the League Two title would be a stroll with the likes of Morais, McInnes and Ross.

Unfortunately for Powel, he was a victim of circumstance at a club all at sea. Rumour has it that Spackman had been "advised" by certain parties with bald heads who shall remain nameless about the striker's abilities as the club started dishing out two-year contracts to players who just all happened to share the same agent.

If anything, Berry Powel should serve as a reminder of just how rotten things were at the club last summer following our relegation. Had he stayed, who knows what would've happened but he was probably a better bet than Kevin Braniff. I for one hope Powel does go on to greater things in the Eredivisie next season, if only to prove his former paymasters wrong. But now that most of those involved in his shocking treatment have finally left the club there's probably little point. They probably don't care anyway.