Richie Powling

Richie Powling (born 21 May 1956) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender, and who later became a manager.

Richie Powling
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-05-21) 21 May 1956
Place of birth Barking, England
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1971–1973 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1981 Arsenal 55 (3)
– Barnet
– Grays Athletic
National team
1973–1974 England youth 3 (0)
Teams managed
1984–19?? Tiptree United
Harwich & Parkeston
1992–1997 Sudbury Town
1999 Braintree Town
2002–2003 Clacton Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Born in Barking, Powling began his career at Arsenal, signing on apprentice terms in September 1971. A regular for the club's reserve teams while still just fifteen, he turned professional in July 1973. He made his first-team debut in a 2–0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on 27 October 1973, but only played twice more that season. He went on to win three England youth caps during the 1973–74 season.[1][2]

A bit-part player during 1974–75 he made only nine appearances, during the 1975–76 season. Powling then established himself in the first team during the following season; he scored his first goal in a 1–1 draw at Coventry City and played a total of 29 matches during the season. However, following the arrival of new manager Terry Neill, defenders Pat Howard and Willie Young, as well as a spate of injuries, Powling lost his regular place in the team, playing just 11 times in 1976–77 season.[1]

After appearing against Nottingham Forest in September 1977, he suffered an ankle injury, then knee damage, causing him to miss the rest of the 1977–78 and 1978–79 seasons. He made a comeback in the reserves at the end of 1979–80 but never fully recovered and did not play for the first team again. In total he played 59 times for Arsenal, scoring three goals. He then left the club in 1981 to play for non-League clubs Barnet and Grays Athletic before retiring.[1][2]

Managerial career

He began his management career at Tiptree United in 1984,[3] before moving to Harwich & Parkeston. Between 1992 and 1997 he managed Sudbury Town, leading them to their greatest period of success; during his time as manager Sudbury were promoted to the Premier Division of the Southern League and reached the FA Cup second round for the first (and only) time in their history.[2]

After leaving Sudbury he took over as manager of Braintree Town in April 1999,[4] but was sacked in December that year.[5] After returning to Harwich on the coaching staff in 2000,[6] he joined Clacton Town in 2002, and became the club's Director of Football in 2003.[7]

References
  1. "Richie Powling". Arsenal.com.
  2. "Football: FA CUP COUNTDOWN: Powling's paupers can cash in". Independent.co.uk.
  3. History Tiptree United
  4. Soccer: Powling aims high for Braintree Gazette, 14 April 1999
  5. Soccer: Iron sack Powling Gazette, 17 December 1999
  6. Soccer: Powling at Harwich Clacton Gazette, 13 December 2000
  7. Soccer: Powling steps up Gazette, 9 September 2003
  • Harris, Jeff (1995). Hogg, Tony (ed.). Arsenal Who's Who. Independent UK Sports. ISBN 1-899429-03-4.
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