Club legend Donna Powell leaves Fisher: I’ve sat down and realised that I was a part of Fisher FC for 20 years. I started as a turnstiles girl and made British history with them

HISTORY making Donna Powell has announced her departure from Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Fisher.

 

Powell became the first-ever female football manager in this country when she took charge of cash-strapped Fisher Athletic for one match, a Conference South fixture against Eastleigh on Wednesday 18 February 2009.

The then turnstile operator at Fisher Athletic games while groundsharing Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill ground, Powell took over from Dave Mehmet for the game, after raising £500 for the club.

The club were wound up at the High Court on Wednesday 13 May 2009 due to an unpaid debt to the Inland Revenue of a reported figure of around £250,000 and re-formed as fan-owned Fisher Football Club weeks later and now play their games at St Paul’s Sports Ground, on the same road as their former home at Salter Road.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to step down as first-team physio for Fisher FC,” said Powell, whose family have had a long association with the club and she also coached within the youth ranks of the Rotherhithe based club.

“Thank you to everyone there. It’s been an amazing six years. It’s been even longer if you count the years I coached. 

“I’ve sat down and realised that I was a part of Fisher FC for 20 years.  I started as a turnstiles’ girl and made British history with them. Turned coach, then physio.  Not sure anyone else can say they have been that long with a club.”

Powell added: "It has been a real pleasure to work for a great club. Twenty years is a long time. I wish the management and players all the best for the season.   I will be down to watch.  The next physio has big shoes to fill - look after my boys."

A club statement said: “Donna Powell has decided to leave her role as first-team physio.  We would like to thank Donna for her years of hard work for us and Fisher Athletic in varied roles, a true club legend.

“We are now inviting applications for the first-team physio vacancy.  The ideal candidate will be available for first-team training sessions as well as on match day.”

To apply for the role, please email your CV to  secretary.fisherfc@yahoo.com

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.org