NOT too many Southend United players have happy memories of playing at Luton Town, but popular former left-back Chris Powell is one of them.

Powell, who made 290 appearances in six seasons with the Shrimpers, helped Blues fight back from 2-0 down to secure a share of the spoils with a brilliantly taken right footed shot back in 1994.

But he hopes Phil Brown’s side will be able to go one better this weekend and claim the club’s first win at Kenilworth Road since 1964.

“We came back to get a point that day but obviously I hope the current Southend side can do better than that and get all three because I love to see them doing well,” said Powell, 45.

“I remember that game we had at Luton really well and I didn’t score many goals during my career so I obviously remember scoring there as well.

“It was with my right foot which made it even more memorable but I do think it gets a bit further out every time I talk about it.”

Powell’s superb strike was one of many fine moments he enjoyed while lining up for the Shrimpers.

The defender came to the club from Crystal Palace in the summer of 1990 and went on to win promotion in to what is now the Championship in his very first season.

“Southend was where I really first started to play and winning promotion straight away was just fantastic,” said Powell.

“We had a great side and we had some great characters too. We had Andy Ansah, Ian Benjamin, David Martin, Peter Butler, Paul Clark – players that I’m sure make every Southend fan smile when they’re mentioned and we had so many great moments.

“I remember going top of what is now the Championship after beating Newcastle 4-0 and I remember when we played against Gabriel Batistuta and for Fiorentina in the Anglo Italian Cup which was just crazy.

“It’s also the longest I’ve ever been at a club in one go so of course Southend is still very special to me.

“And I was more gutted than anyone when they lost in the play-offs to Burton Albion last season.”

Powell hopes the Shrimpers will be able to bounce back in to League One this time around.

But he also has his own side to think about once more, after taking over at Huddersfield Town at the start of September.

The former Charlton Athletic boss is delighted to be back in the game and looks to be turning things around with the Terriers who have now not been beaten in their last three games.

“I’ve been in football since I was 16 and this was the biggest break I’ve had during that time so I was delighted and proud to get the job at Huddersfield,” said Powell.

“It’s a great club and they’re also in the Championship which is a level I enjoy managing at.

“Things are going well and after they had gone 20 games without a clean sheet we’ve got two in our last six matches which pleases me.

“We also won at home for the first time since March last week but everyone is fully aware that there is still of hard work that needs to be done.

“But I love football and I’m just so happy to be back in it again.”

Powell went on to play Derby County, Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Watford, Leicester City and most memorably of all, England , after leaving Roots Hall in 1996 and totalled 768 career appearances.

However, after opting to hang up his boots in 2010, Powell concentrated on coaching and eventually management.

He took Charlton back in to the Championship in his first job and admits learning from all the managers he played under, including those at Southend.

“You don’t really think about it at the time but I guess you do take things from all the managers you worked with,” said Powell.

“I certainly had quite a few when I was at Southend and there were some real characters among them, including Dave Webb and Barry Fry.

“But there was also Colin Murphy, Peter Taylor, Steve Thompson and Ronnie Whelan who went from being my team-mate to being my manager and then deciding to sell me to Derby.

“I learnt a lot and I really do hope Southend can get back up the leagues again.

“I still always come down to watch them when I can but it’s a bit more difficult now I’m about 200 miles.

“However, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for all their results and I hope to see them win promotion again this season.”