Darren Powell may have been an Island football legend, but heartfelt tributes have revealed a legacy stretching far beyond the pitch, as friends, colleagues and youngsters remember ‘the perfect role model’.
While Daz will be remembered by many for an extraordinary football career spanning more than 2 decades, his death has also left children, parents, colleagues, friends and communities across the Isle of Wight mourning a man who played an important role in the lives of thousands of youngsters.
Daz passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) surrounded by his family, having suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Binstead & COB at The Molehill earlier this month.
The former Newport player was one of the Island’s most recognisable footballers, making a record 585 appearances and scoring 73 goals for the club before continuing his playing career with Binstead & COB.
But away from the accolades, trophies and hundreds of appearances, Daz spent much of his working life supporting and inspiring children.
He worked with youngsters at Mayfield Middle School, Cheeky Chimps and Lift Ryde, while also passing on his footballing knowledge to another generation through Sandown Soccer.
Cheeky Chimps Day Nursery in Ryde has described Daz as its longest-serving member of staff, having worked there almost since the nursery first opened.
In a heartfelt tribute, the team said Daz had been a ‘positive and calming influence’ on thousands of children during his years there and had ‘never once let us down’.
Cheeky Chimps said:
“Daz has worked at Cheeky Chimps almost since we first opened and has been a positive and calming influence for thousands of children over all those years.
“He’s never once let us down and leaves behind a team of heartbroken family, friends and workmates.
“RIP Dazza, we all love you so much, you will be so missed by the team.”
Such was Daz’s importance to the nursery community that Cheeky Chimps says it anticipates closing its club on the day of his funeral so colleagues can say their final goodbyes.
A former colleague at Cheeky Chimps has also spoken of the personal impact Daz had on her family over almost 20 years.
She recalled how Daz had looked out for both of her sons at Cheeky Chimps and later while working as a teaching assistant at their schools.
She said:
“They always knew he was one of the trusted adults they could go to, which I know they did over the years.
“He was one of the best people to not only have the pleasure of working with, but also to be able to call a friend.
“Thank you for everything you did, Daz, you probably didn’t even know the impact you had on everyone but you were very, very loved and will be missed by so many.”
There has been a similarly profound sense of loss at Lift Ryde, where special assemblies have been held to allow students and staff to reflect on Daz’s life and the legacy he leaves behind.
In a message to parents and carers, Principal Will Doyle said the news had ‘deeply affected’ both students and staff.
During the assemblies, the school used the imagery of footprints in the sand to encourage students to think about the memories Daz had left behind and how those footprints remain after someone’s journey has ended.
Mr Doyle said:
“Our students were truly incredible, honouring Darren with remarkable maturity and respect.
“Please rest assured that support will remain readily available over the coming weeks. Our trained staff are here to listen and help any student processing this grief.”
A Book of Condolence has also been opened in reception at Lift Ryde, allowing colleagues, friends and students to record their memories of Daz.
His influence on young Islanders extended beyond his day-to-day work and into football coaching.
Sandown Soccer remembered Daz as ‘the most genuine, loyal and humble man’ who would rarely speak about his own achievements as a player.
When he did share stories from his career, youngsters were said to have been fascinated and eager to hear more.
Sandown Soccer said:
“An absolute natural at coaching and always focused on building positive relationships with children to help them become better people in all aspects as well as football. The perfect role model.
“Your legacy will always live on in many, many young (and old) people’s lives you helped shape and mould for the better with your positivity and support over so many years.
“You’ll be missed greatly Daz but we’ll make sure you’re never forgotten.”
Tributes have, of course, also poured in from across the footballing community where Daz had been such a familiar figure for more than 20 years.
Newport IW Football Club, where Daz made 585 appearances and scored 73 goals between 2006 and 2024, described him simply as ‘Mr Newport’.
During his years with the club, he won the Russell Cotes Cup and numerous Isle of Wight Senior Cups, while also representing the Isle of Wight at the Island Games.
Newport said:
“But the numbers only tell part of the story. Daz gave everything, every time. When the club needed him, his answer was always yes.
“To us, he was and will always be Mr Newport.
“Our thoughts are with Daz’s family and friends. Rest in peace, Daz.”
At Binstead & COB, where Daz was captain and played his final match, the club described him in 3 words – ‘Captain. Leader. Hero’.
Announcing his death, Binstead & COB said:
“We are devastated to announce that our captain, Daz, sadly passed away this afternoon, surrounded by his close family.
“Daz is now at peace.
“Captain. Leader. Hero. Rest in peace Daz.”
West Wight Football Club has also joined the Island-wide mourning, saying everyone at the club was ‘devastated’ by the death of an ‘Isle of Wight football legend’.
Daz’s achievements were not confined to grass either.
England Beach Soccer said Daz had graced the sand for more than 2 decades, representing his country with ‘pride, commitment and humility’ and earning numerous international caps.
The organisation said:
“What will stay with us most is not only his talent, but his character.
“Darren was one of life’s good guys, warm, genuine, dependable, and admired by everyone who had the privilege to play alongside him.
“A champion on the sand and grass, and an even greater one off it.”
Binstead and Fishbourne councillor Ian Dore has also paid tribute, saying the strength of the community would be particularly important following Daz’s death.
Cllr Dore said:
“Daz was so much more than a familiar face in Island football. Through his dedication, loyalty, commitment and obvious love of the game, he became someone respected and admired by teammates, opponents, supporters, volunteers and clubs right across the Island.
“For so many people, Daz was an inspiration and a genuinely positive presence.”
He added that clubs, players, supporters, neighbours and friends would rally around Daz’s loved ones, saying ‘Binstead mourns with you, and Binstead stands with you’.
The tributes paint a picture of a man whose contribution to Island life stretched far beyond what he achieved during 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon.
To Island football, Darren Powell was a record appearance holder, captain, England beach soccer international and one of the most respected players of his generation.
To thousands of children who encountered him through school, childcare and coaching, however, he was simply Daz – a familiar, dependable and positive presence who helped shape their younger years.
In the wake of his death, Daz’s family are now hoping something positive can be created from their loss by raising money for Isle of Wight Defibrillators.vMoney raised through the appeal will go towards Isle of Wight Defibrillators, helping to support the availability of potentially life-saving equipment across the Island.
Those wishing to contribute can donate through the family’s fundraising page here.
Island Echo extends its condolences to Darren’s family and friends.
