Nick Powell came within a whisker of walking away from football altogether in January, aged just 31. The Bradford City forward has opened up about how dark that period was for him, and why he is grateful he stuck it out to become a useful weapon for the League One leaders.

A difficult winter at Valley Parade

Powell joined Bradford on a one-year deal last August, but a lengthy injury meant he did not feature between September and April of last season. It was during that extended absence that he began to question whether there was any point carrying on.

"I was going to retire in January, it was a dark time for me," Powell told BBC Radio Leeds. "I couldn't see a future here and it was one of them where did I really want to carry on?"

The 32-year-old credits the decision to persist as one of the best he has made. He knuckled down during his recovery, earned his way back into the squad towards the end of last season, completed a full pre-season, and was rewarded with a new one-year contract in August.

Making an impact from the bench

That new deal has already looked shrewd. Powell has featured as a substitute in all 11 of Bradford's League One matches this season and has contributed four goals in that role, a return that underlines how effective he can be in short bursts.

Manager Graham Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds that Powell "would not always be a sub" and praised his ability to change a game, but for now Powell himself is relaxed about the arrangement.

"As long as I can help the team and come on and do what I do then I'm happy," he said. "I do believe I can change the game in 30 minutes. I have no qualms about what is going on at the moment."

He was also candid about the future, adding: "One of the big things I said to the gaffer yesterday was I want to play as many games as I can before I retire. So if I have to play 50 games as a sub this season then I'll be more than happy."

Honesty about his career

Powell has long been one of those players whose talent was never in doubt. He broke into senior football at Crewe Alexandra, making his debut against Cheltenham in August 2010 at the age of 16. A move to Manchester United followed in the summer of 2012, and he marked his Premier League debut with a goal against Wigan that August. Further appearances for the club proved harder to come by, however, and loan spells with Wigan, Leicester and Hull City were followed by a permanent move to Wigan in 2016, then stints at Stoke City and Stockport County before he pitched up at Valley Parade.

He is refreshingly honest about why his career has not followed the trajectory many expected. "I probably hadn't looked after my body in the middle of my career and the early stages of my career too, which has had a massive effect on me now," he said. "I am what I am because of what I didn't do but you can't dwell on that."

That frankness, combined with a clearly renewed appetite for the game, feels like exactly the kind of attitude that suits a Bradford dressing room aiming high in the third tier this season.

What it means for Bradford

For the Bantams, a player willing to accept a substitute's role without resentment while still delivering goals is a genuine asset in a long League One campaign. Bradford currently sit top of the table, and having an experienced forward who can shift momentum off the bench gives Alexander options that many of his rivals will envy.

Powell's own outlook has clearly shifted. "My perspective changed a long time ago and I enjoy every second I play," he said. "If it's a substitute or a start I'm cherishing every moment."

Given how close he came to never playing again, that is perhaps the most compelling part of the story.

Frequently asked

Why did Nick Powell almost retire?
Powell revealed he considered retiring in January aged 31 after a lengthy injury kept him out of Bradford City's side between September and April of last season. He described it as a dark period in which he could not see a future in the game.
How many goals has Nick Powell scored for Bradford City this season?
Powell has scored four goals in League One this season, all coming as a substitute. He has featured off the bench in all 11 of Bradford's league matches so far.
Is Nick Powell a regular starter for Bradford City?
No. Powell has been used exclusively as a substitute in League One this season, though manager Graham Alexander has indicated that could change. Powell himself says he is happy in that role for now and believes he can change a game in 30 minutes.