Powell has praised The FA and McDonald’s for a scheme to reward the best coaches of young children at grass roots level - and has a message for anyone wanting to follow in their footsteps.

She believes coaching is a skill that can be learned by anyone with the right attitude and application – and it isn't a profession that should be restricted to top-class players.

She said: "I don’t think you have to play at a high level to be a top coach. I think you have to have an understanding and an appreciation of the game, that’s what is important.

"The best players don’t make the best coaches and the best coaches were not the best players. I think it’s a skill. I think it’s something you can pick up and learn. And you keep learning however long you have been in the game.

"Some of the top male coaches like Sven-Goran Eriksson, Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier and Jose Mourinho weren’t necessarily great players."

Powell, of course, was a pretty decent player herself. But she has huge experience as a coach and would recommend it to anyone.

She said: "I have been coaching 17 or 18 years. For me as a female I wanted to work in the game. And coaching seemed the natural thing.

"I love it and I know you can get a lot out of it. I think it’s brilliant to see these coaches who work with children and do such a good job. The coaches that work lower down are really important and I’m not sure enough value is placed on them.

"Working with the youngsters is the future of the game. It’s hard work but they do a great job and deserve every accolade they get.

"The kids are the future of the game so it’s important they get the right education in terms of playing the game at a very early age and that will bode well for the future."