The sprightly 88-year-old - a member of the staff that will lead Team Bath into the first round of The FA Trophy in partnership with Carlsberg against Hitchin Town on Saturday - received a long service award from the FA for his 53 years in coaching and management.

FA Historian David Barber said that while there are no official records for longest serving coaches, Powell was out on his own.

"There is no record at this level of anyone having coached for a longer period of time. It’s a phenomenal achievement."

Powell’s feat has been lodged with the Guinness Book of Records, who will make a decision on its validity as a record within four to six weeks.

Still looking every inch a Physical Training Instructor - he served as one during the Second World War in the RAF - a chipper Powell played down the citation with a characteristic nod and grin.

"I haven’t done anything more than I would have asked of my players," he said. "Determination, will-power, work rate and will-to-win. They have been my watch-words all my life."

Powell, who was plucked from the relative obscurity of the South Wales Leagues at 17 to join QPR, believes football has not only been his life - it gave him a life.

"When QPR approached me I was working down a coal mine with my father and six brothers for 12 shillings and sixpence a week.

"The memories I have of the mines and all those hard working people is something I shall never forget. Thinking of them - their plight has forever been etched in my mind and given me the will-power to succeed."

As well as playing 14 times for Wales both before and after the Second World War, Powell - a two-footed half-back - won a championship medal with QPR in the 1947-48 season.

His life continues to reads like an inventory.

The best man at his wedding was Sir Stanley Matthews who he met and struck up a lifetime friendship with during the war.

"While I was training I was based in Blackpool and made a number of guest appearances for the side. We hit it off from the beginning."

He was a national record signing for Aston Villa in 1948 - £17,500 - and he ended his playing career player managing Port Vale and Bradford City.

He was coach and trainer of Don Revie’s emerging Leeds United side of the 1960s, was one of Bill Shankly’s successors at Carlisle (he was the first manager in the club’s history to win the side promotion) and moved to Bath City in 1964.

He became the University of Bath’s first football coach in 1970 and is now in his 34th year with the club.

Despite losing his wife, Joan, last year after 63 years of marriage, his enthusiasm for the game and his level gaze still probe new horizons - and the challenges that lie ahead.

"I’m not done yet. I thought I might be when I lost my good wife - but the enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed one jot.

"I’ve got to show my great-great-grandchild I’ve still got it in me, haven’t I?" he chuckles. "That - and we’ve got an FA Trophy game to win on Saturday."