I don’t know if it’s been mentioned elsewhere on the board, but just sparing a thought for the gentle giant. Can’t believe it’s been 20 years to the day since he died. God bless big lad, one of the game’s true lovely men.

20 years, in a flash. I remember Roy making his debut, never a flashy player, but the hardest working I think I've seen. He was a great player then, but with today's fitness techniques and his build and engine I think he'd be a legend of a player now. Him and Medley were a great combination for us, and then Bradford.

I once met him and the other Bradford players in a night club after they'd beaten Wigan over there one Friday evening. Roy was an absolute gent, and the only person I've ever seen whose fingers met around the rim of a pint glass.

You're missed big man.

One of the best backrowers of his generation. Excelled at the highest level. Part of the GB team in 1988 that ended the run of wins for Australia and backed it up again in 1990. Part of the GB team won the Test series away in New Zealand in 1990. A great servant for us and for Leeds and Batley. Mainly noted for his defence but also had great hands and was extremely well disciplined in an era when headhunting was still pretty rife.

A lovely bloke too.

RIP Roy.

Roy will never be forgotten. An absolute grafter every week. In an era where most players came to Leeds to pick up a wage packet and not earn it Roy would be there doing his and their work with little or no complaint. He was superb tackler and was always 1st forward back to take the ball in.

A genuine and honest professional who gave his all every week for every team he played for.

How i wish the sport could attract more Roy Powell's to play the game nowadays.

Would have been a much better suited to today's game - you could argue he was before his time.

There were some quotes in the YEP article about it being 20 years ago from John Bentley calling Powell the 'nicest forward in the game' and stating he never saw him throw a punch - back then, for me, that was a big weakness in Roys game. Whilst he never took a backward step, the truly elite forwards of that era also had an element of intimidation - Roy just didn't have that in his armour, and that used to frustrate me.

In today's game, without the need for intimidation/retaliation, he'd have been outstanding. His athletic ability and work ethic would have put him in the top echelon of British forwards in the current game.

One of my favourite players from my youth. A great athlete, I recall reading an article where he said that he went for a jog on the morning of a game to "open up his lungs". I cannot imagine any other player of that time doing the same.
I remember reading the "away team" player profiles in a Widnes programme when they had a dig at him saying that he would be good on TV's Mastermind as there would be no passes. With that in mind I was not that surprised that Doug Laughton sold him. However, he did have an offload in him on occasions and in particular I remember him sending Ray Ashton over for a try in a win at Castleford in 1987 when every point was crucial as we were in danger of being relegated. He also scored himself that day in a magnificent performance.
We used to see him out for a beer in town after matches (usually with his best mate Carl Gibson close by) and although I did not know him personally he truly seemed like a nice guy.
RIP Roy.

What a player - he made the very most of his abilities. A true gentleman an absolute credit to himself his family and the game

I was once at Naughton Park and Northern were coming out of the tunnel. I had my face pressed against the plastic and Roy gave it a love tap right opposite my nose. The whole thing shook for about 30 seconds. 7/8 year old me absolutely jumped out of my skin and left a brown stain in my Y Fronts.