A Johl-ly good addition
New signing midfielder Johl Powell has said he is ready to make the step up having jumped two tiers to become Yeovil Town’s third signing of the summer.
The 25-year-old playmaker signed a two-year deal at Huish Park following his departure from Walton & Hersham at the weekend having scored 21 goals in 39 league appearances on the way to the Southern League Premier Division South title.
He links up with fellow new boy Mason Obeng, who he played alongside at Walton and joined the Glovers just over a week ago, and manager Billy Rowley, who he played under for much of his two-and-a-half years at Walton.
Speaking to the club’s social media on Monday, Powell said: “It is such a massive football club and even driving in to the stadium you get a sense of that, it is just amazing. The size of the club and having worked with Billy (Rowley), having worked with him before at my previous club, I have got a good relationship with him and played the best football of my career so far under him.
“I am a box-to-box midfielder, I like to arrive late and score goals, create chances and I think my numbers have proven that over the last few years. That is what I am looking forward to coming here and do. Obviously it is a step up for me, but it’s a challenge I am really looking forward to. Hopefully I can hit the ground running and start scoring goals in front of this crowd at Huish Park.”
The playmaker, who is comfortable in midfield or attack, was named the Swans’ Supporters’ Player of the Year in May following a season which saw them win promotion to National League South and reach the fifth round of the FA Trophy. He scored 21 goals in 39 league appearances last season, having got in to the double figures the previous two campaigns.
He added: “The system Billy likes to play suits me down to a tee, he knows how to get the best out of me. The numbers of goals I have got these last few season is down to myself but down to him as well. So hopefully I can get more goals, more assists and help the team do well in the season.
“In the short term I just want to get myself in the team as quickly as I can and then longer term get the club up the league, push towards the play-offs and get it back in to the Football League where it belongs.”
Powell has youth team experience with both Millwall and Charlton Athletic making an appearance in the EFL Trophy for the Addicks in the 2020/21 season, and was a National League South champion with Maidstone United in 2021/22. He has also played for Tonbridge Angels and Dover Athletic.
Following the arrival of Obeng and midfielder Zain Westbrooke at the end of May, it appears the transfer business is far from done with the club suggesting a number of signings are still to come including defender Joe Gubbins, who has been heavily linked with a move to Somerset after his departure from Southend United was announced yesterday.
On Monday night, the club’s social media posted to suggest there are more new arrivals inbound……
