Alfie Potter
Encyclopedia
Alfie James Potter is an English
footballer who plays for Oxford United
.
, after being released by Wimbledon
at the age of 14, then by Millwall
aged 17. Before joining Peterborough he spent a few months at the Barking Abbey Centre for Football Excellence, where he made several first-team appearances for Waltham Forest
in the Isthmian League
. He signed his first professional contract with Peterborough on 1 June 2007, signing a one-year deal.
He joined Grays Athletic
for a month's loan in September 2007. He made just one appearance, coming on as a substitute against Exeter City
.
In November 2007 he made a loan move to Conference South
side Havant & Waterlooville
, for the rest of the season. He played in Havant's 5–2 fourth-round FA Cup
defeat to Premier League side Liverpool
on 26 January 2008. Potter played a big part in Havant's second goal to put Havant 2–1 ahead when his shot took a deflection off Martin Škrtel
. For this feat, Potter was named "Player of the Round".
In December 2007, he was offered at new two-and-a-half year deal by Peterborough, and, on 29 January 2008, he was recalled from his loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville.
On 29 February 2008, Potter was loaned to Isthmian League Premier Division side AFC Wimbledon
, for a month. He made his first appearances for the Posh in the League upon his return. In July 2008, Potter was close to signing on loan for Conference National
newcomers Kettering Town
. However, Peterborough initially stalled the deal because of injury worries, but he finally completed his loan move to Kettering on 1 August 2008.
In May 2009, it was revealed that Lincoln City
had enquired about Potter and his team-mate Liam Hatch.
On 3 June 2009, Potter signed for Oxford United
on a season-long loan. He scored five goals in 20 Conference National
games as Oxford finished third and went on to win the playoff final 3–1 against York City
, his last-minute goal at Wembley Stadium
securing Oxford's return to the Football League after a four-year exile. At the end of the season he joined Oxford permanently for an undisclosed fee.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
.
Career
Potter came through the youth team ranks at Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, after being released by Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
at the age of 14, then by Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
aged 17. Before joining Peterborough he spent a few months at the Barking Abbey Centre for Football Excellence, where he made several first-team appearances for Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest F.C.
Waltham Forest F.C. are a football club from Walthamstow, who play in the Isthmian League First Division North. They have played under a number of names and were known as Leyton Pennant up until the end of the 2002–03 season.-History:...
in the Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
. He signed his first professional contract with Peterborough on 1 June 2007, signing a one-year deal.
He joined Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
for a month's loan in September 2007. He made just one appearance, coming on as a substitute against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
.
In November 2007 he made a loan move to Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
, for the rest of the season. He played in Havant's 5–2 fourth-round FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
defeat to Premier League side Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
on 26 January 2008. Potter played a big part in Havant's second goal to put Havant 2–1 ahead when his shot took a deflection off Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel is a Slovak footballer who plays in defence for Liverpool and the Slovakia national football team.-Biography:Škrtel was born in Handlová and raised in Ráztočno and began playing football at the age of six...
. For this feat, Potter was named "Player of the Round".
In December 2007, he was offered at new two-and-a-half year deal by Peterborough, and, on 29 January 2008, he was recalled from his loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville.
On 29 February 2008, Potter was loaned to Isthmian League Premier Division side AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
, for a month. He made his first appearances for the Posh in the League upon his return. In July 2008, Potter was close to signing on loan for Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
newcomers Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
. However, Peterborough initially stalled the deal because of injury worries, but he finally completed his loan move to Kettering on 1 August 2008.
In May 2009, it was revealed that Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
had enquired about Potter and his team-mate Liam Hatch.
On 3 June 2009, Potter signed for Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on a season-long loan. He scored five goals in 20 Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
games as Oxford finished third and went on to win the playoff final 3–1 against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
, his last-minute goal at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
securing Oxford's return to the Football League after a four-year exile. At the end of the season he joined Oxford permanently for an undisclosed fee.