| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1940-11-29)29 November 1940 | ||
| Place of birth | Cradley, England | ||
| Date of death | 23 July 2024(2024-07-23) (aged 83) | ||
| Place of death | Stourbridge, England | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper,inside forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 195?–1960 | Halesowen Town | ||
| 1960–1962 | Aston Villa | 6 | (0) |
| 1962–1966 | Doncaster Rovers | ||
| 1966–1971 | Burton Albion | ||
| 1971–1973 | Hereford United | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Fred Potter (29 November 1940 – 23 July 2024)[1] was an Englishfootballer who played as agoalkeeper.
Potter was born in Cradley Heath and played for his local side before signing forAston Villa in July 1959. Originally an inside forward, he made his debut as a goalkeeper, replacing the injuredNigel Sims in aLeague Cup tie away atPlymouth Argyle in December 1960[2][3] going on to play in three First Division games over the festive period whilst Sims was injured - including two derbies againstWolverhampton Wanderers and one FA Cup tie, againstPeterborough United.[4] Looking for first team football he signed forDoncaster Rovers in July 1962. He was a regular starter in the Fourth Division, making 124 league appearances.
In 1966 he moved down into non-league football withBurton Albion, winning the Player of the Year award for the 1969–70 season.John Charles, then manager ofHereford United, signed Potter in September 1970. Potter made 33 league appearances in 1970–71, with a further 27 in various cup competitions. Potter was the goalkeeper in Hereford's FA Cup run of 1971–72, notably defeatingNewcastle United in the Third Round. WhileRonnie Radford andRicky George wrote their names in the history books with their goals, Potter's 38 clean sheets that season saw him named Player of the Year.
Hereford were elected to the Football League for 1972–73 but Potter made only nine league appearances asDavid Icke's performances in goal kept him out of the starting eleven. Icke was forced to retire with arthritis in his knees, but Potter subsequently broke his leg on the opening day of the season. Now 33, he did not play for Hereford again.
Potter also worked in construction for Baldwin Durafencing, and from 1966 he lived inStourbridge nearKidderminster. Potter had three sons with his wife.
On 23 July 2024, it was announced that Potter had died at the age of 83.[5]
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