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Archived News from February 2017

STAGS SIGN ALFIE POTTER
4th February 2017 10:35


Stags secure signature of League Two title winner
mansfieldtown.net, 31st January 2017

We are delighted to announce the signing of former Northampton Town midfielder Alfie Potter on a permanent basis.

The Sky Bet League Two title-winner becomes Steve Evans' second Deadline Day signing following the confirmation of winger Alex MacDonald's transfer earlier today.

The 28-year-old midfielder was part of the Northampton Town squad which ran away with League Two last season, making 26 appearances in all competitions.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/stags-secure-signature-of-league-two-winner-3546128.aspx#LRE2IupUluoA70sf.99

Potter had spells with both AFC Wimbledon and Millwall as a youngster before joining the youth setup at Peterborough United in 2007.

Turning professional with the Posh, he had numerous loan spells with the likes of Havant and Waterlooville, Kettering Town and AFC Wimbledon.

Whilst with Havant and Waterlooville, Potter scored the part-timers’ second goal as they gave Liverpool a scare in the FA Cup in 2008, before eventually losing 5-2. Potter was then named as the Player of the Round for his performance at Anfield.

His final loan spell whilst at Posh was with Oxford United, with whom he signed permanently in 2010 after impressing during a year-long loan.

He scored six goals during his loan at the Kassam Stadium, including a last-minute strike in the Conference play-off final as the U’s won promotion back to the EFL after defeating York City 3-1 at Wembley.

He subsequently signed permanently for the U’s following promotion to the EFL and flourished in the next two seasons under Chris Wilder before suffering a broken ankle in February 2012.

London-born Potter returned for the start of the 2012/13 season and he finished that campaign with a career-best 10 league goals to his name.

Potter left Oxford in January 2015 and joined former club AFC Wimbledon until the end of the season.

Following the conclusion of the 2014/15 campaign, Potter joined Northampton Town and was reunited with former manager Chris Wilder, with whom he worked at Oxford United.

Potter enjoyed great success at Sixfields, winning his second promotion of his career as the Cobblers finished the 2015/16 season 13 points clear of second-placed Oxford.

Manager Steve Evans says he is pleased to get the signing of Potter over the line, a player who he has admired for a long time.

"It’s taken the best part of probably three years to sign this young man because I tried to sign him when I was at Rotherham United on two occasions but we couldn’t get it over the line for different reasons,” the Stags’ boss said.

"I made an approach to Northampton prior to the transfer window opening and had a good chat with the technical director Andy Melville and we understood that Alfie might be becoming available.

"We’ve worked hard to get him here, so a massive thank you to John Radford (chairman) and Carolyn Radford (chief executive officer) who have been simply fantastic.

"I met Alfie for what was meant to be an initial meeting lasting half-an-hour for a general chat, and it turned into a three hour chat about football, and only football. It was a wonderful talk about football, full of enthusiasm, so we’re delighted that he said ‘yes’ despite a significant interest [from other clubs] in the kid.

"He was a big part of the success at Northampton last year and has been a big success in the early parts at Oxford United.

"He’s a player who can play in either wide areas of the pitch or centrally off a striker, and he’s technically magnificent - and I use that word appropriately. It’s my job to make sure I get that ability out of him on a weekly basis.

"He has come in the door here to add to what has already proven to be a good group.

The manager added: “There has never been a day since my initial discussions with chairman John Radford and chief executive Carolyn Radford where it has been more evident of how successful they want their football club to be.

“At several times in the last 24 hours, I thought our latest two recruits, Alex MacDonald and Alfie Potter were not going to happen, but the support from the family who own this football club has been overwhelming to me as the manager.

“I am grateful for their support, not only now, but through my time since I joined the club. I look forward to trying to produce a team which they and our supporters can be proud of as we go forward into the second and most crucial part of the season.”

The signing of Alfie Potter is subject to EFL ratification.

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Potter reveals in his interview on StagsPlayerHD that he's here for the next 18 months.

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Gaffer's vision enticed me to sign - Potter
mansfieldtown.net, 31st January 2017

Stags’ second deadline day signing Alfie Potter has lauded manager Steve Evans’ influence in his decision to sign for the club.

We announced the signing of 28-year-old Potter earlier this evening from Northampton Town as the boss adds the finishing touches to his squad ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.

And the London-born attacking midfielder says the prospect of working with nine-time promotion-winning boss Steve Evans made it an easy decision to sign a deal at One Call Stadium.

“This is going to be a club moving forward now and he’s (Steve Evans) shown a real interest in wanting me. He was the one that showed the most interest in me really and there’s nothing better than feeling wanted - it was an easy decision to make," Potter said.

“I spoke to other clubs but for me, football-wise, this was the easiest decision anyway.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/gaffers-vision-enticed-me-to-sign-potter-3548376.aspx#ChSM29mz6xTxVLTX.99

“I met the gaffer last week and within 10 minutes, I knew I wanted to sign. It was just a matter of getting back down to London, speaking to my family, talking it through with them and once they were fine with it, it was ‘let’s get it done’.

“The gaffer’s spoken about how he wants to play and I think his formation and how he goes about things, it’s going to really suit me.”

The former Oxford United man says he has endured a frustrating season at Sixfields thus far, but is now itching to get a consistent run of games for the Stags.

“The new manager came in at Northampton and obviously brought his own ideas with him and I’ve had to be patient and wait for a chance there and there’s been times when I’ve been given a chance and I’ve taken it and still not remained in the side.

“Managers bring in their own players and their own ideas and sometimes your face doesn’t fit so I couldn’t wait for the January window so I could go out and get some minutes really. As soon as I heard Mansfield were interested, I always knew I was coming here.

“It’s been a while since I had a consistent run of games and I know when I do get a run of games, I know the level I can get back to.”

Potter played a role in Northampton’s Sky Bet League Two title triumph last season and he says he can see similarities between the squad at Sixfields and the camp inside One Call Stadium.

“First and foremost, last year when we got promoted at Northampton, we had an unbelievable team spirit and all the boys were together pulling in the same direction.

“Having spoken to a few of the boys here already, it’s the same here. Obviously the manager knows this level and knows what’s required so he’s putting a squad together that can implement the way he wants to play and like he’s shown before, I’m sure he will bring success to this club.”

Speaking exclusively to Stags PlayerHD after signing, Potter says he is looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd after experiencing what it’s like to be an away team at One Call Stadium.

“It’s always been a tough place. I don’t actually know if I’ve won here before. I’d much rather be playing for the home side than the away side here.

“I’ve had a couple of Tuesday night games here and the atmosphere’s always been unbelievable.”

Supporters can view Alfie Potter’s exclusive interview with Stags PlayerHD by logging in here.

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Easy decision for Potter to join Stags
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Tuesday 31 January 2017

New Mansfield Town midfielder Alfie Potter said it took him just 10 minutes to agree to sign once he knew he was wanted by Steve Evans.

After helping Northampton to promotion last season, Potter has found himself out the first team picture recently and now can’t wait to get started at One Call Stadium. “There’s nothing better than feeling wanted - it was an easy decision to make,” he said. “Steve Evans’ record speaks for itself at previous clubs anyway and you can see the results here since he took over “This is going to be a club moving forward now and he’s shown a real interest in wanting me. “He was the one that showed the most interest in me really and there’s nothing better than feeling wanted, so it was an easy decision to make. “I spoke to other clubs but for me, football-wise, this was the easiest decision.” He added: “I met the gaffer last week and within 10 minutes, I knew I wanted to sign. It was just a matter of getting back down to London, speaking to my family, talking it through with them and once they were fine with it, it was ‘let’s get it done’.

“I am pleased to get it all sorted and I can’t wait to get started now - it’s been a while since I played a bit of football.”

So what Stags fans expect from Potter? “First and foremost I work hard,” he said.

“I think that’s a given anyway for a professional footballer.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/deadline-day-easy-decision-for-potter-to-join-stags-1-8364404

“I like to get on the ball, I like to try to make things happen. At times I give it away but I’m not going to shy away from it.

“I will try to create things and I want to start adding more goals to my game.

“The gaffer’s spoken about how he wants to play and I think his formation and how he goes about things, it’s going to really suit me.

“I am fairly comfortable across any of the attacking positions.”

Potter said this wasn’t the first approach from the Stags for his services.

“I have come close to signing for Mansfield a couple of times before really, but for one reason or another it didn’t happen,” he said.

“This is a club and a team going in the right direction and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

“I know five or six of the players already which is a help.”

Potter played a big part in Northampton’s promotion last season and can see similarities between the squads.

“First and foremost, last year when we got promoted at Northampton, we had an unbelievable team spirit and all the boys were together pulling in the same direction,” he said.

“Having spoken to a few of the boys here already, it’s the same here.

“Obviously the manager knows this level and knows what’s required so he’s putting a squad together that can implement the way he wants to play and like he’s shown before, I’m sure he will bring success to this club.”

After his time at Northampton turned sour, he admitted he couldn’t wait for the window to open.

He said: “The new manager came in at Northampton and obviously brought his own ideas with him and I’ve had to be patient and wait for a chance there, and there’s been times when I’ve been given a chance and I’ve taken it and still not remained in the side.

“It’s one of those things. Managers bring in their own players and their own ideas and sometimes your face doesn’t fit.

“So I couldn’t wait for the January window so I could go out and get some minutes. As soon as I heard Mansfield were interested, I always knew I was coming here.

“It’s always been a tough place. I don’t actually know if I’ve won here before. I’d much rather be playing for the home side than the away side here.

“It’s been a while since I had a consistent run of games and I know when I do get a run of games, I know the level I can get back to.”

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Midfielder Alfie Potter has contract cancelled and swaps Cobblers for Mansfield
northamptonchron.co.uk, by JEREMY CASEY, Tuesday 31 January 2017

Midfielder Alfie Potter has left the Cobblers after having his contract cancelled by mutual consent.

The former Oxford United man has seen his first team opportunities restricted at Sixfields, and after discussing his situation with manager Justin Edinburgh, has left the club and signed for Sky Bet League Two side Mansfield Town.

Potter was signed by Chris Wilder on a two year deal in the summer of 2015, and although his time at the Cobblers has been plagued by a series of niggling injuries, he did make 26 appearances in the league two title winning campaign.

The 28-year-old found himself out of favour under Rob Page this season, making just three starts in league one, and with Edinburgh unable to reassure him that he will be getting more game time in the coming months, he has decided to move on.

“Alfie’s chances this season have been a bit limited,” said the Cobblers boss.

“He came to me in the early part of last week, and asked it it would be possible, if he wasn’t going to be getting a regular place in the team, that could he possibly leave the club or try and get himself fixed up.

“I couldn’t guarantee him a place in the team, so we have allowed him to leave and we wish him all the best.

“Alfie is at a period in his career where he needs to be playing on a regular basis, and I feel he will get that opportunity in the next chapter of his career.

“We thought it was the right decision for both parties, and I am sure Alfie will go on and do very well.”

In all, Potter made 21 starts and 21 substitute appearances during his 18 month stay at the Cobblers, scoring just once, which was the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Stevenage in October, 2015.

Potter’s most recent start was in the 1-0 win at Oxford United on Boxing Day, but that was the first time he had been selected for a league game since the 0-0 draw at Oldham Athletic on August 16.

Potter joins another of last season’s league two title winners at Field Mill, with Joel Byrom having signed for the Stags on New Year’s Day.

Read more at: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/midfielder-alfie-potter-has-contract-cancelled-and-swaps-cobblers-for-mansfield-1-7800380

Mansfield boss Steve Evans is delighted to sign a player he has long admired, and said: “It’s taken the best part of probably three years to sign this young man because I tried to sign him when I was at Rotherham United on two occasions but we couldn’t get it over the line for different reasons.

“I made an approach to Northampton prior to the transfer window opening and had a good chat with the technical director Andy Melville and we understood that Alfie might be becoming available.

“We’ve worked hard to get him here, so a massive thank you to John Radford (chairman) and Carolyn Radford (chief executive officer) who have been simply fantastic.

“I met Alfie for what was meant to be an initial meeting lasting half-an-hour for a general chat, and it turned into a three hour chat about football, and only football. It was a wonderful talk about football, full of enthusiasm, so we’re delighted that he said ‘yes’ despite a significant interest [from other clubs] in the kid.

“He was a big part of the success at Northampton last year and has been a big success in the early parts at Oxford United. “He’s a player who can play in either wide areas of the pitch or centrally off a striker, and he’s technically magnificent - and I use that word appropriately. It’s my job to make sure I get that ability out of him on a weekly basis.

“He has come in the door here to add to what has already proven to be a good group.

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twitter
John Radford @JRadfordMTFC
Another good acquisition with League 2 title winning experience.
Hugely excited for part 2 of this season.
Welcome, Alfie.
COYS!!!!!

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Latest | February 2017