Jo Potter

For those of a similar name, see Joe Potter (disambiguation).

Jo Potter
Potter playing for Birmingham City in 2012
Personal information
Full name Josanne Potter[1]
Date of birth (1984-11-13) 13 November 1984 (age 40)[1]
Place of birth Mansfield, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder, Centre Back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2001 Chesterfield
2001–2002 Sheffield Wednesday
2002–2003 Birmingham City
2003–2004 Arsenal
2004–2005 Birmingham City
2005–2007 Charlton Athletic
2007–2009 Everton
2010 Leicester City W.F.C. 6 (3)
2011–2016 Birmingham City L.F.C. 77 (8)
2016 Notts County 10 (1)
2017–2020 Reading 46 (0)
International career‡
2004–2018 England 35 (3)
Managerial career
2023- Rangers
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  England
FIFA Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Canada
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2020 (UTC+1)[2]
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 May 2018 (UTC)

Josanne Potter (born 13 November 1984) is an English Association football Manager (association football) and former footballer who played as a midfielder, most recently for Reading.[3] Originally a left-winger, she matured into a creative central midfield player. At club level Potter enjoyed three separate spells at Birmingham City Ladies and was noted for her crossing abilities and goalscoring record.[4] She played in three FA Women's Cup finals – with Arsenal in 2004,[5] Charlton Athletic in 2007[6] and Birmingham City in 2012. On the international stage, she often had to compete with Rachel Yankey and Sue Smith for a place on the left flank of the England team.[4][7] After 2007 Potter worked as a BBC television football pundit. In June 2023, Potter was appointed the head coach of Rangers W.F.C.

Club career

While attending The Manor School,[8] Potter began her career at Chesterfield centre of excellence.[9] She was with Sheffield Wednesday in 2001–2002, before signing for Birmingham City.[10]

By 2004 she was playing for Arsenal then signed for Charlton Athletic in summer 2005.[11] When Charlton ditched their ladies team in 2007, Potter moved on to Everton, then returned to Birmingham City in January 2009.[12]

With Birmingham not playing until the FA Women's Super League in March 2011, Potter signed a short-term deal with Leicester City in summer 2010.[13]

In May 2013 Potter's excellent form with Birmingham, playing in a central midfield role, led to manager David Parker demanding that she be given another chance at international level.[14] In June 2016, Potter and teammate Jade Moore both bought out the last six months of their Birmingham City contracts and left the club as free agents. Despite the players' long service, a statement on Birmingham City Ladies' website called the development "an excellent deal for the club".[15]

Later that month Potter and Moore joined Notts County on short-term deals until the end of the 2016 FA WSL season.[16] Less than a year later, however, the club folded before the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series.[17] Becoming a free agent, Potter joined Reading along with teammates Jade Moore and Kirsty Linnett in May 2017.[18] On 8 June 2020, Reading announced that Potter had left the club after her contract had expired.[19]

She announced her retirement from football in January 2021.[20][21]

Managerial career

On 22 June 2023, Potter was appointed manager of Scottish Women's Premier League club Rangers.[22]

International career

Potter played for England at U16 level.[9] She helped England U19s qualify for the 2003 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship finals, scoring twice in 90 seconds against Bulgaria on 4 October 2002.[23]

She was called up to the senior team for the first time for a friendly against Nigeria in April 2004, while playing for Arsenal.[24] But she had to pull out due to a back injury.[25] In September 2004 she featured as a substitute in two friendlies against the Netherlands.[26]

Potter narrowly missed out on selection for UEFA Women's Euro 2005, but was recalled straight after the tournament following impressive performances for the U21 team.[27] She scored against Hungary during England's record 13–0 win in October 2005.[28] Potter withdrew from the World Cup qualifying play-off against France in September 2006 with damaged ankle ligaments.[29] However, she returned to the team for the 1–0 friendly win over Scotland in March 2007.[30]

After a seven-year absence from the England team, Potter was recalled by coach Mark Sampson for a friendly with Sweden in August 2014. She scored her second goal for England in September 2014, during a 10–0 win in Montenegro.[31] In May 2015, Sampson named Potter in his final squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the team finished a historic third.[32] Potter was named to her second consecutive major tournament finals squad when Sampson selected her to his UEFA Women's Euro 2017 squad in April 2017.[33]

Potter was allotted 156 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[34][35]

International goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Scored Result Competition
1 27 October 2005 Tapolca Stadium, Tapolca, Hungary  Hungary 10–0 13–0 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
2 17 September 2014 Stadion Pod Malim Brdom, Petrovac, Montenegro  Montenegro 10–0 10–0 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
3 21 September 2015 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia 2–0 8–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying

Media career

After missing out on a place in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 squad, Potter worked for the BBC as an expert analyst in their tournament coverage.[36] She continued to work for the BBC on their women's football coverage.[37]

Potter also worked as a Football Association skills coach, based in Sheffield.[38] In 2015 Potter was employed by teammate Jade Moore, who had her own sports therapy business.[39]

Managerial statistics

As of 25 August 2024

Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Rangers Women Scotland 22 June 2023 present 45 39 4 2 086.67
Total 45 39 4 2 086.67

Honours

Club

Birmingham City

Managerial honours

Rangers

2023–24[41]

International

England

References

  1. ^ a b c "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: List of players: England" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Josanne Potter". Soccer Way. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Josanne's cup of woe". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Josanne Potter". Charlton Athletic FC. Retrieved 14 September 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Tony Leighton (3 May 2004). "Arsenal lift women's Cup". TheFA.com. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  6. ^ Stuart Mawhinney (7 May 2007). "Arsenal clinch quadruple". TheFA.com. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  7. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™: List of Players: England" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Under 16's page". Chesterfield FC Ladies. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  9. ^ a b "Chesterfield F.C. Girl's centre of excellence". Chesterfield FC Ladies. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  10. ^ "Squad info 2002–2003". Sheffield Wednesday Ladies. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  11. ^ Sue Prior (7 August 2005). "New signings impress in 8–0 victory". Charlton Athletic FC. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  12. ^ Polly C (16 January 2009). "Potter Returns To Birmingham". Fair Game. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  13. ^ "New Leicester boss strengthening squad". Women's Soccer Scene. 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  14. ^ Polly C (29 May 2013). "Birmingham City Ladies: Jo Potter 'deserves England recall'". BBC. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Birmingham City Ladies: Jade Moore and Jo Potter leave Damson Park". BBC Sport. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  16. ^ "Notts County Ladies: Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Lizzie Durack sign". BBC Sport. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Notts County Ladies: WSL 1 club fold on eve of Spring Series season". BBC. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  18. ^ "Reading Women: Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Kirsty Linnett join for Spring Series". BBC. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  19. ^ "🙏 Reading FC Women issue thanks as out of contract players depart". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  20. ^ Frith, Wilf (7 January 2021). "Jo Potter announces her retirement". She Kicks. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Jo Potter: Former England and Reading midfielder retires". BBC Sport. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  22. ^ "RANGERS ANNOUNCE JO POTTER AS WOMEN'S FIRST-TEAM HEAD COACH". Rangers F.C. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  23. ^ "England girls hit Bulgaria for five". TheFA.com. 4 October 2002. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  24. ^ "Powell names squad". TheFA.com. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  25. ^ "England u21 star Sidwell urges support for national women's team". Reading FC. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  26. ^ "International Matches (Women) 2004". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  27. ^ "Potter's magical day". TheFA.com. 24 August 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  28. ^ "England Women ease to biggest win". BBC. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  29. ^ "Couldn't be more thrilled". TheFA.com. 19 September 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  30. ^ Matt Wright (11 March 2007). "Potter back for England". Charlton Athletic FC. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  31. ^ "Women's Player of the Year contender: Jo Potter". The Football Association. 21 December 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  32. ^ Lavery, Glenn (11 May 2015). "England squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  33. ^ "Nikita Parris in England Euro 2017 women squad but Eniola Aluko misses out". BBC. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  34. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  35. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  36. ^ Lance Hardy (7 September 2007). "Women's world cup coverage". BBC. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  37. ^ Lance Hardy (10 September 2010). "Women's football returns to the BBC". BBC. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  38. ^ "Skills coaches". TheFA.com. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  39. ^ Aloia, Andrew (7 October 2015). "Jade Moore: How heart surgery prompted England star's life plan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  40. ^ "FA Cup Final throwback: Birmingham topple Chelsea in 2012 thriller". The FA. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Rangers Women 4-1 Partick Thistle Women: Jo Potter's side retain Sky Sports Cup with comfortable win at Tynecastle". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  42. ^ "Rangers mount late comeback to win Glasgow Cup over Celtic". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023. Rangers put down an early season marker after retaining the Glasgow Cup with a last gasp winner at Broadwood yesterday afternoon.
  43. ^ "Match for third place - Match report" (PDF). FIFA. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
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