Former Hereford United Giantkiller Fred Potter has passed away at the age of 83.
Potter was born in Cradley Heath and played for his local side before signing for Aston Villa in July 1959. Originally an inside forward, he made his debut on Boxing Day 1959 and made three appearances in total in the First Division.
Looking for first team football he signed for Doncaster 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 with Burton Albion, winning the Player of the Year award for the 1969-70 season. John Charles, then manager of Hereford 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 defeating Newcastle United in the Third Round.
While Ronnie Radford and Ricky George wrote their names in the history books with their goals.
The Bulls would be knocked out of the competition by West Ham 3-1 in the following round in a replay played on 14th February 1972.
Potter’s 38 clean sheets that season saw him named Player of the Year. Hereford’s cup exploits were the main reason that the club would then be elected into the Football League at the expense of Barrow.
Hereford were elected to the Football League for the 1972-73 season, but Potter made only nine league appearances and would later retire due to a broken leg.
Potter would be a regular at Hereford United reunions. He is featured in the 25 year anniversary video in 1997.
He suffered with ill health in his later years, but returned to Edgar Street for the 50 year anniversary in February 2022 and with the aid of crutches was able to make it to the pitch alongside commercial manager Martin Brain and his former Hereford United colleague Tony Gough.
Photos supplied by MH Archive and Bulls News
