Aston Villa is saddened to hear of the passing of former player Fred Potter, who has died at the age of 83.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Fred’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Born in November 1940, goalkeeper Potter played for his local club Cradley Heath as an inside-forward before joining Villa in 1959.
He made his first-team debut as a stand-in for the injured Nigel Sims in a League Cup tie at Plymouth Argyle in December 1960, and also played three First Division games over the festive season, including two derbies against Wolves.
Potter also replaced Sims for two FA Cup fourth-round ties against Peterborough United in 1961, although the 2-1 replay win at Villa Park was his final senior game before he joined Doncaster Rovers the following year.
A decade later, he was a member of the Hereford United team who famously beat Newcastle United in an FA Cup third-round replay at Edgar Street.
While Ronnie Radford and Ricky George grabbed the headlines with the Bulls’ goals against the Magpies, Potter was voted Hereford’s Player of the Year after keeping 38 clean sheets that season.
Rest in Peace, Fred.
