Altrincham sign a former Champions League winner

Yes you read that headline right, National League newcomers Altrincham sign up a former Champions League winner this week.

He started out as a Liverpool schoolboy captain and then was picked up by the Liverpool Academy, before going on to make first team appearances in the top competitions.

That man is midfielder Darren Potter, who then went out on loan to Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016.

Liverpool FC
Local Lad
Darren Potter pic.twitter.com/wpj3VpMbdB

— Superb Footy Pics (@SuperbFootyPics) July 15, 2019

He signed a deal at Molineux, though went out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, lasted two years at Wolves before leaving for the Owls permanent, in what turned out to be a much better spell for him, scoring 8 goals in 96 games.

Milton Keynes Dons signed him up in 2011, made over 200 appearances and scored 9 goals before leaving in 2017.

He was a runner up with MK in the 2014/15 season, was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year, MK Dons Player of the Year in 2011/12 as well as the MK Dons Players’ Player of the Year the same year.

Since 2017, he’s played for the likes of Rotherham United and Tranmere Rovers however has struggled to make over 20 appearances for each club.

With the Millers, he suffered an achilles injury which required two operations. He spent much of the 2018/19 season out.

We’re delighted to announce the signing of vastly experienced midfielder Darren Potter, who joins Alty on a short-term deal.

ℹ️ https://t.co/3Fzxhb3fZR pic.twitter.com/28HV3RFN7f

— Altrincham FC (@altrinchamfc) October 22, 2020

ALTRINCHAM STATEMENT:

Phil Parkinson has bolstered his midfield options by snapping up vastly-experienced former Republic of Ireland international Darren Potter on a short-term deal.

The 35-year old one-time Liverpool midfielder joins Altrincham after leaving Tranmere Rovers and is eligible for Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against AFC Fylde at Mill Farm.

It is a timely addition to a key area, with Sean Williams nursing an ankle injury picked up in the 1-1 draw at Eastleigh, and the Liverpool-born midfielder is sure to increase competition for places in the Alty engine room, as he looks to extend a long, distinguished career.

Released by Everton at 15, Potter joined Liverpool from Blackburn’s Academy in 2001 and went on to make 17 appearances for his home club, mainly in the League Cup or Champions’ League qualifying rounds.

He had spells with Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday, where he was an ever-present in their 2009-10 Championship campaign, and he then went on to make over 100 appearances for MK Dons before joining Rotherham United, where an injury-disrupted two-year stay was followed by a move to Tranmere on a 12-month deal in June last year.

He has now accepted the chance to prove his worth in Alty colours, wearing squad number 27, and everyone at The J.Davidson Stadium extends a warm welcome to him.

Shirts all sorted!! pic.twitter.com/9hGd2dwiaq

— Ian Senior (@SKkits2) October 22, 2020

DARREN POTTER’S CAREER:

2003–2007 – Liverpool – 17 apps
2006 → Southampton (loan) – 10 apps (0 goals)
2006 → Wolves (loan) – 40 apps (0 goals)
2007–2009 – Wolves – 56 apps (0 goals)
2009 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) – 17 apps (2 goals)
2009–2011 – Sheffield Wednesday – 96 apps (8 goals)
2011–2017 – Milton Keynes Dons – 228 apps (9 goals)
2017–2019 – Rotherham United – 17 apps (0 goals)
2019–2020 – Tranmere Rovers – 11 apps (0 goals)
2020– Altrincham

National team
2007–2008 – Republic of Ireland – 5 apps (0 goals)

During his time at Tranmere, he said on coming back from injury: “Within myself, I feel really good. It’s been a frustrating 18 months for me, and one I’ve never experienced before in my career. So, to experience it at this end of my career has been a bit strange. I am a positive person, that’s certainly behind me now and I just want to move forward with the times.

“I’ve settled in really well. The lads have been great, the staff have been good, there’s a good feel around the club. I want to get more minutes under my belt and play more games, and hopefully we can start picking up some more results and get further up the table.”

Huge good luck to him, as he goes into Altrincham’s league season hoping to get them off the bottom of the National League table following a tough start to life.