Josanne Potter
Encyclopedia
Josanne "Jo" Potter is an English female international football midfielder from Mansfield Woodhouse
. A left–winger, she currently plays her club football for Birmingham City Ladies
in the FA WSL. At club level Potter is noted for her crossing abilities and goalscoring record. She has played in two FA Women's Cup
finals – with Arsenal in 2004, and Charlton Athletic in 2007. On the international stage, she has often had to compete with Rachel Yankey
and Sue Smith
for a place in the England
team.
Since 2007 Potter has worked as a BBC
television football pundit.
, Potter began her career at Chesterfield centre of excellence. She was with Sheffield Wednesday in 2001-2002, before signing for Birmingham City
.
By 2004 she was playing for Arsenal
then signed for Charlton Athletic
in summer 2005. When Charlton ditched their ladies team in 2007, Potter moved on to Everton
, then returned to Birmingham City in January 2009.
With Birmingham not playing until the FA Women's Super League in March 2011, Potter signed for Leicester City
in summer 2010.
on 4 October 2002.
She was called up to the senior team for the first time for a friendly against Nigeria
in April 2004, while playing for Arsenal. But she had to pull out due to a back injury. In September 2004 she featured as a substitute in two friendlies against the Netherlands
.
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. She scored against Hungary
during England's record 13-0 win in October 2005. Potter withdrew from the World Cup qualifying play-off against France
in September 2006 with damaged ankle ligaments. However, she returned to the team for the 1-0 friendly win over Scotland
in March 2007.
squad, Potter worked for the BBC as an expert analyst in their tournament coverage. She has continued to work for the BBC on their women's football coverage.
She is also an FA skills coach, based in Sheffield
.
Mansfield Woodhouse
Mansfield Woodhouse is a large village about 2 kilometres north of Mansfield itself, in Nottinghamshire, England. With a history dating back before the Romans, it is still noteworthy for its stone built town centre...
. A left–winger, she currently plays her club football for Birmingham City Ladies
Birmingham City L.F.C.
Birmingham City L.F.C. is a semi-professional English Women's football club who are affiliated to Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at Knights Lane, the home of Stratford Town F.C., and were named as founder members of the FA Women's Super League which started in 2011.-History:The...
in the FA WSL. At club level Potter is noted for her crossing abilities and goalscoring record. She has played in two FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
finals – with Arsenal in 2004, and Charlton Athletic in 2007. On the international stage, she has often had to compete with Rachel Yankey
Rachel Yankey
Rachel Abba Yankey, MBE is an English football player. She plays for the English side Arsenal, and for the England national team. She plays as a left-winger or forward, and wears the number 11 for Arsenal and England. She is of Ghanaian descent, from her father's side.Yankey is the most-capped...
and Sue Smith
Sue Smith (footballer)
Susan Jane "Sue" Smith is an international footballer, currently playing for Lincoln Ladies and England. She is an experienced left-sided winger or forward.-Club career:...
for a place in the England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
team.
Since 2007 Potter has worked as a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television football pundit.
Club career
While attending The Manor SchoolThe Manor School
The Manor School is a co-educational comprehensive secondary school in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire. It has a sports college specialism....
, Potter began her career at Chesterfield centre of excellence. She was with Sheffield Wednesday in 2001-2002, before signing for Birmingham City
Birmingham City L.F.C.
Birmingham City L.F.C. is a semi-professional English Women's football club who are affiliated to Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at Knights Lane, the home of Stratford Town F.C., and were named as founder members of the FA Women's Super League which started in 2011.-History:The...
.
By 2004 she was playing for Arsenal
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
then signed for Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
in summer 2005. When Charlton ditched their ladies team in 2007, Potter moved on to Everton
Everton L.F.C.
Everton Ladies Football Club are a semi-professional women's association football team from the city of Liverpool, who compete in the FA WSL. They were runners-up to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier League National Division season. They have won the title once in 1998 and the FA Women's Cup on...
, then returned to Birmingham City in January 2009.
With Birmingham not playing until the FA Women's Super League in March 2011, Potter signed for Leicester City
Leicester City W.F.C.
Leicester City Women Football Club is an English women's football club affiliated with Leicester City F.C.. The club is distinct from Leicester City Ladies Football Club who play at Midland Combination level. LCWFC currently play in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division...
in summer 2010.
International career
Potter played for England at U16 level. She helped England U19s qualify for the 2003 European Championship finals, scoring twice in 90 seconds against BulgariaBulgaria women's national football team
The Bulgaria national women’s football team is the national football team of Bulgaria and is controlled by the Bulgarian Football Union.-World Cup record:-Current squad:-External links:*...
on 4 October 2002.
She was called up to the senior team for the first time for a friendly against Nigeria
Nigeria women's national football team
The Nigeria national women's football team, nicknamed the Super Falcons, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation...
in April 2004, while playing for Arsenal. But she had to pull out due to a back injury. In September 2004 she featured as a substitute in two friendlies against the Netherlands
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
.
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. She scored against Hungary
Hungary women's national football team
The Hungary women's national football team represents Hungary in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.-World Cup record:- European Championship record :*1984 : Did Not Enter*1987 : Did not qualify...
during England's record 13-0 win in October 2005. Potter withdrew from the World Cup qualifying play-off against France
France women's national football team
The French women's national football team represents France in international women's football. The team is directed by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer...
in September 2006 with damaged ankle ligaments. However, she returned to the team for the 1-0 friendly win over Scotland
Scotland women's national football team
The Scotland women's national football team represents Scotland in international women's football. They have yet to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships and are currently ranked 23rd in the world and 14th in Europe....
in March 2007.
International goals
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored 1 27 October 2005 Tapolca TapolcaTapolca is a town in Veszprém county, Hungary, close to Lake Balaton. It is located at around .The town has a separate district approximately 5 km to the East called Tapolca-Diszel.- The Lake Cave :...
13–0 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1
Media career
After missing out on a place in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007FIFA Women's World Cup 2007
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 was an international association football competition for women held in China from September 10, 2007 – September 30, 2007. Originally, China was to host the 2003 Women's World Cup, but the outbreak of SARS in that country forced that event to be moved to the United...
squad, Potter worked for the BBC as an expert analyst in their tournament coverage. She has continued to work for the BBC on their women's football coverage.
She is also an FA skills coach, based in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
.