Jo Potter

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jo Potter

| image = Josanne Potter, BCLFC.jpg

| image_size = 220

| caption = Potter playing for Birmingham City in 2012

| fullname = Josanne Potter{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: List of players: England |publisher=FIFA|page=10 |date=6 July 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|11|13|df=y}}

| birth_place = Mansfield, England

| height = {{convert|1.74|m|order=flip}}

| position = Midfielder, Centre Back

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| years1 = 1999–2001

| clubs1 = Chesterfield

| years2 = 2001–2002

| clubs2 = Sheffield Wednesday

| years3 = 2002–2003

| clubs3 = Birmingham City

| years4 = 2003–2004

| clubs4 = Arsenal

| years5 = 2004–2005

| clubs5 = Birmingham City

| years6 = 2005–2007

| clubs6 = Charlton Athletic

| years7 = 2007–2009

| clubs7 = Everton

| years8 = 2010

| clubs8 = Leicester City W.F.C.

| caps8 = 6

| goals8 = 3

| years9 = 2011–2016

| clubs9 = Birmingham City L.F.C.

| caps9 = 77

| goals9 = 8

| years10 = 2016

| clubs10 = Notts County

| caps10 = 10

| goals10 = 1

| years11 = 2017–2020

| clubs11 = Reading

| caps11 = 46

| goals11 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2004–2017

| nationalteam1 = England

| nationalcaps1 = 35

| nationalgoals1 = 3

| manageryears1 = 2023–

| managerclubs1 = Rangers

| pcupdate = 8 June 2020 (UTC+1){{cite web|title=Josanne Potter|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/players/jo-potter/24745/|publisher=Soccer Way|access-date=11 June 2017}}

| ntupdate = 22 May 2018 (UTC)

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's football}}

{{Medal|Country|{{fbw|ENG}}}}

}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/josanne_s_cup_of_woe_1_688828|title=Josanne's cup of woe|publisher=Mansfield and Ashfield Chad|access-date=14 September 2010|date=8 May 2007}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/WomensPlayerDisplay.ink?skip=102&season=|title=Josanne Potter|publisher=Charlton Athletic FC|access-date=14 September 2010}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} She played in three FA Women's Cup finals – with Arsenal in 2004,{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAWomensCup/NewsandFeatures/2009/Final_Arsenal_vCharlton_Report|title=Arsenal lift women's Cup|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=12 September 2010|date=3 May 2004|author=Tony Leighton}} Charlton Athletic in 2007{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAWomensCup/NewsandFeatures/2009/Final_Arsenal_vCharlton_Report|title=Arsenal clinch quadruple|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=12 September 2010|date=7 May 2007|author=Stuart Mawhinney}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2015/pdf/FWWC_2015_SquadLists_ENG.pdf|title=FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™: List of Players: England|publisher=FIFA|access-date=5 July 2015}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jebbage/undersixteens.htm|publisher=Chesterfield FC Ladies|access-date=14 September 2010|title=Under 16's page}} Potter began her career at Chesterfield centre of excellence.{{cite web|url=http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jebbage/cfcgirlscofexcellence.htm|publisher=Chesterfield FC Ladies|access-date=12 September 2010|title=Chesterfield F.C. Girl's centre of excellence}} She was with Sheffield Wednesday in 2001–2002, before signing for Birmingham City.{{cite web|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Owls/squad.htm |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday Ladies |access-date=12 September 2010 |title=Squad info 2002–2003 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630225028/http://www.btinternet.com/~a.drake/women/Owls/squad.htm |archive-date=30 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}

By 2004 she was playing for Arsenal then signed for Charlton Athletic in summer 2005.{{cite web|url=https://tickets.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=22514&newstype=m|title=New signings impress in 8–0 victory|publisher=Charlton Athletic FC|access-date=12 September 2010|author=Sue Prior|date=7 August 2005|archive-date=6 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306232102/https://tickets.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=22514&newstype=m|url-status=dead}} When Charlton ditched their ladies team in 2007, Potter moved on to Everton, then returned to Birmingham City in January 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.girlsinfootball.co.uk/news/104|title=Potter Returns To Birmingham|publisher=Fair Game|access-date=12 September 2010|author=Polly C|date=16 January 2009}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.womens-soccer-scene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2010-2011/100820-02-womens-football-news.htm|title=New Leicester boss strengthening squad|publisher=Women's Soccer Scene|access-date=12 September 2010|date=20 August 2010|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034448/http://www.womens-soccer-scene.co.uk/womens-football-news-2010-2011/100820-02-womens-football-news.htm|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22701939|title=Birmingham City Ladies: Jo Potter 'deserves England recall'|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 May 2013|author=Polly C|date=29 May 2013}} 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".{{cite news|title=Birmingham City Ladies: Jade Moore and Jo Potter leave Damson Park|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36549524|access-date=9 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=16 June 2016}}

Later that month Potter and Moore joined Notts County on short-term deals until the end of the 2016 FA WSL season.{{cite news|title=Notts County Ladies: Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Lizzie Durack sign|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36672542|access-date=9 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2016}} Less than a year later, however, the club folded before the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series.{{cite news|title=Notts County Ladies: WSL 1 club fold on eve of Spring Series season|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39667392|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC|date=21 April 2017}} Becoming a free agent, Potter joined Reading along with teammates Jade Moore and Kirsty Linnett in May 2017.{{cite news|title=Reading Women: Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Kirsty Linnett join for Spring Series|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39772458|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC|date=1 May 2017}} On 8 June 2020, Reading announced that Potter had left the club after her contract had expired.{{Cite web|title=🙏 Reading FC Women issue thanks as out of contract players depart|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/reading-fc-women-bid-farewell-to-out-of-contract-players/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=readingfc.co.uk|language=en-gb}}

She announced her retirement from football in January 2021.{{cite news |last1=Frith |first1=Wilf |title=Jo Potter announces her retirement |url=https://shekicks.net/jo-potter-announces-her-retirement/ |access-date=5 January 2022 |publisher=She Kicks |date=7 January 2021}}{{cite news |title=Jo Potter: Former England and Reading midfielder retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55567558 |access-date=5 January 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2021}}

Managerial career

On 22 June 2023, Potter was appointed manager of Scottish Women's Premier League club Rangers.{{cite news |url= https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/rangers-announce-jo-potter-as-womens-first-team-head-coach/4VSyaQdAAW9yUG6c9JUCgF |title= RANGERS ANNOUNCE JO POTTER AS WOMEN'S FIRST-TEAM HEAD COACH|publisher= Rangers F.C. |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=20 January 2023}}

International career

Potter played for England at U16 level. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-under-23s/News/2002/25591|title=England girls hit Bulgaria for five|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=14 September 2010|date=4 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618065310/http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-under-23s/News/2002/25591|archive-date=18 June 2012}}

She was called up to the senior team for the first time for a friendly against Nigeria in April 2004, while playing for Arsenal.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/News/2004/England_vNigeria_SquadAnnouncement|title=Powell names squad|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=12 September 2010|date=5 April 2010}} But she had to pull out due to a back injury.{{cite web|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~516016,00.html|title=England u21 star Sidwell urges support for national women's team |publisher=Reading FC|access-date=26 May 2010}} In September 2004 she featured as a substitute in two friendlies against the Netherlands.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/intland-wom04.html|title=International Matches (Women) 2004 |website=RSSSF|access-date=26 May 2010}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/News/2005/Potters_magic_day|title=Potter's magical day|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=12 September 2010|date=24 August 2005}} She scored against Hungary during England's record 13–0 win in October 2005.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/4382828.stm|title=England Women ease to biggest win|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2010|date=27 October 2005}} Potter withdrew from the World Cup qualifying play-off against France in September 2006 with damaged ankle ligaments.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/News/2006/Couldnt_bemore_thrilled|title=Couldn't be more thrilled|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=12 September 2010|date=19 September 2006}} However, she returned to the team for the 1–0 friendly win over Scotland in March 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=30527&newstype=l|title=Potter back for England|publisher=Charlton Athletic FC|access-date=14 September 2010|date=11 March 2007|author=Matt Wright}}

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.{{cite news|title=Women's Player of the Year contender: Jo Potter|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/womens/2014/dec/jo-potter-england-womens-poty-contender|access-date=14 February 2015|publisher=The Football Association|date=21 December 2014}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Lavery|first1=Glenn|title=England squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/womens/2015/may/world-cup-canada-2015-squad-announcement|access-date=12 May 2015|publisher=The Football Association|date=11 May 2015}} 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.{{cite news|title=Nikita Parris in England Euro 2017 women squad but Eniola Aluko misses out|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39477888|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC|date=3 April 2017}}

Potter was allotted 156 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.{{cite press release |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/england/womens-senior-team/Legacy?tab=Players |title=ENGLAND PLAYER LEGACY AND RESULTS ARCHIVE |date=18 November 2022 |access-date=27 April 2023 |publisher=The Football Association}}{{Cite web |last=Lacey-Hatton |first=Jack |date=2022-11-18 |title=Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lionesses-introduce-legacy-numbers-players-28529161 |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=mirror |language=en}}

=International goals=

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first.

class="wikitable" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Scored !!Result !! Competition
1	27 October 2005	Tapolca Stadium, Tapolca, Hungary	{{fbw\|HUN}}	align=center\|10–0	align=center\| 13–0	2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
2	17 September 2014	Stadion Pod Malim Brdom, Petrovac, Montenegro	{{fbw\|MNE}}	align=center\|10–0	align=center\| 10–0	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
3	21 September 2015	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	{{fbw\|EST}}	align=center\|2–0	align=center\| 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2007/09/womens_world_cup_coverage_1.html|title=Women's world cup coverage|publisher=BBC|author=Lance Hardy|access-date=12 September 2010|date=7 September 2007}} She continued to work for the BBC on their women's football coverage.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/2010/09/womens_football_returns_to_the.html|title=Women's football returns to the BBC|publisher=BBC|author=Lance Hardy|access-date=12 September 2010|date=10 September 2010}}

Potter also worked as a Football Association skills coach, based in Sheffield.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/skills/coaches/skills_coaches.aspx?c=birmingham|title=Skills coaches|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=12 September 2010}} In 2015 Potter was employed by teammate Jade Moore, who had her own sports therapy business.{{cite news|last1=Aloia|first1=Andrew|title=Jade Moore: How heart surgery prompted England star's life plan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34271955|access-date=9 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=7 October 2015}}

Managerial statistics

As of 22 March 2025

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="5"\|Record
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
G	W	D	L	Win %
align=left\|Rangers Women \|{{flagicon\|Scotland}} \|align=left\|22 June 2023 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|71\|57\|8\|6}}
colspan=4\|Total {{WDLtot\|71\|57\|8\|6}}

Honours

=Club=

Birmingham City

FA Women's Cup (1): 2011–12{{cite news

|url=https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/Birmingham-Chelsea-Throwback-110420

|title=FA Cup Final throwback: Birmingham topple Chelsea in 2012 thriller

|publisher=The FA

|access-date=9 May 2022}}

Managerial honours

Rangers

Women’s Scottish Cup: 2023–24,{{Cite web |title=Watch: Women's Scottish Cup final - Rangers v Hearts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c6ppj57yy07t |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} 2024–25{{Cite web |title=Glasgow City 0-3 Rangers: Women's Scottish Cup final, BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2xxde2y1wt |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Scottish Women's Premier League Cup: 2023–24,{{Cite web |title=Rangers Women 4-1 Partick Thistle Women: Jo Potter's side retain Sky Sports Cup with comfortable win at Tynecastle |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/26806/13098014/rangers-women-4-1-partick-thistle-women-jo-potters-side-retain-sky-sports-cup-with-comfortable-win-at-tynecastle |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}} 2024–25{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Anthony |date=2025-03-22 |title=Hibs v Rangers Women as it happened |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hibs-v-rangers-women-live-34912143 |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}
City of Glasgow’s Women’s Cup: 2023{{Cite web |date=2023-07-30 |title=Rangers mount last gasp comeback to win Glasgow Cup over Celtic |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23688859.rangers-mount-late-comeback-win-glasgow-cup-celtic/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=The Herald |language=en}}

=International=

England

FIFA Women's World Cup third place: 2015{{Cite web |url=http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/66/09/64/eng_51_0704_ger-eng_fulltime.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706175120/http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/66/09/64/eng_51_0704_ger-eng_fulltime.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 July 2015 |date=4 July 2015 |title=Match for third place - Match report |publisher=FIFA|access-date=7 July 2019}}

References

External links

{{FIFA player}}
{{UEFA player}}
[https://archive.today/20150705155956/http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/jo-potter Profile] at the Football Association website
{{Soccerway}}

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Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:English women's footballers

Category:Everton F.C. (women) players

Category:Arsenal W.F.C. players

Category:Charlton Athletic W.F.C. players

Category:Birmingham City W.F.C. players

Category:Notts County L.F.C. players

Category:England women's international footballers

Category:FA Women's National League players

Category:Women's Super League players

Category:English association football commentators

Category:England women's under-23 international footballers

Category:2015 FIFA Women's World Cup players

Category:Footballers from Mansfield

Category:Women's association football midfielders

Category:Reading F.C. Women players

Category:Leicester City W.F.C. players

Category:UEFA Women's Euro 2017 players

Category:21st-century English sportswomen

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="5"\|Record
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
G	W	D	L	Win %
align=left\|Rangers Women \|{{flagicon\|Scotland}} \|align=left\|22 June 2023 \|align=left\|present {{WDL\|71\|57\|8\|6}}
colspan=4\|Total {{WDLtot\|71\|57\|8\|6}}