Goalkeeper Danny gets dream role

By Elvin King Thursday, November 7, 2002
1:13 PM

SOCCER: Former Suffolk Schools goalkeeper Danny Potter is about to join one of the country's most followed teams.

The 23-year-old ex-St Joseph's School pupil is to play for Harchester United, who are in the Premiership and watched by millions every Sunday night.

SOCCER

FORMER Suffolk Schools goalkeeper Danny Potter is about to join one of the country's most followed teams.

The 23-year-old ex-St Joseph's School pupil is to play for Harchester United, who are in the Premiership and watched by millions every Sunday night.

Potter makes his debut in the Sky One TV footballing soap Dream Team on Sunday week. He will be playing himself, a keeper who has joined the ailing club from Manchester United's youth squad.

In real life, Potter is now playing for Canvey Island in the Ryman League and working at the Next Generation fitness centre on Ransomes Industrial estate, Ipswich.

With his partner Tracie Gray, he is moving into a house in Ipswich tomorrow and is due to become a father for the first time in the next couple of weeks.

Potter joined Chelsea from school and actually travelled on two away first team trips, but failed to make the team or the bench.

"Now I have reached my goal with Harchester," he quipped.

Potter joined Colchester before playing in the Third Division for Exeter City. He then spent two seasons with Weymouth before linking up with ambitious Canvey this year.

"I am involved in six episodes before the regular keeper returns from the USA. A coach crash at the end of the previous series killed a number of players and the keeper suffered from trauma.

"I don't think I am giving too much away in saying that we lose 4-0 at home to Southampton in my first match."

Potter has had two speaking lines so far and admits to wearing make-up in some scenes. He films three days a week – one in the studio, one at Millwall's ground and one at a training ground.

He got the part through playing in charity football games for boxing promoter Frank Maloney, and was recruited by Dream Team football co-ordinator Andy Ansah – the ex-Southend United player.

Potter has no serious thoughts about taking up a TV career, and he plans to qualify as a fitness and personal trainer.

His team-mates at Canvey include former Ipswich Town players John Kennedy, Neil and David Gregory and Cambridge United's Ipswich-based defender Ben Chenery.

Meanwhile, ex-Town starlet Jason Dozzell has just left to join Grays.

Potter played in the same Suffolk Schools side as Newcastle United and England star Kieron Dyer, and recalls what a fantastic prospect he was.

"I would like to back up Kevin Barker's comments about Kieron in the Kick-Off column two weeks ago. Kieron was always confident in his own ability, and always knew what he wanted.

"Although a bit jealous of his talent, I am very pleased for him. Kieron has never changed. When we were playing for the county my dad used to pick him up, and every time Kieron comes home and bumps into my dad he always stops for a chat.

"He is a top man and he has done Ipswich proud. It was a pleasure to play alongside such a great player."

Potter's dream has also come true – just wait for when Newcastle United play Harchester!

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