Manager lands attacking target

Neal Ardley has beaten off competition from other clubs to bring Alfie Potter back for a third spell at Wimbledon.

The 26-year-old winger has joined on a permanent basis after leaving Oxford United and Neal Ardley believes he has made a “fantastic signing” who will excite Dons fans once he recaptures top form.

Alfie certainly knows all about Wimbledon as his first association with the club came as an eight-year-old youth team player and he later had a loan spell here when Terry Brown was manager in 2008.

Speaking during an interview with Rob Cornell for Dons Player, Neal Ardley said that he worked tirelessly in the last two weeks to bring Alfie back to the Dons with other clubs having also shown an interest.

“It’s been hard work, but we’re delighted to announce that we’ve signed Alfie on a permanent deal,” said Neal. “It’s been a tough week to try and get both signings we’ve made over the line. There were three or four clubs interested. The signing is announced today, but the hard work has gone on for two weeks prior to this.

“We were looking for a wide player because we only have George Francomb and Sean Rigg at the moment. They’ve both worked really hard this season. We wanted someone who could work a bit of magic; a player who could run with the ball and take players on. Alfie fits into that category. When you read what his former manager said it can be the right time to move on and have a fresh start.

“My job is to get Alfie’s confidence back and get him sparkling again. If I can do that then we will have a very exciting player. With all of our wide players I tell them to take risks; they have to get on the ball and make things happen. That’s what I will be telling Alfie. If we can get Alfie enjoying his football again and back to his best then he will be a fantastic signing.”

Alfie made his Football League debut with Peterborough United, but he had to reignite his career in non league. In 2008, his talents were rewarded with an FA Cup player of the round award after he starred for Havant & Waterlooville in their memorable defeat at Liverpool.

Following loan spells at several non league clubs, Alfie left Peterborough to join Oxford after helping the U’s to promotion into the Football League while on loan. Alfie made almost 200 appearances for Oxford United, scoring 28 goals in total.