ALFIE Potter believes the sky is the limit for Oxford City head coach Ross Jenkins.

Former Oxford United midfielder Potter has committed to the Hoops ahead of their debut season in the Vanarama National League, after the side brushed past St Albans City with a 4-0 victory in the National League South play-off final last month.

The decision to stay in Oxfordshire was a straightforward enough one for Potter, with the call made even simpler thanks to the influence of Jenkins.

READ AGAIN: Former Oxford United play-off hero the latest to commit to Oxford City

“I’ve said to him that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with the boys and playing for him as a manager, the coaching staff and the club as a whole – it’s a great club to be at,” said Potter.

“I do think Ross has got a really bright future and he’s proven this year that he has what it takes.

“He had a really good core group there already but the players that he added really kicked us on to another level.

“He can spot a player and he’s got an unbelievable philosophy in terms of how we play.

“He’s got a bright future and I was delighted to play another year with him.”

Jenkins took charge of the Hoops last March in what is his first managerial post.

Potter said: “He’s taken Oxford City to a level they’ve never been at before.

“To get promoted is a hell of an achievement and for the budget he’s working to, it’s unbelievable.

“I think his training sessions are very, very good and his ideas are very, very good.

“You can see from when he started in his role to where he is now, you can see the development already.

“I think he can go far. There’s a lot of demand for young managers who play football the right way so I have no doubt that if we continue to do as we did this year, then he’ll go places.

“The aim as a club will be to stay up but I don’t think the boys will be scared of the level.”

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After struggling with injuries during the 2021/22 campaign, Potter revealed that he came close to hanging up his boots.

However, Jenkins’ management of him has enabled the 34-year-old to enjoy a new lease of life.

Potter said: “After the season before last, I nearly called it a day and then going into this season, I still couldn’t get fit and I was struggling with a couple of little injuries. I was very close to calling it a day.

“Ross has managed me very well and given me time off when I’ve needed it, he’s rested me for games and I’ve managed 30-odd games this season.

“It proved I just needed a run of games to get my body back into the condition it needed to be, and I’d like to think I’ll play more games next year.

“There’s been times where Saturday-Tuesday games, Ross has rarely played me two games in four days.

“I’d play on Saturday and I’d be desperate to play on the Tuesday, and my body would feel fine, and then he hasn’t played me. I’d understand but on the inside, I’d be fuming.

“I think Ross has understood my body more than what I’ve probably understood my body.

“There are going to be times to manage it this season, he’ll do that and he won’t play me.

“He’ll manage it better than what I could because I’ll want to play all the time.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.