Potter’s proud moment after ‘scrap for shirt’

Jan 28 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE winger Alfie Potter revealed the scrap for Steven Gerrard’s jersey was almost as hard fought as their FA Cup tie against Liverpool.

The Blue Square South outfit amazingly twice went ahead at Anfield during the first half before succumbing 5-2 to Rafael Benitez’s side on Saturday.

Potter was instrumental in Havant’s second, his shot being deflected in to the Kop goal off Liverpoolcentre-back Martin Skrtel. And the Havant man later claimed the bonus of exchanging shirts with Liverpool skipper Gerrard, who made a late appearance as substitute.

“When he came on they got a corner straight away and I asked if anyone had his shirt, and he said no,” said Potter. “So I thought, ‘right, I’ve got that then’.

“Then a couple of our other players went up to him and asked if they could have his shirt, but he said ‘the little man’s got it’.”

Of his ‘goal’, Potter added: “It was a great feeling for us to score in front of the Kop. It took a long time for that goal to go in and I’ll never feel that feeling again, ever.

“No matter what the score was, before the game we thought that as long as we scored a goal it would be something for us to celebrate.

“The Liverpool fans were amazing, they clapped us on and off the pitch, their probably the best fans in the country.”

Havant goalkeeper Kevin Scriven said: “The whole thing has been a dream. When you come here you know they’re going to score goals. You know you’re pretty certain not to keep a clean sheet, and you’re going to be under the cosh.

“But then we went 1-0 up and I don’t think any of the lads really expected that. When they equalised and we scored to make it 2-1 I think even less of them expected it.

“We put Liverpool under a bit of pressure on their own pitch, scored two goals... how many thought that would happen?”

Havant manager Shaun Gale said: “Shocks do happen in the Cup so at 1-0 and 2-1 it didn’t surprise me. I thought we’d score today. But not too many teams score twice here.

“We spoke about the players freezing because not too many had played in front of anything like that. But I told them ‘at the end of the day it’s a football match and they’re only human’.

“My little boy Jake is a Liverpool fan and got Fernando Torres’ autograph before the game. For me the memory of coming here three months into the job, will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Rafa knocked on the door and came in to say well done at the end. I’ve got the utmost respect for him. He’s one of the world’s best managers and what he did means the world to me. I’m gutted to lose but can accept it at Anfield.

“Their players also came in, signed shirts for us, we were treated magnificently.”