ALFIE Potter hopes Oxford City can keep most of the squad together following promotion, after he became the latest player to commit to the Hoops.

The former Oxford United midfielder, 34, joins Josh Ashby, Reece Fleet, Tom Harrison, Latrell Humphrey-Ewers and Lewis Miccio in signing on for the 2023/24 campaign in Vanarama National League.

Ross Jenkins’ side are set to compete at the highest level in the club’s history after beating St Albans City 4-0 in the National League South play-off final last month.

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Potter has fond memories of playing in the fifth tier of English football, having scored the goal which clinched promotion for the U’s in the Blue Square Premier play-off final against York City in 2010.

He said: “I can’t wait to get going, it’s been a long time since I played in the National League and I imagine the standard’s got better, as it has done throughout the leagues.

“It’s going to be tough but I can’t wait to play in front of bigger crowds, in better stadiums, on better pitches, against better teams, and I think we’ll more than hold our own.

“We’re there for a reason and we earned promotion, so I fully expect us to hold our own.”

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Potter hopes City can use their home form and 3G artificial pitch to their advantage, in what will be a historic season for the club.

He said: “We’ll probably be the smallest club in the division in terms of budget and following.

“I expect us to do well and it’ll be tough for clubs to come to our place and play on our pitch.

“They won’t like it and I’d like to think that our home form, as well as the football we can play, will stand us in good stead for next year.”

While Potter is among half a dozen Hoops players to put pen to paper with the club next season, he hopes more will follow in the coming weeks.

“Everyone’s excited for next year and can’t wait to get back in already,” he said.

“Hopefully we can keep the squad together, there’s some unbelievable players in that squad and they’re going to have interest from elsewhere.

“I’d like to think we can keep the main bulk of the squad together.

“All of them are more than capable of playing at a higher level.

“We know we’re going to have work harder than everyone else but as long as we work hard, our football ability should shine through in the end.

“As much as I think we’ll do well, it’s certainly not going to be easy and it’s going to take a hell of a lot of effort from everyone.”

Experience of life further up the football pyramid will no doubt be crucial for City, with Potter and striker Josh Parker among those to have tasted life in the Football League earlier in their career.

Potter said: “There’s a couple of other experienced boys in there – Josh Parker is another one who’s played loads of games at a higher level.

“He came in and proved how important experience is and how important leadership is.

“If I can do my part, even if I’m not playing, I will.

“If I can offer some experience and some guidance along the way, then I’ll do that.”