WHILE he was an outstanding triple premiership player with the Norwood Redlegs after World War I, William “Tiger” Potts etched himself into the legacy of the club on the parade as their head trainer.
Appointed to the role in 1935, his untiring service in the role continued to the day he passed away in 1967.
In this role, Potts left an indelible mark on his club.
Firstly, as a player he had a commendable career, giving 10 years’ services and donning the South Australian red, blue and gold state jumper on nine occasions.
Comimg down to the Redlegs from Broken Hill, he played his first league game against West Torrens at the Hindmarsh Oval, on May 14, 1921 and across the next decade played 96 games as a ruckman or follower, until his final appearance against Port Adelaide in a final during September of the 1930 campaign.
He was a key part of the team’s premiership wins during this era, helping take back-to-back flags in 1922 and 1923, and again in 1925.
Potts was amongst the best five for Norwood in his first premiership win when they defeated West Adelaide by 33 points.
The ’23 grand final was a fine afternoon, with the minor premier Norwood facing the challenger North Adelaide for the 1923 premiership title.
A win to Norwood would deny the need for a challenge final and give the club successive premierships. Potts excelled in this win over the Roosters, being amongst the best three in a 26-point victory
The ’25 grand final thriller was a big game as well for Potts and fellow Silver City export Roy Bent.
In a heart stopper one-point triumph over West Torrens, in front of a crowd of 37,500 patrons at Adelaide Oval, Norwood won 8.4 (52) to Torrens 7.9 (51).
Bent was the match winner, and Potts was again in the best three players for the Redlegs.
In his role at head trainer, Potts had a simple dictum: “Love your club, love your players.”
It was Norwood’s good fortune that Potts applied those sentiments to their club for 47 years up until the day he passed away.
The minute his playing career was over, Potts signed on for his new duties, saying that was what he had always wanted to do.
In 1935 he was made head trainer, a role he maintained for more than three decades.
His treatment room became known as Tiger’s Flat, as it seemed as though he lived there. It is fitting that the “flat” is now named after him and his successor, Lionel Jarrett.
Generations of Norwood footballers and players from other SANFL clubs in many state games sought not only Potts’ healing hands, but his wise counsel as well. Norwood claims Potts and revered him.
The club is also proud to acknowledge that he would help anyone, from schoolboy to superstar, in whatever sport. The door of Tiger’s Flat was open to all of those who needed his services.
He was a Norwood Football Club life member and inducted into the clubs’ Hall of Fame.
