Northampton Town’s newest signing Alfie Potter insists there were no hard feelings – or even any surprises – after he was released by the Dons boss Neal Ardley.

Potter, who signed for the Dons from Oxford United in January, was told he was surplus to requirements at the CRRS last week.

However, it was not long before the winger had a new club when the Cobblers offered him a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old had made 10 appearances for the Dons, scoring just the one goal in the 3-2 win over Luton Town in February – a record he readily admitted was key to his departure.

“When I was released, Neal [Ardley] was very honest with me, and that’s what you want from a boss,” he said.

“It wasn’t really a surprise. It was always going to be a temporary thing and see how it went.

“It did not quite take off, I had a few good games here and there and I was on the bench for a few games, so I half-expected it.

“There were no hard feelings, I was grateful to get out of Oxford United and play some games.”

Potter was thus thrust into a footballer’s worst nightmare – that limbo world between clubs when the next contract seems a mile away.

But it lasted less than a week before he joined Chris Wilder, his old boss at Oxford, at the Dons League Two rivals, Northampton Town.

Potter said: “I was at Oxford for six years, and I was pretty settled, so to be looking for a new club twice in the space of four months was pretty difficult.

“But that is why signing a two-year contract at Northampton Town is ideal, I need to settle down and get my head on to football rather than worrying about a contract.

“It’s a pretty scary time because you never know what is going to happen. There are goodness knows how many players out there looking for a club, and there are players higher up filtering down.

Surrey Comet:

Hit and miss: Potter admits his four months at the CRRS had its high and not-so highs

“There will be players who won’t get a club and are out of work for a while.”

Although he is moving on after only four months as a Don, Potter has left south west London with fond memories.

He also has a dream that, if it comes to fruition, would be great news for Cobblers and Dons fans alike.

“My pick-out moment at the Dons is my second start against Luton Town where I scored,” he said.

“We were 2-0 up and they came back to 2-2, and then David Connolly nicked a goal at the end, that was probably the most exciting game.

“I have a good feeling for the Dons that they will kick on next season.

“They showed at times last season they can be a match for anyone in the League.

“I hope they have a good season, because for the four months I was there, they were really good to me, and the fans deserve it.”

He added: “It would be nice if both Northampton and Dons went up next season.”