Graham Potter has urged ongoing vigilance against Covid-19 after his family were hit by tragedy. But he has no heightened concerns about the impending return of full crowds to the Amex. Albion’s road to post-lockdown normality takes a huge step forwards on Saturday when they host Watford (5.30pm). About 30,000 fans will converge on the Amex for the first time since the virus paralysed the nation 18 months ago. Potter, left, says he supports vaccination but understands those, including members of his playing staff, who have concerns. He is very confident in all protocols and controls in place around the stadium on matchday. But he has warned care must still be paramount to keep Covid at bay.
Graham Potter said: “I’ve had some tragic experience of someone losing their life that wasn’t jabbed, within our family, so I know that it’s dangerous. He was 48, not the same age as the players of course, but young with two young kids, so it’s tragic. So of course I would advise that (vaccination), because I don’t want anybody else to go through that. But at the same time I also understand people will have concerns, and we have to respect those concerns and try to work with them, educate and help and make sure people come to a decision that feels right for them.”
Asked whether there was support for vaccination within his squad,
Graham Potter said: “It’s not unanimous, there are concerns. It’s important that those concerns are addressed, or answered or communicated. I don’t think it’s right that we’re in this polarising situation where it’s black or white, you need to have the jab or not. Everybody has to be able to make a choice, of course. It hasn’t gone away, we’re still living with it, still trying to work out, and probably the reality is no one really knows for sure because we’ve never been through this before. It’s a new disease we’re all having to get our heads around. It’s still going to be there and we have to be careful, and making sure adhere to all the safety protocols. And do our best to try to get back to normal, play football, and move the country forwards as best we can.”
Potter said his cousin’s husband died in the last week after a short illness.
Graham Potter added: “It was obviously devastating to go through and witness, and tragic for the family, and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.”
