Charlie Sutton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlie Sutton |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Charles Alfred George Sutton | ||
| Date of birth | 3 April 1924 | ||
| Place of birth | Rushworth, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 5 June 2012 (aged 88) | ||
| Place of death | Footscray, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Spotswood Citizens | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Charlie Sutton (born April 3, 1924 – died June 5, 2012) was a famous Australian rules footballer. He played for the Footscray team in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Charlie was a coach and worked on the club's committee for a long time. But he is most famous for leading the Footscray Bulldogs to win their very first VFL championship in 1954.
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Charlie Sutton: The Player
Charlie Sutton started his football journey playing for Spotswood. He was known as a very tough and determined player. He showed the 'never give up' spirit of the Footscray club.
He played in different positions like 'rover' and 'half forward'. But he became really well-known as a 'back pocket' player. This position is important for defending against the other team.
In 1950, Charlie was one of the top players in the league. He came in third place for the Brownlow Medal, a big award. That same year, he won the Con Weickhardt Trophy. This award meant he was the best and fairest player for the Bulldogs.
Leading the Bulldogs
Charlie was not just a player; he was also the captain and coach of the team. He held this important role from 1951 to 1955.
His biggest achievement was leading the Bulldogs to victory. In 1954, he was the captain-coach when Footscray won their first VFL premiership. This was a huge moment for the club and its fans.
Coaching After Playing
After he stopped playing, Charlie continued to coach Footscray. He coached the team from 1956 until July 1957. At that time, he was replaced by another famous player, Ted Whitten.
Charlie later returned to coach Footscray again. He took over from Ted Whitten in 1967. He coached for two seasons, also in 1968. He decided to resign because coaching took too much time away from his business. He ran a hotel in Yarraville.
Club President
In 1978, Charlie Sutton took on another big role. He became the President of the Footscray Football Club. He took over after Dick Collinson resigned from the position.
Legacy and Awards
Charlie Sutton's impact on the club is still remembered today. The Western Bulldogs' award for their best and fairest player is named after him. It is called the Charles Sutton Medal.
In 1996, Charlie Sutton was honored again. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the greatest players in Australian rules football history.
Charlie Sutton passed away in 2012 at the age of 88. He left behind a great legacy as a player, captain, coach, and leader for the Footscray Bulldogs.
