Sutton United F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Sutton United Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Us The Amber and Chocolates The Yellows |
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| Founded | 5 March 1898 | ||
| Ground | Gander Green Lane, Sutton | ||
| Capacity | 7,032 (1,132 seated) | ||
| Chairman | Bruce Elliott | ||
| Manager | Steve Morison | ||
| League | National League | ||
| 2018–19 | National League, 9th of 24 | ||
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Sutton United Football Club is a professional football team from Sutton, South London, England. They play in the National League, which is the fifth level of English football.
Sutton United started in small local leagues. Over the years, they moved up through different leagues. These included the Athenian League (in 1921), the Isthmian League (in 1964), and the Conference (in 1986). They won the Athenian League three times and the Isthmian League five times.
In 2016, Sutton United won the National League South. Then, in the 2020–21 season, they won the National League title. This amazing win meant they were promoted to the Football League for the first time!
The team has played at Wembley Stadium four times. They played in two FA Amateur Cup finals, one FA Trophy final, and the EFL Trophy final in 2022. Sutton United also won the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1979.
Sutton United is famous for beating bigger teams in the FA Cup. This is often called "giant killing." Their most famous win was in 1989. They beat Coventry City 2-1 in the third round. Coventry City had won the FA Cup just two years before! In 2017, Sutton reached the fifth round of the FA Cup. They beat three Football League teams, including Leeds United, before losing to Arsenal.
Sutton United plays their home games at Gander Green Lane in Sutton. This stadium is about 11 miles southwest of central London.
Contents
Club History
How Sutton United Started
Sutton United Football Club began on March 5, 1898. Two local teams, Sutton Guild Rovers F.C. and Sutton Association F.C., decided to join together. They met at the Robin Hood Hotel to make this happen.
The club quickly became well-known in local junior leagues. By 1910, they decided to become a senior team. They joined the Southern Suburban League and won it in their first try. The team played at different grounds at first. But after the First World War, they settled at what is now Gander Green Lane. They have played there ever since.
Playing in the Athenian League
Sutton United joined the Athenian League in 1921. They didn't do very well at first. In 1926, they finished last but were allowed to stay in the league. Just one season later, in 1928, they won their first Athenian League Championship! The 1930s were also good. Sutton reached the semi-finals of the FA Amateur Cup twice.
During the Second World War, Sutton United kept playing football. The Athenian League was paused, but Sutton still won some local honors. This helped them when the war ended. They won the league again in the 1945–46 season. This was also their first time winning the Surrey Senior Cup.
The 1950s were not as successful for the team on the field. But the club grew stronger off the field. They built a new main stand, which can hold over 700 fans today. Success returned when George Smith became manager. They won the Athenian League for the third time in 1958. They also won the London Senior Cup for the first time. The team continued to do well in the 1960s under manager Sid Cann. In 1963, they reached Wembley for the FA Amateur Cup final, but lost to Wimbledon.
Joining the Isthmian League
After their cup success, Sutton United joined the Isthmian League. In 1967, they won the league title. Two seasons later, they were back at Wembley for the Amateur Cup final. But they lost 2-1 to North Shields.
In 1970, Sutton United had a great run in the FA Cup. They beat Hillingdon Borough in the third round. Then they played against Don Revie's Leeds United, one of the best teams in Europe. About 14,000 fans packed into Gander Green Lane to watch. Leeds, with many international players, won the game 6-0.
The next ten years were not as good for the club. Sutton had many different managers. But when Keith Blunt took over, success returned. His biggest achievement was winning the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1979. They had a surprising 2-1 win over Chieti. This was the only time an English semi-professional club won this cup.
After Keith Blunt left, Barrie Williams became manager. He led Sutton to Wembley for the 1981 FA Trophy final. But they lost to Bishop's Stortford. Sutton also finished second in the Anglo-Italian Cup twice more. In 1983, they won three cups: the Surrey Senior, London Senior, and Hitachi Cups. They won the Surrey Senior Cup six years in a row, which is still a record.
The Conference Years
Sutton United won the Isthmian League championship again in 1985. They first said no to being promoted because of stadium issues. But they won the championship again the next year. This time, they accepted promotion after fans helped improve the stadium. Sutton stayed in the Football Conference for a while, usually finishing in the middle of the table.
The club had a very famous FA Cup run in 1988–89. They started in the fourth qualifying round. They beat Walton & Hersham, Dagenham, and Aylesbury United. This set up a third-round match against First Division team Coventry City. Coventry City was a top team and had won the FA Cup just 18 months earlier.
In a memorable game, Sutton won 2-1 against Coventry City. Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan scored the goals. This made Sutton one of the few non-League clubs to beat a top-division team in the FA Cup. This record stood for 24 years! In the fourth round, Sutton lost 8-0 to Norwich City.
Back to the Isthmian League
In 1991, Sutton United was moved back down to the Isthmian League. This was because they didn't score many goals and had many injuries. In 1993, Sutton beat Colchester United 4-3 away from home in the FA Cup. They also beat Torquay United in the second round that year.
Sutton returned to the Conference in 1999 after winning the Isthmian League again. This was under their former captain, John Rains. But they only stayed for one season and were moved back down in 2000.
The early 2000s were quiet for Sutton. But in 2002, they were the first team to play against AFC Wimbledon. Sutton won that friendly game 4-0. They won the Surrey Senior Cup in 2003.
The Conference South Era
In 2004, the Football Association (FA) created two new divisions: the Conference North and Conference South. Because Sutton finished high in the Isthmian League, they became a founding member of the Conference South. For the next three seasons, Sutton finished in the middle of the table.
John Rains left as manager in 2006. By October 2008, the team was at the bottom of the Conference South. Several managers tried to help, but the team was still struggling. Then, Paul Doswell became manager in 2008.
Paul Doswell's Time as Manager (2008–2019)
In their first season back in the Isthmian League Premier Division, Sutton finished fifth. The next season, they finished second. But they lost in the play-off semi-finals both times. In the 2010–11 season, Sutton won the championship with three games left. This secured their promotion back into the Conference South.
Back in the Conference South for the 2011–12 season, Sutton finished fourth. But they lost in the play-off semi-finals again. In the 2013–14 season, they reached their highest-ever second place in the Conference South. But they lost in the play-offs once more.
For the 2015–16 season, the Conference South was renamed the National League South. Sutton had an amazing run of 25 league games without losing. They beat Ebbsfleet United 2-0 in front of a record home crowd of 3,142 fans. On April 23, they beat Chelmsford City 2-0 at home. This made them champions of the National League South!
Sutton United's first ever televised league game was against Tranmere Rovers in 2016. Sutton won 1-0. Paul Doswell celebrated his 500th game as manager in October 2016.
In the 2016–17 FA Cup, Sutton beat League Two team Cheltenham Town 2-1. In the third round, they played local rivals AFC Wimbledon. The game ended 0-0, leading to a replay. Sutton won the replay 3-1 after coming from behind. On January 29, 2017, Sutton beat Championship team Leeds United 1-0 in the FA Cup. This meant they reached the 5th round for the first time! They were only the ninth non-League team to do this since 1945. They then played Arsenal in the last 16, but lost 2-0.
In their final game of the 2017–18 season, Sutton beat Aldershot Town 2-1 at home. This gave them a play-off semi-final spot and their best-ever league finish of third place. They lost the play-off semi-final to Boreham Wood 3-2. In 2018, Sutton was invited to play in the 2018–19 Scottish Challenge Cup. They beat Airdrieonians in the second round.
In April 2019, Paul Doswell resigned after 11 years as manager. During his time, he led the club to two league promotions and a great FA Cup run. He also helped the club grow off the pitch. Match attendance increased, and ground improvements were made.
Promotion to the Football League (2019–present)
On May 1, Matt Gray became the new manager. This was Gray's first time as a full manager.
The 2019–20 season was stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sutton was in 15th place. In the next 2020–21 season, Sutton played very well. On May 23, 2021, they beat Hartlepool United 3-0 at home. This win meant they won the National League! They were promoted to the English Football League for the first time in the club's 123-year history.
On August 7, 2021, Sutton played their first English Football League match. They lost 2-1 to Forest Green. Sutton reached the 2022 EFL Trophy final after beating Wigan Athletic on penalties. In the final at Wembley Stadium, Sutton lost 4-2 to Rotherham United after extra time. In their first League Two season, Sutton finished eighth. They just missed out on the play-offs by one point.
They finished 14th at the end of the 2022–23 season. In December 2023, Matt Gray was no longer manager. Sutton was in 24th place in League Two at that time.
Club Identity
Team Colors and Badge
Sutton United's badge looks very much like the old badge of the Municipal Borough of Sutton and Cheam. The gold and silver circles on the shield and the keys inside them show that Chertsey Abbey once owned Sutton. The bird at the top of the badge is a popinjay. It comes from the Lumley family, who used to be lords of Cheam. The crosses on the badge represent the See of Canterbury. The badge also has a medieval helmet.
Sutton United started playing in 1898 with amber and chocolate brown stripes. These were the colors of Sutton Association F.C. They tried green and white stripes for a season in the 1920s, but the team didn't play well. So, they went back to amber and chocolate. In the 1930s, the stripes became hoops. By the late 1930s, the home shirt was amber and chocolate halves.
After the Second World War, they tried amber and chocolate quarters. But by the late 1950s, home shirts were amber with chocolate numbers. They wore white shorts and white socks. In the 1960s, the socks became amber. In 1974, the shorts became chocolate.
By the late 1970s, Sutton wore an all-amber kit with chocolate trim. This stayed the same until their 100th season in 1998–99. For that season, they used a special design of amber and chocolate quarters with chocolate shorts. In the early 2000s, the home shirt had thick amber and chocolate stripes. But new manager Paul Doswell brought back an all-amber kit for the 2008–09 season.
For the 2016–17 season, the home shirt was all amber with a single chocolate stripe down the middle. It also had chocolate trim on the collar and sleeves. In 2018–19, it changed again to amber with chocolate sleeves and trim. These colors are very important to Sutton United. Fans often chant "we're the amber and chocolates" at home games.
After the Second World War, amateur teams started wearing away kits. Sutton first wore a red and white away kit in the 1950s. They started wearing an all-white away kit by 1963. Light blue and black, and then brown kits, appeared briefly in the late 1970s. But the club went back to all white. The away kit stayed all white for the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st century. Exceptions were the 1998–99 season (green and white quarters) and a short period with a broad green and white strip. For the 2016–17 season, the away shirt was all white with a single red stripe and red trim. In 2018–19, it was all white with red trim.
| Season | Kit Manufacturer | Home Shirt Sponsor | Away Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2005 | Kitz | Securicor | Securicor |
| 2005–2007 | G4S plc | G4S plc | |
| 2007–2008 | Falcon Builders | ||
| 2008–2009 | Erreà | P.G.Marshall & Sons Ltd. | HSS Hire |
| 2009–2010 | TAG | A-Plant | Holiday inn |
| 2010–2012 | Allgold Coins | ||
| 2012–2013 | Paris Smith | Drew Smith | |
| 2013–2015 | Joma | Drew Smith | Paris Smith |
| 2015–2016 | Banstead Downs | ||
| 2016–2017 | Green Go Waste | Champion Timber | |
| 2016–2017 | The Sun/Sun Bets | ||
| 2017–2018 | Angel Plastics | ||
| 2018–2022 | Macron | Angel Plastics | |
| 2022–present | O'Neills | ||
| 2017–2018 | Telsa Media | Telsa Media |
Team Mascot
Sutton United's mascot is Jenny the Giraffe. She is at all home matches and greets fans before the game starts. Jenny wears a Sutton United shirt and sometimes a scarf in winter. In 2010, Jenny took part in the Mascot Grand National race and finished fifth out of 41 mascots!
Sutton United FC Gambia
There is also a football club in The Gambia called "Sutton United FC". It was started in 1999 by Father Andrew Cole. The team was first called Young Stars FC. Later, an English visitor named Walter gave them equipment and suggested they change their name to Sutton United FC (Gambia). This club plays in the third tier of Gambian football.
Home Stadium
Sutton United plays their home games at Gander Green Lane. For sponsorship reasons, it is officially called the VBS Community Stadium. The seats for the main stand at Gander Green Lane came from Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea F.C. The stadium can hold 7,032 people, with 1,132 seated.
In August 2015, Sutton United put in a new 3G artificial turf pitch at Gander Green Lane. This led to friendly rivalries with other teams that also use 3G pitches, like Maidstone United. Fans sometimes call these games El Plastico. In 2023, a new grass pitch was laid at Gander Green Lane.
Supporters and Rivalries
Sutton United's main rivals are Bromley and AFC Wimbledon.
Their biggest local rivalry is with Carshalton Athletic. Both teams are in the same London area. They have played many derby matches in different leagues and cup competitions. Sutton has a better record in these games. One famous match was a 6-0 win for Sutton in 2002.
Sutton had never played in the same league as AFC Wimbledon until the 2022–23 season. But because they are close geographically, they share a friendly rivalry. They first met in the FA Cup in 2017. The first game was a 0-0 draw. Sutton won the replay 3-1, which was a historic win for them.
Club Records
- Best FA Cup result: Fifth round, 2016–17
- Best League Cup result: Third round, 2023–24
- Best EFL Trophy result: Runners-up, 2021–22
- Best FA Trophy result: Runners-up, 1980–81
- Highest League Finish: 8th in League Two, 2021–22
- Record attendance: 14,000 vs. Leeds United, FA Cup fourth round, January 24, 1970
- Biggest victory: 11–1 vs. Clapton, 1966; 11–1 vs. Leatherhead, 1982–83 (both in the Isthmian League)
- Heaviest defeat: 13–0 vs. Barking, Athenian League, 1925–26
- Most appearances: Larry Pritchard, 781 games
- Most goals: Paul McKinnon, 279 goals
Players
Current Squad
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Out on Loan
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Famous Former Players
Club Management
| Role | Name |
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| Chairman | Bruce Elliott |
| Director of football | Terry Bullivant |
| Manager | Steve Morison |
| Assistant manager | Anthony Fenton |
| Assistant manager | Steve Sallis |
| Sports therapist | Bobby Childs |
| Sports therapist | Catherine Chambers |
| Goalkeeper coach | Andy Little |
Club Honours (Trophies Won)
League Titles
- National League (level 5)
- Champions: 2020–21
- National League South (level 6)
- Champions: 2015–16
- Isthmian League Premier Division
- Champions: 1966–67, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1998–99, 2010–11
- Athenian League
- Champions: 1927–28, 1945–46, 1957–58
Cup Wins
- EFL Trophy
- Runners-up: 2021–22
- FA Trophy
- Runners-up: 1980–81
- FA Amateur Cup
- Runners-up: 1962–63, 1968–69
- Anglo-Italian Cup
- Winners: 1978–79
- Athenian League Challenge Cup
- Winners: 1945–46, 1955–56, 1961–62, 1962–63
- Bob Lord Trophy
- Winners: 1990–91
- Isthmian League Cup
- Winners: 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1997–98
- Isthmian League Full Members' Cup
- Winners: 1991–92, 1995–96
- London Senior Cup
- Winners: 1957–58, 1982–83
- South Thames Cup
- Winners: 1954–55, 1966–67, 1967–68
- Surrey Senior Cup
- Winners (15): 1945–46, 1964–65, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2002–03
- President's Trophy
- Winners: 2009–10 (shared), 2010–11 (shared)
See also
In Spanish: Sutton United Football Club para niños
