Once fellow members of the Isthmian League, Sutton United have climbed the pyramid since the turn of this century, reaching the English Football League for the first time in 2021.
A three-year adventure in League Two, which included near play-off qualification misses and an EFL Trophy final, came to a close in 2024. Since then, the Yellows have finished 12th and 19th in an attempt to steady themselves in the National League.
The 2025/26 campaign was a period of struggle as the club flirted with relegation before finishing five points above the drop zone. One win in the opening 16 fixtures resulted in the dismissal of Steve Morrison, with now Worthing Assistant Manager Jon Meeney taking Interim Charge before Chris Agutter switched Worthing Red for Sutton Amber.
This year the club look like a stronger competitor, starting their league season with a run of four consecutive victories, leaving them in second place as the month of August concludes.
History
The club were founded in 1898 and spent 40 years of their existence in the Athenian League, an amateur division for teams in and around London, between the 1920s and 60s.
After being crowned Athenian champions on three occasions, the club were elected into the Isthmian League and encountered immediate success, lifting the Premier Division title in 1967.
A few years later, Sutton recorded their greatest attendance figure in 1970 – 14,000 in a FA Cup tie against Don Revie’s Leeds United. The U’s also competed in (and won) the Anglo-Italian Cup in the late 70s-early 80s, facing the likes of Modena and Triestina.
Sutton have been promoted to the Conference/National League on four occasions in their history. The first time was in 1986 and the most recent in 2011.
Manager – Chris Agutter
‘Agi’ hails from a strong Sussex background, learning the coaching trade at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Academy and Community Trust before becoming an assistant manager with Eastbourne Borough.
Keeping youth development at the forefront of his responsibilities, Agutter was also the academy manager at Priory Lane before further spells at Brighton, Hastings United, and Stevenage.
Agutter was then plucked from the Isthmian Premier Division in May 2024 to take the wheel at Worthing. Across 17 months at the club, the 38-year-old led the Rebels to an 88-point season, their highest tally in the National League South to date, missing out on the sixth tier title by a single point.
Since joining Sutton last October, Agutter has steadied the ship in South West London, and now looks to fire the Us back into the Football League.
Captain – Jake Taylor
The once-capped Welsh International was appointed Sutton captain ahead of the 2026-27 season after joining the club in November 2025.
A product of Reading’s academy, having grown up in Berkshire, Taylor spent the majority of his senior career playing in League Two for Exeter City (six seasons) and Stevenage (two seasons), before dropping down to the National League with Eastleigh.
A leader from midfield, Taylor won Sutton United’s 2025/26 Player of the Season Award after he played a crucial role in steering the club away from relegation. He recently ticked off his 30th appearance for the club.
Previous Meetings & Staff/Player Connections
Worthing first played Sutton United in an FA Amateur Cup tie during the 1955/56 season, and the latest meeting came in 2016/17, when we lost at Sutton in an FA Trophy replay five days before our opponents knocked Leeds United out of the FA Cup.
We were opponents in the Isthmian League Premier Division from 1983 until 1986 and again in 1995/96.
Historically, several Sutton United personnel have links to the Reds, including John Rains, who managed both clubs, as did current U’s boss Agutter.
Many players such as Colin Newstead, Mike Cornwell, Nko Ekoku, Paul Rogers, Temi Babalola,Toby Byron and current players Jack Wadham and Harry Ransom have represented Worthing and Sutton United.
Stadium – Gander Green Lane
Currently named the Borough Sports Ground, Sutton’s home can hold over 7,000 spectators and has hosted the U’s since the early 20th century.
Shared with Crystal Palace Women since 2023, the ground is nestled just outside of Sutton’s town centre, towards the outskirts of the capital, close to nearby areas such as Wimbledon and Croydon.
The stadium also hosted AFC Wimbledon’s first-ever game as a re-established club, when the Dons faced Sutton in a pre-season friendly back in 2002.
Gander Green Lane has seen vast developments over the last decade due to the club’s historic promotion to the Football League, including the introduction of a grass-based playing surface.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗