Mike Sutton (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Mike Sutton is a former English
professional footballer. He played in The Football League
for three clubs. Two of his sons, Chris
and John
, have also played professionally.
with Norwich City
, who he turned professional with in September 1962. He made more than 50 league appearances over the next five years and then joined Chester
. This followed successful efforts by Chester manager Peter Hauser
to persuade a disillusioned Sutton not to go ahead with his plans to quit football. Sutton played in all league games over the next three seasons (including one substitute appearance) before moving to Carlisle United
for £10,000 at a time when Chester were in financial difficulties.
Unfortunately, Sutton was forced to retire from playing professional football two years later due to injury. Sutton then spent four years studying physical education
and biology
at Loughborough University
and became a teacher in Norwich
. He returned to football by playing for Great Yarmouth Town
for eight years and became involved in coaching youngsters at Norwich City
.
Sutton has also been actively involved with Drayton Cricket Club for many years, including a spell as club chairman from 2003 to 2005.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer. He played in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for three clubs. Two of his sons, Chris
Chris Sutton
Christopher Roy "Chris" Sutton is an English football manager and former player.In his career, Sutton played for Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Celtic, Birmingham City and Aston Villa. Sutton scored over 150 career goals in over 400 league appearances spanning 16 years in the English...
and John
John Sutton (footballer)
John William Michael Sutton is an English footballer, currently playing for Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League...
, have also played professionally.
Playing career
Sutton began his career in his home city of NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
with Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, who he turned professional with in September 1962. He made more than 50 league appearances over the next five years and then joined Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. This followed successful efforts by Chester manager Peter Hauser
Peter Hauser
Peter Benjamin Hauser played professional football for Blackpool before becoming player-manager of Chester in 1963...
to persuade a disillusioned Sutton not to go ahead with his plans to quit football. Sutton played in all league games over the next three seasons (including one substitute appearance) before moving to Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
for £10,000 at a time when Chester were in financial difficulties.
Unfortunately, Sutton was forced to retire from playing professional football two years later due to injury. Sutton then spent four years studying physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
and biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
and became a teacher in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
. He returned to football by playing for Great Yarmouth Town
Great Yarmouth Town F.C.
Great Yarmouth Town F.C. is an English football club based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the Wellesley Recreation Ground, whose grandstand is believed to be the world's oldest football stand still in regular...
for eight years and became involved in coaching youngsters at Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
.
Sutton has also been actively involved with Drayton Cricket Club for many years, including a spell as club chairman from 2003 to 2005.