John Sutton (footballer)

John Sutton
Personal information
Full nameJohn Jack Hyslop Sutton
Date of birth26 December 1983[1]
Place of birthNorwich, England[1]
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Playing positionStriker
Club information
Current team
Motherwell
Number9
Youth career
2000–2002Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2003Tottenham Hotspur0(0)
2002→ Carlisle United (loan)7(1)
2002Swindon Town1(0)
2003–2004Raith Rovers20(13)
2004–2005Millwall4(0)
2004–2005→ Dundee (loan)32(8)
2005–2007St. Mirren64(25)
2007–2008Wycombe Wanderers45(6)
2008–2011Motherwell98(32)
2011–2013Heart of Midlothian49(11)
2012→ Central Coast Mariners (loan)8(1)
2013–Motherwell72(33)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:19, 24 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

John William Michael Sutton (born 26 December 1983) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Motherwell. He has represented England at Under-15 and Under-16 level.[2]

Career

Early career

Sutton was a promising youth cricketer, representing Norfolk at various age levels. He was a modest batsman and useful off-spinner of moderate pace. He started his football career as a youth trainee with Tottenham Hotspur[3] and as part of their reserve squad.[4] Whilst playing at under 17 level he scored 25 goals in 26 games.[2] In 2002 he went on loan with Carlisle United (where he scored his first career goal against Cambridge United)[5] before agreeing to be released by Tottenham and signing on a months contract with Swindon Town.[6]

In 2003, Sutton joined Raith Rovers.[7][8] He made a quick impression at Raith, scoring 13 goals in 20 league appearances for the Scottish Football League First Division club.[9] Several clubs enquired about his availability in January including Valencia where he spent three days on trial,[10] Dundee[11] and English Championship club Millwall, who signed him for £60,000.[12] He failed to make an impression at Millwall, playing just 4 league matches.[9] He did however contribute to Millwall's run to the 2004 FA Cup Final, coming on as a substitute against Tranmere Rovers in their quarter-final replay.[13]

Dundee

He returned to Scotland on a season-long loan with Scottish Premier League side Dundee,[14] making his debut on 7 August 2004 in Dundee's 1–0 defeat to Hearts.[15] He scored his first goal for the club the following week netting the winner in the 47 minute in their derby win over Dundee United.[16] His form proved better back in Scotland scoring 8 times in 33 league appearances.[17]

St. Mirren

On 31 August 2005, he joined Scottish First Division club St. Mirren on a two-year contract,[18] making his debut on 10 September 2011 against Queen of the South,[19] He scored his first goal for the club three days later against Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[20] Sutton was sent off on 26 December against Queen of the South after a challenge with Jim Thomson.[21] He scored 17 goals in all competitions that season,[22] helping them win promotion to the Scottish Premier League in his first season.

In all Sutton made 75 appearances scoring 30 times for the club. With his contract expired at the end of the season[23] he became a free agent in May 2007. In the interview with Daily Record on 5 October 2013, Sutton stated joining St. Mirren saved his career and that the playing style was the "enthusiasm for the game".[24]

Wycombe Wanderers

On 28 June 2007, he signed for Wycombe Wanderers,[25] making his debut on 11 August against Accrington.[26] Sutton scored his first goal for the club on 2 October against Barnet in their 2–1 defeat.[27] On 19 August 2008 after one season, Sutton's Wycombe contract was cancelled by mutual consent.[28] In all Sutton made 48 appearances scoring six times for the club.[29]

Motherwell

He then signed for Scottish Premier League club Motherwell on a three-year contract. He scored on his debut against Dundee United on 23 August[30] and followed it up with a 79th minute winner against Hibernian a week later.[31] Sutton continued his impressive start to his Motherwell career with a consolation goal against Celtic,[32] an equaliser against his former club St. Mirren[33] and the winner against Falkirk,[34] bringing his total to an impressive five goals in his first six league matches. On 2 February 2009, Sutton scored a brace in Motherwell's 3–0 Scottish Cup victory over Inverurie Loco Works.[35] In his first season he scored 12 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.[36]

Motherwell qualified for the 2009–10 Europa League through the FIFA Fair Play Award and were drawn against Welsh club Llanelli in the first-qualifying round. In the first-leg in Scotland, Llanelli shocked The Steelmen 1–0,[37] but Sutton scored twice in the return leg as Motherwell won 3–0 to progress through to the next round,[38] where they were drawn Albanian side Flamurtari Vlorë. In the first-leg in Albania, Sutton scored from the penalty spot early in the match, but the referee ordered a retake, which he missed. There did not seem to be any infringement before the kick was taken and manager Jim Gannon blasted the decision as Flamatouri won 1–0.[39] Sutton's penalty miss did not matter at all, as Well blew the Albanians away in the second leg at Fir Park, winning 8–1, although Sutton did not score in this match either,[40] nor did he score in either leg of the third qualifying round tie with Steaua Bucureşti, as Motherwell lost 3–0 in Romania[41] and 3–1 at home to go out 6–1 on aggregate.[42] Sutton netted a brace in the historic 6–6 draw with Hibernian on 5 May 2010.[43] He finished the 2009–10 season with a total of 14 goals in 38 appearances.[36]

On 27 February 2011, Sutton scored twice as Motherwell shocked Celtic 2–0 at Fir Park,[44] and on 16 April 2011, Sutton scored a screaming half volley from outside the box in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final against St Johnstone.[45] His final appearance for Motherwell came in the Scottish Cup Final losing 3–0 to Celtic at Hampden Park.[46] He finished the season as their top scorer with 17 goals.[47]

Hearts

On 25 May 2011, Sutton signed for Heart of Midlothian (Hearts).[48] Making his debut against Rangers at Ibrox on 23 July.[49] Sutton started the first three matches of the season including Hearts Europa League tie against Paks,[50] in which he won a penalty.[51] His fortune changed under new manager Paulo Sergio as his appearances became limited to substitute appearances and the odd start prompting doubts about his future at the club.[52] He scored his first goals for the club on 13 August against Aberdeen scoring twice in Heart's 3–0 win in one of his few starts.[53] Despite this Sergio[54] and Sutton denied he didn't have a future at the club.[55] John Sutton came on as a substitute in Hearts 3–1 victory over Hibernian in the Edinburgh Derby on 2 January 2012 to assist 2 goals. In his debut season he made 18 appearances scoring 3 times[56] before being sent on loan in February 2012 to Australian side Central Coast Mariners.[57]

On his return he played in Hearts four pre-season games scoring three times,[58] becoming Hearts main striker[59][60] under new manager John McGlynn.[61] Sutton stated on his return that If Sergio was still in charge then I wouldn't be anywhere near the first team.[62] On 4 August 2012, Sutton made his debut for the second time scoring from the penalty spot in a 2–0 win over St. Johnstone.[63] After Hearts entered administration in June 2013, Sutton was made redundant by the club as he refused to accept a pay cut.[64][65] Following his departure, Sutton explained his action that he will feature less in the first team[66] and insists he's no traitor to Hearts, having admits joining the club was a mistake in the first place.[67]

Central Coast Mariners (loan)

It was first reported on 26 January, that Australian A-League club Central Coast Mariners were one of several clubs interested in acquiring Sutton on a loan deal. Other clubs that were believed to also be interested were St. Mirren and even rival Hibernian[68] The Mariners soon entered into discussions with the player, in the hope of securing him on a 4-month loan as a replacement for recently departed striker Matt Simon, and hoping to fill the void left by youth international Bernie Ibini-Isei who will be joining up with the Australian U-20s.[69] On 31 January 2012, it was announced that the move had been finalized pending international clearance.[70] On 3 February it was confirmed Sutton had signed a 4-month loan deal and would join up with the squad the following week.[71] Sutton made his debut on 18 February against Wellington Phoenix in their 2 – 0 win.[72]

Motherwell

After being made redundant by Hearts, Sutton signed for Motherwell for a second time on a 2-year contract on 28 June 2013 and will wear number nine shirt.[73] Sutton he made his second starting debut in the first leg of the third round of Europa League, in a 2–0 loss against Kuban Krasnodar.[74] Motherwell would be eliminated after Kuban Krasnodar proved to be too strong and failed to win either legs losing 2–0 and 1–0 respectively.

Sutton scored three straight games since his return against Partick Thistle,[75] Kilmarnock[76] and St. Mirren.[77] Two weeks later, on 28 September 2013, Sutton scored his first brace of the season, as Motherwell win 2–0 against Ross County[78] and scored another against Ross County on 14 December 2013, with a 2–1 win for Motherwell.[79] After sixteen goals so far in twenty league appearance, Manager Stuart McCall described Sutton as the key signing of this 2013–14 season.[80]

Honours

With Central Coast Mariners:

Career statistics

As of 25 April 2015[81][82]
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Carlisle United (loan) 2002–03 7110000020101
Swindon 2002–03 100000000010
Raith Rovers 2003–04 2013100000332416
Millwall 2003–04 401000000050
Dundee (loan) 2004–05 32810200000358
St. Mirren 2005–06 3114411000323917
2006–07 3311112100003613
Total 6425523100327530
Wycombe Wanderers 2007–08 45610100010486
Motherwell 2008–09 2810221020003312
2009–10 3512100062004214
2010–11 3510663061005017
Total 983298401430012543
Hearts 2011–12 14300103000183
2012–13 35930102000419
Total 4912302050005912
Central Coast Mariners (loan) 2011–12 8100002000101
Motherwell 2013–14 3822101010004122
2014–15 3411101020003811
Total 7233202030007933
Total 400131231014124395471150

Personal life

Sutton is the son of Mike Sutton[2] and the brother of ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton.[83]

Sutton is married to a Glaswegian woman and they have twin sons.[24]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "John Sutton profile". Official Motherwell FC Site. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "John Sutton Motherwell Profile". Motherwell F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Former Spurs trainee John Sutton believes an upset is entirely possible". The Scotsman. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "I knew I had to quit Spurs when I couldn’t get a game in the STIFFS". The Sun. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Cambridge 2–1 Carlisle". BBC. 29 October 2002. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  6. ↑ "KING MOVES FOR STRIKER SUTTON". Swindon Town F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Raith hope Sutton is chip off old block". Fife Today. 17 July 2003. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  8. ↑ "Raith sign young Sutton". BBC. 19 July 2003. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "2003–04 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Millwall want Spurs reject Sutton". London Standard. 22 January 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Dundee fail in Sutton bid". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 January 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "Sutton moves to Millwall". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 January 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Tranmere 1–2 Millwall". BBC Sport. 16 March 2004. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  14. ↑ "Sutton's fraternal winner". The Independent. 16 August 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Dundee 0–1 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 7 August 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Dundee Utd 1–2 Dundee". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 August 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "2004–05 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  18. ↑ "St Mirren sign Sutton as Britton quits Dundee". The Scotsman. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  19. ↑ "Queen of the South 0–1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 September 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "St Mirren 3–2 Stenhousemuir". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "Queen of the South 0–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 December 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  22. ↑ "2005–06 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Buddie, can you spare me time". Evening Times. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Motherwell striker John Sutton: I scored twice against Celtic and my brother said 'what do you think you are doing?'". Daily Record. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  25. ↑ "Wycombe sign St Mirren's Sutton". BBC Sport. 28 June 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.
  26. ↑ "Wycombe 0–1 Accrington". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  27. ↑ "Barnet vs Wycombe". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  28. ↑ "Knight and Sutton leave the Blues". Wycombe Wanderers' official website.
  29. ↑ "2007–08 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  30. ↑ "Motherwell 1–1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  31. ↑ "Hibernian 0–1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  32. ↑ "Motherwell 2–4 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  33. ↑ "Motherwell 2–1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  34. ↑ "Motherwell 3–2 Falkirk". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 October 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  35. ↑ "Inverurie Locos 0–3 Motherwell". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "2008–09 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  37. ↑ Motherwell 0–1 Llanelli BBC Sport
  38. ↑ Llanelli 0–3 Motherwell BBC Sport
  39. ↑ Flamurtari 1–0 Motherwell BBC Sport
  40. ↑ Motherwell 8–1 Flamurtari BBC Sport
  41. ↑ Steaua Bucureşti 3–0 Motherwell BBC Sport
  42. ↑ Motherwell 1–3 Steaua Bucureşti BBC Sport
  43. ↑ BBC Sport Motherwell 6–6 Hibernian BBC Sport, 5 May 2010.
  44. ↑ "Motherwell 2–0 Celtic". BBC Sport. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  45. ↑ "Motherwell 3–0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  46. ↑ "Motherwell 0 – 3 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  47. ↑ "Neil Lennon plays down Celtic interest in John Sutton". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  48. ↑ "Jamie Hamill, John Sutton & Danny Grainger join Hearts". BBC Sport. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  49. ↑ "Rangers v Hearts". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  50. ↑ "Paksi 1–1 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  51. ↑ "Hearts' John Sutton: I was rugby-tackled for penalty". The Scotsman. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  52. ↑ "John Sutton is shunned by Paulo Sergio at Hearts... just six games into the season". Mail Online. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  53. ↑ "Hearts 3 – 0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  54. ↑ "Hearts boss Paulo Sergio insists John Sutton has a future at Tyncastle". Daily Record. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  55. ↑ "Hearts striker John Sutton 'not looking for move'". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  56. ↑ "2011–12 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  57. ↑ "Sutton set to leave Hearts for loan deal Down Under". The Scotsman. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  58. ↑ "D-Day: Hearts frontman Sutton can't wait to make up for lost time against Hibs". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  59. ↑ "Filling the derby void can make John Sutton king at Hearts". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  60. ↑ "John Sutton is not taking his return to the Hearts frontline for granted". sport.stv.tv. STV. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  61. ↑ "John McGlynn keen to net a striker for Hearts". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  62. ↑ "Hearts goal hero John Sutton: If Sergio was still in charge then I wouldn't be anywhere near the first team". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  63. ↑ "Hearts 2–0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  64. ↑ "Hearts administration: John Sutton made redundant". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  65. ↑ "John Sutton made redundant as club cut costs". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  66. ↑ "Motherwell: Striker John Sutton explains Hearts departure". BBC Sport. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  67. ↑ "John Sutton joins Motherwell and says: 'I didn't betray Hearts'". Daily Record. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  68. ↑ Marshall, Allan (26 January 2012). "A-League Central Coast Mariners enter race to sign Hearts striker John Sutton". Daily Record. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  69. ↑ Hassett, Sebastian (27 January 2012). "Mariners close to loan deal for Scotland-based Sutton". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  70. ↑ "John Sutton Set For Central Coast Mariners". Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  71. ↑ "Official: Striker Sutton set for Central Coast". Central Coast Mariners FC. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  72. ↑ "Mariners Return To Winning Ways". Central Coast Mariners F.C. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  73. ↑ "Sutton Signs Up Again". Motherwell Football Club. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  74. ↑ "Motherwell 0 Kuban Krasnodar 2: Steelmen suffer Europa League defeat to clinical Russians". Daily Record. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  75. ↑ "Motherwell 1–0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  76. ↑ "Motherwell 2–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  77. ↑ "St Mirren 0 Motherwell 1: John Sutton returns to haunt his old club as the pressure mounts on Buddies boss Danny Lennon". Daily Record. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  78. ↑ "Motherwell 3 Ross County 1: Derek Adams dwells on first-half injury as John Sutton double fires Steelmen back from behind". Daily Record. 29 September 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  79. ↑ "Ross County 1 Motherwell 2: Motherwell bounce back from horror fortnight with victory in Dingwall, as County's woes continue". Daily Record. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  80. ↑ "Strike-star Sutton is signing of the season says McCall". Evening Times. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  81. ↑ "John Sutton Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  82. ↑ "John Sutton Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  83. ↑ "Big brother sells John Sutton on Hearts". The Scotsman. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.

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