Premier LeagueChampionshipScottish Premiership
Sutton continue a tremendous FA Cup tradition to set up mouthwatering tie with Leeds
BENCHES borrowed from Surrey County Cricket Club’s Oval headquarters were needed to pack in more fans the last time Sutton United hosted Leeds in the fourth round of the cup.
By
Tony Banks
PUBLISHED:
00:02, Thu, Jan 19, 2017
| UPDATED: 00:13, Thu, Jan 19, 2017
GETTY
Sutton hosted Leeds in the FA Cup 47 years ago when Don Revie was in charge
That was 47 years ago next Tuesday and Sutton chairman Bruce Elliott remembers it well, as he helped haul the wooden benches around the perimeter track at Gander Green Lane.
The National League side’s historic late win at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night was yet another chapter in the club’s superb cup tradition. Everyone remembers their most famous moment – beating first division Coventry in 1989 thanks to Matt Hanlan’s goal.
This latest victory means they will face Championship side Leeds at the Lane on Sunday week – and the memories will flood back for Elliott.
Don Revie’s Leeds were the best in the land when they arrived in Sutton in January 1970. They had just won the Football League and in that team that day at Gander Green Lane were the likes of Peter Lorimer, Billy Bremner, Johnny Giles, Allan Clarke and Jack Charlton. A full strength side in other words.
GETTY
Get Quotes on Home Insurance
Sutton chairman Bruce Elliott remembers bringing in the wooden benches to Gander Green Lane
GETTY
Sutton caused an FA Cup upset against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night
Leeds ran out 6-0 winners against the part-timers, Clarke netting four goals and Lorimer two.
Elliott was then a 22 year old member of the Supporter’s Committee. “I remember the club hired in some benches from the Oval and we placed them on the inside of the perimeter fence – that would never happen these days,” says Elliott, who is now an accountant. “I don’t know why they picked me to help – maybe they thought I was one of the more sensible ones.
“We had 14,000 there that day in the end. Times have changed. It’s pure nostalgia.
“There’s an enormous amount to do between now and next weekend. But we won’t be putting up any temporary stands. We will have 5,000 fans in – we will need extra stewards and police – but we will be fine.”
Stats geeks reveal most valuable players in Europe
Mon, January 16, 2017
The stats geeks over at CIES Football Observatory have revealed the most valuable players in Europe but who makes the top 10?
Play slideshow
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
1 of 10
10. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) – €101.5m
Elliott, who has been chairman of the National league side for 20 years now, says: “What do I remember of that 1970 game? Not much! I remember sitting on those benches!
“The Leeds side of that time was reckoned to be probably the best club side in Europe. I remember the team they put out – household names, all of them. Bremner, Charlton, Giles, Reaney, Lorimer, Hunter. You knew everything about them. We lost 6-0. But that was their proper team.”
Sutton turfed out League Two Cheltenham in the second round and Wimbledon became just the latest in a long list of League victims on Tuesday night, when late goals from Roarie Deacon, Maxime Biamou and Dan Fitchett secured a chance for revenge.
GETTY
Sutton manager Paul Doswell has warned Leeds to expect a tough match
“I’ve still not really come to terms with it [the 6-0 thrashing], says Elliott. “We’ve got so little time to get things ready. It is mayhem right now. But that game showed that we are not just a decent side on our 3G pitch. It showed we have some good players.
“Every year our ambition is just to get to the first round, so you find yourselves in the 4th and it is magical.”
Manager Paul Doswell has warned Leeds – third in the Championship – that on their own 3G pitch, Sutton can be a match for anyone.
Sutton’s players and management celebrated long and loud back at their clubhouse on Tuesday night and Elliott winced as he recalled the evening. “I was there until 1.15am – and they were still going strong,” he says. “Some of them camped there the night I think. But if you can’t enjoy an occasion like this, when can you?”
Related articles
-
AFC Wimbledon 1 – Sutton 3: Non-League outfit upset odds in FA Cup
-
FA Cup third round recap: All the scores from tonight's replays
Jurgen Klopp: Fear of 'embarrassment' took Liverpool over the line in Plymouth FA Cup win
Plymouth 0 – Liverpool 1: Rare Lucas goal sends unconvincing Reds through to fourth round
Newcastle 3 – Birmingham 1: Magpies hope to end fourth round voodoo against Oxford
Southampton 1 – Norwich 0: Shane Long leaves it late to set up Arsenal tie in fourth round
Lincoln boss Danny Cowley didn't allow players to celebrate FA Cup shock win for long
Pep Guardiola hoping new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus can play against Tottenham
data-cta-link="#top"
Latest videos
CBB: Viewers concerned as Nicola McClean covers her eye following Kim Woodburn row
BREXIT BEGINS: UK in trade talks with '12 NATIONS from around the WORLD', reveals Liam Fox
Stars shun Donald Trump’s invitation to perform at his 'elegant' inauguration concert
Shock report warns Britain to overhaul its overseas aid budget amid 'WASTEFUL' spending
Celebrity Big Brother 2017: Chloe Ferry WARNED by producers after naked Jedward bum rub
Confirmed: Chelsea complete deal for striker: Four-and-a-half-year agreed
Manchester United and Lyon agree fee for Memphis Depay transfer
Dean Cox rediscovers love for the game at Crawley after unsavoury Leyton Orient exit
Mourinho identifies perfect playmaker for Griezmann… but they will cost Man Utd £155m
alt="As featured on NewsNow: Football news"
style="display:block;margin:0;padding:0;border:0;width:160px;height:50px;"
/>Football News 24/7
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp discusses Philippe Coutinho’s fitness: This was important
Man United star happy at Old Trafford: Agent dismisses transfer talk
Pat Nevin: What impressed me most about this Man United star against Liverpool
Barrie McKay aiming to appease Rangers fans by denying Celtic an unprecedented treble
Rangers assistant David Weir: The winter break needs to be scrapped to give us a chance
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
RSS