Sutton United Matchday Programme by ForestGreenRovers

Brandon 10 Minutes with Fleming

Making his debut for his hometown club, facing Turkish opposition and grabbing two assists to help Hull City’s survival cause, get to know Rovers’ new addition Brandon Fleming.

Best match you’ve played in?

One was at Hull; we were in a bit of a relegation scrap, and we played Peterborough away.

The away end sold out and we beat them 3-0 which was a massive step to safety as they were down there as well.

I got two assists that day and it was just an unbelievable day as the fans were a joke. That was probably when I felt the happiest on a pitch.

Biggest accomplishment?

I would say coming up as a Hull lad,

making debut for Hull. I think playing for your hometown club, for any youngster coming up wherever they’re from, is what everyone wants to do.

Footballing Idol?

Growing up, I loved Steven Gerrard, just loved him. So, I would probably say him.

Best stadium you’ve played in?

I played at the London Stadium against West Ham but that was in Covid, so the stadium was empty. That was the only downside.

Also played at Fenerbahce’s stadium in preseason. Their fans, crazy. That was a great experience, so I’d have to say either of those two.

Toughest opponent?

That’s a tough one. We played Bristol City away once and lost 5-0, or something like that, and [Antoine] Semenyo played. He was a joke that day and that season.

Opposition The

It’s back under the lights at The New Lawn for Rovers re-arranged National League fixture with Sutton United..

Sutton’s last visit came under a year ago in League Two where the U’s left Nailsworth with all three points following a narrow 1-0 win.

Back in August, it was a late Charlie McCann goal that secured all three points for Rovers against the South London side.

Since that meeting, Sutton have picked up 13 wins from their last 33 games in all competitions and earned their first win in seven games defeating Maidenhead United 1-0 on Tuesday.

That run of form has Sutton occupying a stable mid-table position and saw the U’s reach the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

They came unstuck against National League North side, Spennymoor Town, who ran out 2-0 winners on the day.

Manager, Steve Morison, reached a year in charge of the U’s back in January and has

since gone on to manage over 50 games for the club.

Prior to joining the U’s, Morison spent time as manager as Hornchurch following an impressive stint as Cardiff City manager between 2021 and 2022.

Morison came close to being managed by Steve Cotterill during his playing career as the 41-year-old retired at Shrewsbury Town in 2019, a year before Cotterill took over the Salop.

Sutton have had some standout performers this season with one of those being striker Will Davies who has found the net on 14 occasions since joining from York City in the summer.

The 25-year-old is in fine form as well scoring eight goals in his last 12 National League matches, including a brace against his former side York in a 2-1 win.

Davies has also played every minute of 12 of his last 13 matches for the U’s in the National League.

Following their trip to Nailsworth, Sutton return home to face play-off contenders FC Halifax Town on Saturday.

Established

The club was formed on 5 March 1898 when a meeting of two leading local clubs, Sutton Association and Sutton Guild Rovers, decided that they should join forces. The amber and chocolate colours of Sutton Association were retained, along with both clubs' grounds, and the United club's first game was against Norwood & Selhurst FC.

Crest

The Sutton United crest bears much resemblance to the arms granted to the new council on 16th October 1934, although certain colours have been changed, with the motto, "Serve God and Be Cheeful", replaced by the club name.

Stadium

In 1910 Sutton assumed senior status and joined the Southern Suburban League, and it was during the next decade that the club gained use of their present home in Gander Green Lane.

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