Ritchie Sutton

Ritchie Sutton

Personal information
Full name	Ritchie Aidan Sutton
Date of birth	29 April 1986[1]
Place of birth	Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position	Defender[1]
Club information
Current team	Tranmere Rovers
Number	2
Youth career
1997–2005	Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2005–2007	Crewe Alexandra	0	(0)
	→ Leek Town (loan)
	→ Leek Town (loan)
2006	→ Stafford Rangers (loan)	2	(0)
2006–2007	→ Stafford Rangers (loan)	37	(0)
2007–2008	Stafford Rangers	40	(0)
2008–2009	Northwich Victoria	4	(0)
2008	→ Halifax Town (loan)
2009	Halifax Town
2009–2010	Nantwich Town
2010–2011	Port Vale	11	(0)
2011–2015	Mansfield Town	136	(0)
2015–	Tranmere Rovers	25	(1)
2016	→ Barrow (loan)	10	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 1 May 2016. † Appearances (goals)

Ritchie Aidan Sutton (born 29 April 1986) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for National League side Tranmere Rovers. He can operative as a centre-back or a full-back.^[2]

Beginning his career at Crewe Alexandra, he never made the first team, and instead enjoyed loan spells at non-league Leek Town and Stafford Rangers. He was released by Crewe in 2007. He returned to the non-league scene with Northwich Victoria, Halifax Town and Nantwich Town. In summer 2010 he signed with Port Vale, before making the switch to Mansfield Town the following year. He won the Conference National title with Mansfield in 2012–13 and won the club's Player of the Season award in 2014–15. He moved to Tranmere Rovers in May 2015, and was loaned out to Barrow in March 2016.

Playing career

Early career

Sutton started as a youth team player at Crewe Alexandra, turning professional in the summer of 2005. His first season was spent on two separate loan spells at local side Leek Town, of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.^[3] In March 2006 he joined another local non-league side, Stafford Rangers, on loan.^[4] Rangers achieved promotion from the Conference North through the play-offs at the end of the season.^[5]

In May 2006 he was offered a new one-year contract by manager Dario Gradi.^[6] At the start of the 2006–07 season he was sent out on loan back to Stafford Rangers, now in the Conference National.^[7] The loan deal was initially only a month long,^[8] but ended up being extended to the end of the season,^[9] despite Sutton spending a month out to undergo knee surgery.^[10] However, when he returned to Gresty Road he was informed that he would not be offered a new contract,^[11] at which point he signed with Rangers permanently. By the end of the season he was an occasional captain.^[12] He made 79 Conference appearances for the club over all his spells.^[13]

In the summer of 2008 he moved on to Conference club Northwich Victoria, though joined Halifax Town of the Northern Premier League Division One North on loan in December of that year.^[14] In January 2009 he joined Halifax on a permanent basis,^[15] though would only remain at the club for the rest of the season.

He signed for Nantwich Town in June 2009,^[16] and had to turn down an offer of a trial at Football League club Port Vale in the summer of 2009 because of this contract.^[17] Manager Pete Hall felt Sutton could play professionally again, but warned of the player's disciplinary record.^[18] He made forty appearances for the "Dabbers" in 2009–10; signing a new, more flexible contract in summer 2010.^[19] During the season he saw four red cards.^[20] Throughout the season he also worked at a Crewe-based accident management company.^[21]

Port Vale

In July 2010, he had a successful trial at League Two Port Vale,^[22] and was offered a short term deal.^[23] This meant a return to professional football, as he gave up a full-time job to join the Vale.^[24] He was suspended for the opening six games of the season due to his record of four red cards in the previous season (this suspension included a previously unserved three match ban).^[25] He made his debut in the Football League Trophy on 31 August 2010, in a 2–1 win over Rochdale at Vale Park.^[26] In December he signed an extension to keep him at the club until the end of the season, despite having made just five appearances, manager Micky Adams felt Sutton performed well when called upon.^[27] Sutton had also shed two stone within six months.^[28]

Mansfield Town

In June 2011, he was unveiled at Conference club Mansfield Town, having signed on one-year contract a free transfer.^[29][30] Manager Paul Cox said that "I've had my eye on Ritchie since his days at Crewe. He is a big strong 'unit' who will hopefully be a good acquisition for the club."^[31] He was one of three Mansfield players injured in a pre-season 'friendly' with Ilkeston,^[32] and so missed the start of the season.^[33] He made his debut from the bench on 27 August, in a 3–0 home win over Kettering Town, before he was given his first start in a 1–0 win against Stockport County two days later. He played the next twenty consecutive league and FA Cup games, until a second yellow card picked up in a 3–1 defeat at Southport saw him suspended for one game.^[34] The "Stags" reached the play-off semi-finals, however Sutton was sent off at Field Mill for a late challenge on York City's Matty Blair, and watched from the sidelines as his team were knocked out of the play-offs in extra time.^[35] Mansfield won promotion into the Football League as Conference champions in 2012–13, though Sutton was largely confined to the bench following the arrival of James Jennings in January.^[36] His contract was extended by a further year in the summer.^[37]

He made 39 appearances during the 2013–14 campaign, and became a key feature of the club's 3-5-2 formation.^[38] During the 2014–15 season he was asked to play as an attacking right-back by manager Adam Murray.^[39] He adapted well to the role, and was named as the club's Player of the Season.^[40]

Tranmere Rovers

Sutton signed a two-year contract with Tranmere Rovers, newly relegated into the Conference Premier, in May 2015 after impressing manager Gary Brabin with his "no-nonsense" defending.^[41][42] He was sent off in a 1–1 draw at Welling United on 5 September, though had the red card overturned on appeal.^[43] He made 24 appearances in the first half of the campaign, before losing his first team place after Steve McNulty and Michael Ihiekwe formed a centre-back partnership in December.^[44] Sutton joined Barrow on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season on 4 March 2016.^[45] His loan spell at Holker Street was ended early after he suffered a slight hamstring tear in his tenth appearances for the club.^[46]

Personal life

Sutton supports Port Vale, and has been a season-ticket holder at the club.^[47] He spent the first six years of his life in Burslem, before his family relocated to Crewe.^[21]

As of June 2011 he is studying to complete a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University, alongside former Port Vale teammates Gareth Owen, Adam Yates, and Justin Richards.^[48]

Statistics

As of 21 April 2016.

Season	Club	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other[49]		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2005–06	Crewe Alexandra	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2005–06	Leek Town	Northern Premier League	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
2006–07	Crewe Alexandra	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2007–08			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2005–06	Stafford Rangers (loan)	Conference North	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
2006–07[50]	Stafford Rangers	Conference National	37	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	40	0
2007–08[51]			40	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	40	0
Total			79	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	82	0
2008–09[52]	Northwich Victoria	Conference National	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Total			4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2010–11[53]	Port Vale	League Two	11	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	13	0
Total			11	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	13	0
2011–12[1][54]	Mansfield Town	Conference National	41	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	45	0
2012–13[55]			25	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	28	0
2013–14[56]		League Two	36	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	39	0
2014–15[57]			34	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	38	0
Total			136	0	8	0	2	0	4	0	150	0
2015–16[58]	Tranmere Rovers	National League	25	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	27	1
2015–16[58]	Barrow (loan)	National League	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
Total			25	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	27	1

Notes

• Statistics for spells with Halifax Town and Nantwich Town unavailable.

Honours

Individual

• Mansfield Town F.C. player of the season: 2014–15^[40]

with Stafford Rangers

• Conference North play-off winner: 2006

with Mansfield Town

• Conference National champion: 2012–13

References

1. "Profile". mansfieldtown.net. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
2. "Sutton extends Stafford stay". crewealex.net. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
3. "Sutton first to sign". crewealex.net. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
4. "Sutton set for Stafford switch". crewealex.net. 31 March 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
5. "Sutton helps Rangers up". crewealex.net. 9 May 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
6. "Ten players offered Crewe deals". BBC Sport. 3 May 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
7. "Stafford capture Crewe's Sutton". BBC Sport. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
8. "Sutton joins Stafford". crewealex.net. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
9. "Stafford extend Sutton loan deal". BBC Sport. 20 December 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
10. "Sutton to extend loan". crewealex.net. 20 December 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
11. "Crewe nip in for defender Daniel". BBC Sport. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
12. "Shaymen Borrow Vics' Defender". nonleaguedaily.com. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
13. "Vale Chance for Sutton". nonleaguedaily.com. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
14. "Sutton – Shock to the System.". halifaxafc.co.uk. 16 December 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
15. "Sutton Stays a Shayman". nonleaguedaily.com. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
16. Morse, Peter (10 June 2009). "Crewe Alex: Sutton signing could spark ex-Alex influx". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
17. "Port Vale: Nantwich defender Sutton handed trial". The Sentinel. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
18. Oliver, James (19 August 2009). "UniBond League: Richie Sutton sending off ‘unforgivable’". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
19. Morse, Peter (2 June 2010). "Football: Sutton stays loyal to Nantwich despite Port Vale interest". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
20. Shaw, Steve (20 July 2010). "Port Vale: Ritchie Sutton willing to bide his time at Vale". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
21. "Port Vale: Fan Sutton delighted to join his heroes". The Sentinel. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
22. "Ritchie Sutton: Latest". port-vale.co.uk. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
23. "Port Vale offer short-term deal to Ritchie Sutton". BBC Sport. 18 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
24. Shaw, Steve (19 July 2010). "Port Vale: Micky Adams takes six-month gamble on Ritchie Sutton". The Sentinel. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
25. "Sutton Blow". port-vale.co.uk. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
26. "Port Vale 2 – 1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
27. Baggaley, Michael (3 December 2010). "Port Vale: Ritchie Sutton's hard work rewarded with new deal". The Sentinel. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
28. "Port Vale extend defender Ritchie Sutton's deal". BBC Sport. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
29. "Mansfield Town bring in Ritchie Sutton from Port Vale". BBC Sport. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
30. "Stags Snap Up Sutton". Mansfield Town Official Site. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
31. "Stags snap up defender Sutton". bluesqfootball.com. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
32. "Mansfield boss Paul Cox abandons Ilkeston FC 'friendly'". BBC Sport. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
33. "Mansfield's Thompson and Sutton to miss start of season". BBC Sport. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
34. "Southport 3 – 1 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
35. Phillips, Owen (7 May 2012). "Matty Blair's extra-time header fired York back to Wembley as Mansfield's Blue Square Bet Premier play-off semi-final hopes crashed at Field Mill.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
36. "Mansfield Town's Ritchie Sutton only has eyes for top spot ahead of Woking trip". Nottingham Post. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
37. Pallatt, James (21 May 2013). "Six players sign new deals at Mansfield Town". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
38. "Ritchie Sutton wants Mansfield Town to aim for play-offs next season". Nottingham Post. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
39. "Mansfield Town defender Ritchie Sutton confident practice will make perfect". Nottingham Post. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
40. "SSA Player of the Year". thessa.org. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
41. "Ritchie Sutton: Tranmere Rovers to sign Mansfield Town defender". BBC Sport. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
42. Hilton, Nick (21 May 2015). "Tranmere sign 'no-nonsense' Sutton". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
43. Hilton, Nick (8 September 2015). "Tranmere Rovers FC win appeal over Ritchie Sutton red card". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
44. Hilton, Nick (4 March 2016). "Rovers defender makes loan move". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
45. "Ritchie Sutton: Barrow AFC sign Tranmere Rovers defender on loan". BBC Sport. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
46. "Sutton's Barrow AFC spell ended by hamstring injury". North-West Evening Mail. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
47. "Sutton offered Vale trial". Sky Sports. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
48. Earle, Robbie (23 June 2011). "Robbie Earle: Career after football can be daunting prospect". The Sentinel. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
49. Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy and play-offs.
50. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
51. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
52. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
53. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
54. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
55. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
56. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
57. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
58. "Games played by Richard Sutton in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 5 September 2012.

External links

• Ritchie Sutton career statistics at Soccerbase