Sutton United chairman, Bruce Elliott, has been at the club for over 25 years and he has seen them ascend through the football pyramid.
Currently they reside in the fourth tier, enduring their second ever season in the football league and are putting on quite the show.
From minimal funds to a date with Rotherham United at Wembley, Elliott discloses what has been the toughest moment since their promotion 18-months on.
“We won the league on Sunday and ripped the (artificial) pitch up on Tuesday, it was complete mayhem,” said Elliott.
“In that first summer the club was a building site, everyone had to mastermind their way around that.
“We were thrown into the deep end, we went from being a three-quarter time club to a full time one, rather naively.
What seemed to be a ‘plastic carpet’ to opposition fans, functioned as more than just a pitch for the U’s.
“It was a double whammy, not only did the pitch offer income but it also provided a free training facility.
“(The pitch) gave the community aspect a huge boost, now, we are trying so hard to keep everyone under one roof.”
Something the U’s never managed to tie down since promotion was a training ground, switching in-between a local grammar school and a non-league neighbour, they never found a home last term.
This year is different, their current base is Harlington (formerly used by QPR and Chelsea based near Heathrow), but Elliott acknowledged the implications.
“We have a wonderful training ground at Harlington, brilliant facilities, but the problem is not in the London borough of Sutton.
“It is fine for those who live closer, of course some players are happier than others about that.”
Thankfully, the positivity around Gander Green Lane is infectious, no injury crisis or extensive journey to training will nibble away at the ethos that seems to be embroidered into Sutton’s crest.
“We haven’t lost that yet and we are working hard to continue the community spirit. We have changed tack.”
Does the feeling translate to those visiting?
“Everybody loves to be loved, we pride ourselves on welcoming guests and being hospitable, except for those 90 minutes.
“A club is not about the bricks and mortar, it’s about the people and that’s where we score heavily.
“It could be someone selling programmes or somebody sweeping the car park – whatever it is there is continuity of the people involved.”
Elliott showed no signs of worry about losing that unique selling point either and explained one of the secrets why.
“The higher you go there is a danger you lose that aspect, but we have always tried to continue that communication.
“There is a non-league mentality still, which is not a bad thing, you do not get that everywhere and that is special.”
Elliott is proud that the fanbase have such easy access to the management and players, whether it is the goal-scorer having a drink with the fans after a game or the manager hosting a quiz for the fans to raise money for the club – he explores the simplicity of a healthy relationship with the manager.
“(As a manager) If you have not got that relationship, it is a problem, it will not work simple as that.
“Matt gets on well with the board, there is mutual respect – he has been brilliant so far.”
Since his appointment in 2019, Matt Gray has been the conductor of the Amber locomotive that has burst into the football league, whilst doing so, he may have caught the eye of some bigger clubs in the pyramid.
“No is the answer, no official approach has been made yet.
“Which is surprising, clubs may be put off because they know he wants success here or maybe they feel as if they are wasting their own time.
“However, we know that nothing is forever.”
Very much like last year, Sutton may not need to make major adjustments in the January transfer window.
Last season was the club’s first ever mid-season window, unlike in non-league, you can shift and shape your squad as you please.
“The difference last January is that it was our first experience of a transfer window, there was no real panic then.
“There will be no panic this time either.”
With the manager opening up about his unique process to evaluating the likelihood of a player fitting into his squad, how big of a role do the board play when it comes to signing players?
“We are involved as much as potential signing discussions and whether he will go to meet the player, (if successful) he will then come back to us to speak about finances.
“There is a strong line here between board and player situation we do not interfere with the player side of it.
“Overall, Matt is heavy on recruiting in the summer, he is that good that he doesn’t need to exercise his squad a great deal.”
With regards to finance, Sutton obtain a strong rapport with the local council, Elliott may need to embody his first-team manager as they begin negotiations for the next phase of becoming a football league club.
“We have managed to tick all EFL boxes other than increasing seats from 1,000 to 2,000.
“That will come next year so we are currently exploring our options.
“Once that is finished, I believe we have completed the capital expenditure to remain in the football league.”
Elliott was honest in his assessment of being the chairman of a football club, albeit the time-consuming nature and stress has led to a positive outcome.
“Because I am so wrapped up, I did not realise what we have achieved. Until people from the football world pointed it out.
“Someone pointed it out to me recently and he illuded to the fact that it’s because of the people involved.”
At Sutton United everyone is crucial to the process, from the volunteers all the way through to the managers of each team.
“Will (Letts, manager of the Women’s team) has been excellent, we want to support him in every way yet keep it balanced.
“Everybody wants to say yes, but when finance is involved, we have to say no he and every other manager understands that.”
With the U’s sat in 12th with 35 points, can the fans imagine beyond the milestone, or is the objective still the same?
“It was an exceptionally bad start to the season in terms of injuries, but we are now halfway through and over halfway to 50 (points).
“Those injured will be our new signings (this January), the clear ambition is to stay in the football league.”
