“We had to build a squad,” explains the 40-year-old in typically forthright fashion. “We didn’t have one because everyone left.”
And when he says everyone, he means everyone. Sutton slipped out of the EFL at the end of last term, three years after a historic promotion under Matt Gray had ended an unbroken 123-year residence in Non-League football.
Momentum very nearly carried the south London side into the play-offs the following season, but the reality of competing against better-resourced rivals soon began to bite.
A 5-1 victory over Notts County on the opening day of last season was followed by seven successive defeats. Sutton tumbled into the dropzone and only briefly reemerged, despite Morison’s arrival in January sparking a spirited late rally. Relegation – confirmed by a final-day draw at MK Dons – prompted a stampede for the exit.
“Officially I had nine players left on the books,” says the ex-Cardiff boss, who was lured to Gander Green Lane after guiding Hornchurch to the summit of the Isthmian Premier during a wildly successful six months in charge.
“But Harry Smith and Omari Patrick both had clauses in their contracts saying they could leave if we got relegated. Both of them told me that’s what they wanted to do.
“The majority of the rest all intimated to me that they’d like to stay in the EFL, so I had to work on the basis that none of them wanted to be here.
“With Craig Clay and Louis John, it was beneficial to both parties that they left because they were on wages that we just couldn’t carry and they probably weren’t going to play.
“So it ended up with us having Ryan Jackson, Josh Coley and… that was it. We had Jack Taylor and Joe Williams, both young lads. But we didn’t have anyone of real substance.
“I’m sure people will look at what we’ve done and think ‘Wow, that’s a lot, 17 signings’. But it wasn’t just me playing Champ Manager. It was a necessity.”
Denne historien er fra July 14, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 14, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.