Sutton United surprise as they appoint ex-EFL player turned manager from non league club

Sutton United surprise many as they have chosen to appoint ex-EFL player turned manager Steve Morison from non league club Hornchurch.

League Two’s bottom side have brought in the former Cardiff City boss, as he leaves a Hornchurch side top of the Isthmian League Premier Division standings.

Before taking the role at Hornchurch, his last role with in the Championship with Cardiff, but he was sacked in September 2022, so then the 40-year-old dropped five levels of the English football pyramid for life in the Isthmian League, of a side that missed out on promotion for the 2022/23 season having lost the playoff final to Aveley.

Morison now is tasked of trying to guide a Sutton side that has won just one of their past nine league games, to safety.

He comes in as successor to Matt Gray, who was sacked on the 19th of December.

Sutton United have appointed Steve Morison as manager to replace Matt Gray, who left the club in December.#suttonunited https://t.co/4IcGplKlu3

— Sutton United FC (@suttonunited) January 6, 2024

SUTTON STATEMENT:

Sutton United have appointed Steve Morison as manager to replace Matt Gray, who left the club in December.

Steve has most recently been manager of Isthmian League Hornchurch, and leaves the Essex club seven points clear at the top of the Premier Division. He previously spent just under a year as manager of Championship side Cardiff City, steering them clear of the relegation zone on the 2021-22 season, having previously been Head Coach of their Under 23s.

Steve’s playing career as a striker saw him make nearly 700 senior appearances, half of which were for Millwall in three spells, and score nearly 250 goals. He also played for Northampton Town, Bishop’s Stortford, Stevenage, for whom he scored the winner in the 2007 FA Trophy final, Norwich City, Leeds United and Shrewsbury Town. He was capped 20 times by Wales.

We offer Steve a warm welcome and our best wishes for his time as Sutton United manager. We would also like to thank Jason Goodliffe for taking interim charge of the team in the five games since Matt’s departure.

Steve Morison departs Urchins for Football League opportunity. https://t.co/8jhrT1JAPe

— Hornchurch FC (@HornchurchFC) January 6, 2024

HORNCHURCH STATEMENT:

Hornchurch FC can confirm that manager Steve Morison will be leaving the Urchins following today’s match against Horsham for an opportunity to manage at a Football League club. Steve announced his departure to the fans in the clubhouse following the game.

Chairman Alex Sharp said “I’m disappointed to confirm that Steve will be leaving us after 6 months, following probably the most impressive first half of a season we have ever seen! Steve has brought a level of professionalism to the club that has lifted us from the disappointment of last season’s play off final defeat and whilst I am sad to see Steve leave from the club’s perspective, I am delighted that he has got an exciting opportunity to return to the Football League so quickly and feel proud that Hornchurch has provided the platform for that return. Steve has been fantastic for the club and the foundation he has put in place sees us top of the league with games in hand and a fantastic goal difference and we will do our best now to close out the season as we have started off. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Steve and to Ant Fenton who will take up the role of Steve’s assistant from Monday.

Best of luck to Steve and Ant for the future, it has been great getting to know you both and your families and we can guarantee you a very warm welcome whenever you return to the club.

We will take our time now making sure we get the right replacement for Steve and will keep you all posted of our progress.

Best of luck Morro!

COYUs

Alex

As mentioned, Sutton United surprise as they appoint ex-EFL player turned manager from non league club Hornchurch, this is what fans had to say…

@Adam_Palace: Oh dear…

@ambersalamander: Welcome to Sutton, Steve. Best of luck, we’ll be right behind you. One of us now 💛

@jackjones_067: Looks good on the eye because he’s managed in the championship however it’s a very risky appointment imo

@DrSunnyLuthra: Fantastic coach…..you got a good one there @suttonunited fans.

@MillwallGC: Always loved Sutton 👀

@JPMillwall2: Sutton new 2nd team let’s go

@Mikeyccfc: So sorry to hear this, Sutton fans. Hope you’re all okay.

@SPJ91: Another team to have a little look out for results now … Good luck Moro! Bet Aiden O’Brien is buzzing with that appointment 😂 #Millwall

@supertrotskiii: Alex Sharp 6 months ago: “If we felt as a board that he was doing this as a 6-month gig to get back into the league […]”… aged like milk.

@AFC_HX: Was never going to be a long term affair but I am gutted he hasn’t seen the season out after the great start we have had. I just Alex and Colin to keep us going and push on again.

@uhohwillow: Good luck to him I guess, of course he was never gonna stay with us long term, but it would’ve been nice to see out the season after such a good start.

@PhilPlant1: Thank you Steve and Ant, been a great 1st half of the season and wish you all the best at Sutton Utd. Alex and Colin thank you for making this happen, club has grown and been a pleasure – now let’s get the job done!

@hornchurchins: Poor. Couldve stayed until the end of the season. Sutton will be relegated by end of season. Anyways COYU 🔴⚪️ Dont let this affect our promotion push boys

@marowe1988: Done an unreal job there. Interesting to see how he does at sutton