Sutton United Academy

Sutton United runs a category 3 academy based in South London. They have an elite youth development program that nurtures young talent.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @sutton_academy.

The U’s compete not only in the EFL Youth Alliance but also in the South Division of the National League U19 Alliance – a competition they previously took part in during the 2020/21 season.

Sutton United operates two direct feeder teams composed of students from their newly established Post-16 Further Education Programme.

These teams compete in a feeder division of the National League Under-19 Alliance as well as the SCL Development League.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the following competitions:

• U18 Youth Alliance Cup – an EFL-organised youth tournament for Under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs competing in the EFL Youth Alliance. It follows a format similar to the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
• Surrey Senior Cup – a county knockout competition contested by Sutton United’s Academy alongside sides from across Surrey.

2025/26 Season

A proud 2024/25 season for the Sutton Academy saw the Under-18s reach the round of 16 of the U18 Youth Alliance Cup.

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Manager Jimmy Dack and Academy Head of Coaching/PDP Head Coach Glen Nichols.

Scholars 2025/26

Josh Robson (Goalkeeper), Charlie Emery (Defender), Luke Ashburn (Defender), Tito Salaam (Defender), Noah Muwana (Defender), Jayden Keteku (Midfielder), Mehmet Halim (Forward), Liam Moore (Midfielder), Vinnie Tume (Forward) and George Vorster (Forward).

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Youth Alliance Cup second round, Sutton United’s Under-18s were drawn away against Barnet.

For the FA Youth Cup third round qualifying, the Under-18s were drawn at home against Merstham.

In the Surrey Senior Cup, Sutton were drawn away against Guildford City in the first round, before being drawn at home against Croydon in the round of 16.

Season Timeline

May 2025

• Jack Taylor and Junior Eccleston both signed their first professional contracts with Sutton United.

July 2025

• The Under-19s lined up a series of July friendlies against Leatherhead, Corinthian Casuals, Ashford, Spartans Youth, Kingstonian, Crawley Down Gatwick, and Raynes Park Vale.

September 2025

• Sutton extended their unbeaten run to five matches in the EFL Youth Alliance South with a home victory over Swindon Town.

October 2025

• Sutton United’s Under-18s were eliminated from the Youth Alliance Cup, following their tie away at Barnet.

November 2025

• Sandat had originally made the switch to East London in August, joining on an initial one-month loan deal which was later extended.

2024/25 Season

Based in South London, Sutton United ran a Category Three academy.

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Liam Moore (Forward) – Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC
• George Vorster (Midfielder) – Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC
• Jack Taylor (Defender) – Hampton & Richmond
• Jay Williams (Defender) – Merthyr Town
• Joden Trickett (Forward) – Harrow Borough; Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC
• Vinnie Tume (Forward) – South Park
• Junior Eccleston (Defender) – Walton & Hersham FC

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Vinnie Tume (Forward), Liam Moore (Forward).

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Youth Alliance Cup, Sutton United’s Under-18s were drawn in Group H against Under-18 sides from Bromley, Gillingham, Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon, before progressing to the round of 16 against Bromley.

The Academy also participated in the Surrey Senior Cup.

Season Timeline

October 2024

• In the first round of the FA Youth Cup, Sutton United were drawn at home to AFC Wimbledon.
• The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Sutton United after a first-round tie at home to AFC Wimbledon.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Lenny Jones, Khyan Edwards, Joden Trickett.