Byron: "I’m Back, Older And Ready To Get Going”

Toby Byron spoke with excitement after completing a return to Sutton, a side with whom he spent a brief portion of youth career back in 2019/20.

Now 24 years old, the defender has developed into a powerful, versatile player who has played at a number of levels within non-league, most recently with Worthing, where he has been a key part of the Rebels title hopes in the National League South.

However, the lure of National League football and a reunion with Chris Agutter – the man who initially brought him to Woodside Park last summer – proved too good to turn down, with Byron completing a permanent switch to Gander Green Lane ahead of this Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Byron’s senior Sutton career began in the stands as he watched on as his new teammates were defeated by Truro City on the weekend, before taking part in his first training session the following Monday ahead of the U’s trip to Eastleigh, with preparation continuing amidst a hectic few days for the defender.

He subsequently completed his media duties before sitting down with Sutton United FCtv to discuss his move, describing the past few days as a whirlwind as he sealed his comeback to the club.

“It feels great,” he said. “Obviously it was a few years ago that I was here, but I’m back, older, and ready to get going.”

“It’s been exactly that, a bit of a whirlwind,” he said. “But I’m just excited to get it over the line.”

“I’ve been here before, so I’m excited to get back into it and hopefully there are good things to come this season.”

After taking part in his first training session since rejoining, following on from his first impressions last weekend, he said the environment felt instantly familiar.

“It was good,” he said. “It reminded me of the old sessions that we used to do [under Agutter at Worthing], so it wasn’t a stranger to me.”

“The boys were nice as well, welcoming me in, so it was a good first day.”

“Everyone was very welcoming and the fans were good as well [on Saturday]. All the boys said hello and asked how I’ve been, so it’s been really positive.”

Reflecting on his early career, he explained how his initial move to Sutton came after being spotted during trial matches following his release from Luton Town, who he had developed with until the end of his scholarship in 2019.

“I believe I was playing in trial games and I think some of the scouts here saw me,” he said.

“I came in and played with the under-21s for a while, then started training with the first team. I also went out on loan and played a couple of senior cup games, which was a great experience.”

“I’ll be honest, I don’t remember loads,” he added. “But I remember it being my first proper big crowd, which was a great experience and something I learned a lot from.”

He later experienced different styles of football during spells away from England, something he believes helped his development, with stints in Greece and France giving him a fresh, unique experience, even if it was something of a daunting prospect at the time.

“It was definitely different,” he said.

“There was a lot more aggression and physicality in one place, while in Greece it was more technical. I think I gained a lot of experience from both.”

“It was a bit of back and forth on whether I should go, but I don’t regret it. I learned a lot and I wouldn’t change my journey.”

After returning to England, spells with Hornchurch and Folkestone Invicta preceded perhaps his most successful season at the time, winning two awards at the end of his only campaign with Wingate & Finchley, seeing him progress through non-league football saw him earn individual recognition, which helped rebuild his confidence ahead of a big move up to the sixth tier with Worthing.

“It was great,” he said. “It was the first time I could really play freely and I think it showed in my performances.”

“The coach there helped me a lot and gave me the confidence to push on.”

“I think it took me a while to adjust to the league, but I know I adapt quickly and I think I showed that. I started to understand how to really show my skill set.”

Subsequently, Byron’s path took him to the National League South and a shot at promotion, joining Agutter and later Adam Hinshelwood at Worthing as the Rebels looked to build on the former’s record points haul last term.

Worthing currently sit second in the sixth tier, six points behind league leaders Dorking Wanderers, but have largely been one of, if not the most in-form team in the division, at least until the turn of the year. Despite this, the chance to exit the promotion-chasing Rebels in favour of a move straight to the fifth tier was one he said was not in doubt, especially after talking to Jon Meeney, Harry Ransom and Ashley Nadesan, three figures who were at Sutton as recently as the start of this season.

“It was a difficult decision,” he said. “I’ve never had a promotion on my CV, so I wanted that.”

“But as soon as I got the call to come here, I knew I wanted to work with the manager again. So it was hard but easy at the same time.”

“They were buzzing for me,” he said. “They said how good the club is and told me if I need anything, I can always give them a call. They were very supportive.”

Describing his style of play, he highlighted his athleticism and desire to contribute at both ends of the pitch, though, interestingly, he revealed he began his career further up the pitch before being converted into a defender.

“I’m an athletic defender who likes to attack as well as defend,” he said. “I take pride in defending, but I also like to get forward.”

“I was a striker and winger in the [Luton] academy. “Then a coach suggested I’d be good at centre-back, not just because of my size but because I could drive forward with the ball. I’ve kept that in my game ever since.”

Now back at Sutton United for the final stretch of the season, he is eager to make an immediate impact.