Saturday saw the induction of the latest entrants to the Sutton United Hall of Fame, which was launched in 2011 to honour those men and women who have played an outstanding part in creating and maintaining the club’s wonderful history, whether they be players, club officials or supporters. Club chairman Bruce Elliott made the following presentations before the game against Rochdale.
CATHERINE CHAMBERS
”Cat” was inducted in recognition of her contribution to the fitness of the club’s players through her always positive therapy sessions. Cat joined the club in July 2009 on a part time basis, volunteering alongside club physio Bobby Childs as the club went on to win the Isthmian League in 2011. Her support was instrumental in keeping the team fit during five years in National League South, culminating in the 2016 league title. She continued to be involved for the next five seasons, including the historic FA Cup run of 2016/17, before taking on a full time position as the club won the National League and promotion to the Football League, enjoying Wembley for the 2022 EFL Trophy Final.
From 2024 Cat reverted to a part-time role as the First Team Sports Therapist.
JIMMY DACK
Jimmy’s election in to the Hall of Fame reflects an association with the club spanning more than thirty years. Jimmy came to the club’s attention when playing in Epsom & Ewell’s youth team, making his debut against Telford in August 1990 and winning a Bob Lord Trophy medal in 1991. Spells with Crawley and Carshalton followed before he rejoined U’s in 1995, holding down a regular place for nearly three years before another brief sojourn, at Aldershot, from where he returned to feature in our Isthmian League championship season of 1998-99. In total Jimmy scored 35 goals in 264 appearances.
Jimmy took over as Caretaker Manager in April 2008 but declined the offer of the full time role. He then enjoyed a successful coaching career, culminating in promotion to the EFL as Assistant Manager with Newport County, where he progressed to the manager’s role in 2015.
Jimmy returned to Sutton in January 2022 as Director of the Football Academy, steering it to the coveted Category 3 status.
TONY DOLBEAR
The Voice of Sutton United for almost four decades, Tony has been responsible for the matchday PA at more than a thousand games. His induction in to the Hall of Fame recognises his immense contribution to promoting the club and advising supporters of everything from transfer news to cancelled trains.
Tony’s first Sutton match was the 1968 Amateur Cup semi final, and he became a regular follower in 1973, joining the Supporters’ Club committee in 1979 and helping to run the Club Shop before joining the Management Committee in 1988 as Press Secretary, with responsibility for the PA system and the award-winning matchday programme, as well as hosting media on matchdays. Tony announced the famous winning goal against Coventry City and in 2017 was still going strong for Jamie Collins’ winning penalty against Leeds United.
He still commentates at most away games and has contributed match reports to various newspapers for forty years, and was responsible for the club website from 2008 until 2024. He has been a contrbutor to numerous club books and also served as Company Secretary between 2014 and 2019.
