Sutton United inducted three more distinguished past players in to the club's Hall of Fame prior to yesterday's game at home to Crewe, while at the evening party to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary all those present who are in the Hall of Fame were call upon stage for a group photo (above).
The three inductees prior to the Crewe game were:
ROD BROOKES
351 appearances; 46 goals
Inducted in to the Hall of Fame for his vital role in the club's last great amateur team. Rod joined from Wimbledon in 1965 and played many early games as a centre forward before settling on a more defensive role, at home in midfield or the back four. He established a reputation as a hard-tackling dynamo and became a firm favourite with the fans for his never say die attitude. Rod won a championship medal in 1967 and played in the 1969 Amateur Cup final and also against Leeds in 1970 before finishing his career with Dulwich Hamlet, and an annual golf challenge between Sutton and Dulwich has been established in his memory.
Receiving the award on Rod's behalf from chairman Bruce Elliott were his daughter Jo and son Ben
MIKE CORNWELL
244 appearances; 71 goals
Inducted in to the Hall of Fame as an integral part of the club's successes of the 1980s. Originally signed from Horsham in August 1979, he played in the FA Trophy Final in 1981 and then had a year out after brain surgery. Following three successful seasons at Worthing, Mike returned to Sutton in November 1985 to help win the league in 1986 and a first promotion to the National Conference. He won three straight Surrey Senior Cups, scoring in every round including the final in the 1987-88 success. Prominent in the 1987-88 FA Cup run, scoring against both Aldershpt and Peterborough, he then suffered a broken leg in the 4th qualifying round game agaunst Walton & Hersham in 1998-99, and famously waved his crutches as his team-mates beat Coventry.
MICKY GOODALL
168 appearances, 114 goals
Inducted in to the Hall of Fame as one of the club's most prolific goalscorers. Micky joined in summer 1961 from Portsmouth with U's in the Athenian League. He then played and scored in the 1963 Amateur Cup final against Wimbledon and continued that form in to the Isthmian League. Micky's total of 114 goals in just 168 games leaves him second in the club's goals per game ratio.
Unfortunately Micky was not well enough to travel to yesterday's game and his cousin Wendy received the award on his behalf.
In the headline photo from the evening party, the Hall of Fame members are (left to right): Craig Eastmond, Dave Farebrother, Nigel Golley, Mike Cornwell, Micky Stephens, Tony Rains, Craig Dundas, Bruce Elliott, Matt Gray, Paul McKinnon, Micky Joyce, Dominic Feltham.