An in-depth look into Sutton’s latest recruit, Liam Vincent.

 

South London born and bred, Liam Vincent is no stranger to the area having begun his footballing journey as a Bromley fan, beginning his long association with the Ravens as a young teenager. He then cemented his place as part of the team when he joined the club’s Youth Section, playing for the U14s, and progressed up the age groups before joining the Academy at the age of 16.

Having come through the pathway from Youth to Academy, he combined his education and studies at Ravensbourne School alongside daily training sessions, and following impressive performances for his Academy side, he was invited to train with the First Team squad where he would really make his mark.

His talent was spotted at an early age, and first featured in the first team during a friendly away to Dartford during the 2019/20 season, as well as playing the full 90 minutes in a 4-3 win over Cray Wanderers.

He then went on to become one of the Club’s ‘First Year Professionals’ whilst also continuing to play in the Academy setup. Liam was heavily involved in the Under-18’s FA Youth Cup journey during 2020/21, playing a key role as the young Ravens reached the Third Round for the first time ever, featuring in all of the five rounds played and scoring in three of them.

A rapid rise up the ranks was then topped off by a memorable moment as the youngster, then aged just 17, replaced James Alabi to make his First Team debut in an FA Trophy game against Hemel Hempstead Town. It was certainly a strong way to finish 2020, and life got even better for Liam as he then went on to make his National League debut as a substitute in a 2-0 win over King’s Lynn Town, going on to feature seven times for the club with six consecutive appearances in March and April 2021. This included three starts, including his full debut for the club in a 2-2 draw against Wealdstone, and while a proud moment for both his family and the club’s academy, this was just a sign of things to come as he soon made the step up to the third tier of English football, with Liam League One-bound.

Indeed, a move to Portsmouth was confirmed in June 2021 after just a single season in Bromley’s first team, with high hopes for the young wing-back. He was given his first senior outing in a pre-season friendly at Havant & Waterlooville ahead of the 2021/22 season, and scored a fine free kick in a 3-0 win for the League One side, before being named on the bench nine times during the League One season.

Unfortunately, Liam’s maiden campaign with Pompey was marred by a shin injury which kept him sidelined for much of the season, and was soon sent out on loan in search of regular first team experience after his recovery, joining Maidstone United in August 2022 on a 28-day deal. In what was a far cry from his prior experience in the National League, Liam joined the newly promoted Stones having won the National League South title the previous season, and played twice as the club looked to establish themselves in the fifth tier following a three-year absence, including a start in a 1-1 draw with Altrincham and a half-an-hour substitute appearance in a 5-0 defeat to AFC Wrexham.

Upon his return to Fratton Park, Liam was immediately sent back out on loan with a switch to Hampton & Richmond Borough, allowing the wing-back to experience his first season at National League South level. An instant hit at the Beveree Stadium, he went on to play 16 times during his stint in London and notably bagged a hat-trick on Boxing Day in a 4-3 thriller against Worthing, a club he would soon join on loan for the second half of the season.

He subsequently got the chance to work under current York City boss, Adam Hinshelwood, and embarked on three separate stints with the Rebels, eventually leaving in November 2023 with 21 appearances, and played a key role as the club reached the National League South play-offs, including featuring across every minute of both the eliminator round and the semi-final, which they would lose to eventual winners, Oxford City.

Nonetheless, Liam showed strong progression during his time on the South Coast, and returned to the sixth tier again with a loan move to Chelmsford City, although he was limited to just one appearance – against former club Maidstone – before making the switch to fellow National League South side Tonbridge Angels on an initial loan deal.

His time at the Longmead Stadium proved to be incredibly fruitful, initially joining on a one-month deal as cover for the injured Jernade Meade, before remaining at the club until to the end of the season. His time in Kent saw him show his versatility by covering a number of positions, and ended the campaign with 16 appearances to his name.

A successful spell in Kent saw him return to the club on a permanent deal ahead of the 2024/25 season, and he became an ever-present for the National League South side, making 41 appearances in all competitions as well scoring nine goals from the left flank, joint with Sean Shields as the club’s top scorer last term.