14/07/2026
* * * NEW STOCK ALERT * * *
This coming season sees the 40th anniversary of one of the most significant innovations within the football pyramid, namely the introduction of automatic promotion between the Conference and the Football League.
Gone was the archaic system of the bottom four clubs seeking re-election and fending off ambitious non-league clubs, which had last seen Wimbledon and Wigan Athletic "elected" to the Football League in 1977 and 1978 respectively, although there were a number of occasions in the first decade after 1987 when the Conference Champions were denied promotion due to alleged inadequate stadium facilities. Clubs who wanted to enter the Football League quickly got their act together in ensuring their stadia were good enough for this loophole to be closed. Now of course, a second club earns promotion via a lengthy and convoluted play-off system, and indeed the teams at the top of the non-league pyramid are currently pushing for that to be increased to three.
Since Scarborough were promoted in 1987, there have been mixed blessings for teams which been promoted to the Football League. Many clubs relegated out of the Football League had little difficulty navigating a quick return. Barnet made history two seasons ago by becoming the first team to go from the Conference/National League into the Football League on four occasions. Clubs such as Wycombe Wanderers, Cheltenham Town, Burton Albion, and Stevenage have been part of the Football League furniture for so long it's hard to remember them not being there.
Yet there are also a string of clubs who made it into the Football League but survived there for no more than a few years - the likes of Maidstone United, Kidderminster Harriers, Barrow, Dagenham & Redbridge, Macclesfield, Aldershot Town, Rushden & Diamonds, Boston United and Yeovil Town (who even made it as far as the Championship) are either back in non-league football or have folded completely and have reappeared as 'phoenix' clubs.
But if there was one National League winning club who took everyone by surprise, then surely it was Sutton United in Season 2020-21. Technically a London club though very much in suburban Surrey, Sutton edged the title by four points from a chasing pack which included ex-League clubs such as Stockport, Torquay, Notts County, and Chesterfield. Unfortunately, none of the club's supporters were able to witness this success, with all games played behind closed gates due to the health restrictions operating at the time.
They hit the ground running in their first season in the Football League, finishing eighth and therefore missing out on the play-offs by the narrowest of margins, but enjoying a day in the sun at Wembley by reaching the EFL Trophy final. 14th place was all the club could manage in 2022-23, and this proved to be the prelude to a third and final season, 23rd place in 2024 meant Sutton accompanied Forest Green Rovers back out of the Football League.
With colours officially listed as chocolate and amber, Sutton United's kits stand out a little more than most, and while Macron were still their supplier upon promotion, it was the Irish manufacturer O'Neills which provided their shirts for their other two Football League campaigns - and we've got some !!!
We're pleased to offer serious shirt collectors a handful of matchworn & player issue Sutton United shirts from across Seasons 2022-23 & 2023-24. In addition to handful of home shirts, there is a selection of away, "3rd" and goalkeeper shirts, all carrying player-spec EFL numbers and names, and competition-specific sleeve badges (some of the shirts originated from F.A. Cup and League Cup ties). A couple of shirts even have bespoke pouches in the nape of the neck to accommodate electronic heart and health monitors which seem to be the norm in professional football these days. Shirt sizes reflect the individual player requirements.
We think there are some cracking shirts on offer, the white 2023-24 away top being particularly striking. Full details of these newly acquired shirts are listed http://www.nwmfootball.com/the-shirt-shop/english-clubs/sutton-united/ here, with "transfer fees" of £40 per top required !
These shirts were obtained directly from Sutton United FC, and we will prepare a Certificate of Authenticity to that effect for each shirt. They'll be available to view and buy when we join Go East Vintage for the Bermondsey Vintage Flea this weekend. With Sutton spending such a short time in the Football League, these shirts will make welcome additions to any matchworn collection.
