From Phoenix fan to player
It was only a few years ago that Sam Sutton was sitting on the bus with a group of Wellington Phoenix supporters, on his way to Eden Park to watch his first game of professional football.
‘‘I remember being really excited getting on the bus, it was all packed with Phoenix fans and I was just a little boy really excited to go watch a game,’’ he said. ‘‘Now I’m on the other side of that.’’
On Saturday, Sutton became the 146th player to play for the Phoenix, making his A-League debut in a 2-2 draw with leaders Sydney FC.
Although he was only on the pitch for a few minutes, the 18-year-old midfielder said it was a dream come true to play for the club he has supported since he was a child.
‘‘Ever since I was a kid I was dreaming of a moment like this,’’ he said. ‘‘It was just great to get on the field and get an experience like that. Waiting on the sideline and then getting subbed on for [Jaushua] Sotirio, seeing all the crowd cheering when I came on was absolutely awesome.
‘‘After the game, going to sign autographs for all the young boys and girls and seeing their parents, being on the other side of it is insane and a really humbling moment.’’
Sutton grew up in Auckland but moved to Wellington to join the Phoenix Football Academy when he was 14.
His family came with him and he enrolled at Wellington College, where he was still studying only a couple of months ago.
‘‘We realised it was such a good opportunity, we can’t really turn it down. It was getting crunch time and I had to be selfish about my development, and I think it’s the best decision I’ve made in my football career because I would not be where I am now.
‘‘The academy has been great and my family have been really supportive. My mum, dad and sister all moved down for me and we’re still renting the same house, so if I don’t make it I definitely can’t blame anything on them.’’
Although he does not have a professional contract, Sutton was promoted to the first team squad after impressing for the Phoenix reserves, a team he also captains.
He sat on the bench for three games before getting his opportunity to make his debut against Sydney, coach Ufuk Talay throwing him in during stoppage time.
His family missed the game as they were back in Auckland for Christmas but Sutton said they were cheering in front of the TV.
‘‘Against the top team, I thought I wouldn’t get on. But then Uffie called me over, it was a really exciting moment and all the boys on the bench were cheering me on.
‘‘Uffie said you’ll get a few moments to show yourself, there’s no pressure, see what you can do and enjoy yourself, and he gave me a smile and a slap on the back and I got out there.
‘‘Mum probably had a tear in her eye when I got on. They’re proud of me.’’
Now that he has got a taste of A-League football, Sutton said he was determined to kick on with his career and push for regular game time in the hope of winning a professional contract.
The Phoenix are away to former coach Mark Rudan’s Western United this Saturday, where they will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games.