Versatile youngster Cameron Sutton could not be happier about his long overdue move into senior football. For the past five seasons 22-year old Sutton has been biding his time patiently in Inglewood United’s reserves, who last year he captained to the regular season and play-off titles. Sutton had good reason to expect that double success would bring him into first team contention this year, but when that didn’t eventuate he refused to be deterred. A fortnight ago his years of hard work and commitment were finally rewarded with a starting eleven spot for the trip to ECU Joondalup.
Sutton, who also started last weekend’s home fixture with Stirling Lions, is understandably delighted at breaking into the senior line-up, and is equally as determined to remain there. “I’m really enjoying the opportunity, it’s difficult but at the same time it’s very rewarding,” said Sutton, the son of Inglewood’s dual Gold Medal winner Norrie Sutton. “First team football is a lot higher tempo and the intensity is greater. Everything is faster and your decision-making is key, even small mistakes can be costly. But I’m playing with some good experienced players who are making the transition smooth.”
If adjusting to the rigours of first team football wasn’t enough of a challenge, Sutton is doing it in a largely unfamiliar defensive role. “For most of the Under-20s season I’ve been playing an attacking midfield role, looking to break lines and provide the link between defence and attack,” he explained. “Due to injuries and other player absences, I moved to a centre-back role and have enjoyed the change. That switch has helped me transition into a similar position for the first team as they, too, have been short on defensive players.”
Sutton was only six when he first played for Inglewood and, other than three seasons at Stirling, has played his entire career to date out of Intiga Stadium. “I’ve always enjoyed Inglewood, it’s a great club with a long history and in years to come they’ll be a real National Premier Leagues leader,” Sutton commented. “We have a great group of players who all get along really well and have developed a strong friendship. We also have great coaches and backroom staff who work together for the club, and our youth set-up is ensuring the future of players coming up through the ranks.”
As season 2014 comes to a close Sutton is aiming to further his development and lift Inglewood a few rungs higher up the ladder. “I’m quite happy with how I’ve been playing this year but I’m always looking to constantly improve and to keep up consistent performances to better myself,” he commented. “In terms of the teams, I want us to win every game. Both the first and reserve teams should be much higher up the ladder, our current positions don’t reflect the good football Inglewood has been playing and the hard work of our coaching staff throughout the year.”
