Goodbye To Barrie. Legend Williams Mourned By Sutton

Williams passed away in Spain, where he called home for the latter part of his life - but the south west London club was never far away from his thoughts.

Taking charge or Sutton’s most famous ever moment - the 1989 FA Cup triumph over Coventry City - he was considered as one of the club’s all time greats. He spent a decade at the helm.

Current Sutton manager Paul Doswell posted on Twitter: "I was so pleased to meet Barrie at a recent home game.

"Like John Rains a club legend who has sadly left us. Proud to of met both these great men and honoured to follow in their footsteps. Barrie created history and will never be forgotten."

The club posted a statement confirming the news and also adding background to what he achieved at Gander Green Lane.

“We learned the very sad news this morning that Barrie Williams, who managed Sutton United throughout the successes we enjoyed in the 1980s, had passed away in Spain, where he had been living in retirement for a number of years.

“Barrie joined the club in 1977, originally as Keith Blunt’s assistant, taking over as manager two years later and guiding the club to two Isthmian League titles, two top ten finishes in the GM Vauxhall Conference, the FA Trophy final and, of course, the 1989 FA Cup triumph over Coventry City, as well as a number of League and County Cup triumphs, including six successive Surrey Senior Cups between 1983 and 1988.

“After leaving the club in 1989 he went on later to manage the England Ladies’ team and Hendon.”