Nov. 3, 2008

Story courtesy of Union Sports Information Office

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - An invasion occurred last season at Union College. A pair of Englishmen joined the Bulldogs' squad and it led to even more joining the team.

In all, six Englishmen helped Union to a 10-5-3 record this year.

The first two Englishmen brought different aspects to the Bulldogs. Jonathan Sutton (Portsmouth) played as a forward in 2007 before moving to the midfield this season. Sutton was the first Englishman to sign with Union and was soon followed by Jonathan Shaw (Merseyside). Shaw plays in goal as the last line of defense at 6-foot-7.

Both of the elder Englishmen noted on while there are many similarities between England and the United States, there are still some slight differences.

"There are little things that are different here," said Shaw, adding how there is not as much public transportation in Barbourville. "I can hop on a train to go anywhere in England."

Sutton injected, "The people here are nice and makes it easy to settle in. Everywhere you look, there is a nice person."

Communicating back home is easier in this day and age thanks to the Internet. With Skype and email, the family can keep in touch often. And with the addition of the Bulldog Sports Network, numerous games are broadcasted over the Internet which allows the families to watch.

What makes communicating back home for the Englishmen is the five-hour time difference, meaning conversations with home have to be balanced between games, practices, class work and sometimes sleep.

The duo noted that soccer in America is different than how the game is played in England.

"I feel like I have more time over the ball," said Sutton, elaborating by adding that in England, quicker decisions with the ball are required due to the heavy pressure from the defense.

Shaw is able to see it from the goal, looking over the players.

Union head coach Tyler Brock added that the Englishmen have brought a seriousness and passion for soccer to the team.

"Soccer is what they grew up playing and they have lived the game," Brock said.

He also commented on how Sutton and Shaw have laid the groundwork for the Englishmen and the rest of the team to follow. Brock boasted about the duo's professionalism and dedication to being a true student-athlete.

Another change for the tall Englishmen was the landscape as this was the first time they lived in a mountainous area.

Prior to the 2008 season, Shaw and Sutton were joined by four fellow countrymen as freshmen Chris Riley (Cornwall), Dan Johnson (Lancashire), Liam Johnson (East Yorkshire) and Dan Holleran (London) continued the English invasion.

The players learned of Union through a recruiting agency. After tryouts, the agency forwarded contact information, player profiles and game film to coaches across the country, giving Brock his first glimpse of the Englishmen.

Dan Johnson added something to Union home games this year, a large English flag that flies behind the bench. It gives the six players some country pride as it is displayed on the field and in the dorm room.

On the field, Sutton led the team with six assists this season from the midfield after scoring a team-best seven goals as a freshman forward. Shaw posted four shutouts in 17 matches in 2008 and two of the shutouts were in conference play. He has a goal-against average of 1.14 with 57 saves.

In coming to Union, the six have grown closer together and plan on visiting each other while in school and after leaving Union. Sutton even talked about meeting for Christmas back home in England.

When not on the pitch, the group likes to hang out in the Student Center trying new activities such as billiards, table tennis or going to Robison Arena for a volleyball match.

Shaw mentioned how playing soccer at Union gave him a chance to make something of his life, commenting that others from home are not in school and working while he is continuing his soccer career and getting an education.

Sutton remarked how he has enjoyed the experience and is considering staying in America after graduation.

Union travels to Montreat (N.C.) College for the first round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Saturday at 2 p.m. These two teams played earlier in the week to a scoreless tie.