Aaron Brown
One of the Magnificent Seven, Brown was more adequate than anything. I confess, I did rate him, but his overall output was ‘okay’. As with most of the Jacko side, Sutton didn’t fancy him at all, and he left by mutual consent in February 2010.
After leaving Lincoln City in February 2010, Aaron Brown joined Wrexham, making a handful of appearances before moving to Darlington, where he helped the club win the 2011 FA Trophy. Despite financial turmoil, he remained loyal during their crisis before signing for Bath City in 2012, scoring on his debut.
Brown later had short spells with Hungerford Town and Weston-super-Mare, featuring more than 30 times for the latter and netting a memorable free-kick against Hayes & Yeading, before becoming player-coach at Paulton Rovers in 2015.
Shane Clarke
Clarke was an academy graduate who had only recently been awarded with a two-year deal by Jacko. He was a regular in the former Bradford man’s squad, but as with many of the players on this list, he wasn’t for Sutton.
After leaving City in August 2010, Clarke had short spells with Gateshead and Boston United, where he impressed before earning a trial with Chicago Fire in the MLS. He later joined Gainsborough Trinity, forming a strong midfield partnership with Jonathan D’Laryea and helping the club reach the National League North play-off final in 2012.
Further moves followed to Worksop Town and Tamworth, before returning to Boston United and then Gainsborough Trinity for a second spell. In 2022, he signed for Lincoln United, while also building a career as a personal trainer and nutritionist.
Stefan Oakes
Oakes was a Jackson signing from the season before, but after Richard Butcher returned to the club, he was told he could leave. Ironically, Sutton got rid of Butcher, not Oakes, and he survived a little into Sutton’s reign.
He didn’t last long; his contract was terminated in March 2010. Oakes spent time on trial with Mansfield Town and Halesowen Town before joining Tamworth in the Conference National. Later that year, he moved to the United States to continue his playing and coaching career with F.C. New York.
He briefly returned to England in 2013 with Oadby Town before resuming his coaching work in America. Since then, Oakes has established himself in North Carolina, serving as Elite Technique Director for North Carolina FC and coaching at North Carolina FC Youth and GPS Lexington Soccer Academy.
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