Sutton United chairman Bruce Elliott has backed manager John Rains' decision to release Moroccan international goalkeeper Chuck Martini.

Martini, who signed for the club from Hendon at the end of last season, played his last game for Sutton in their 2-2 draw away to Maidenhead 10 days ago.

Martini's exit paves the way for reserve goalkeeper Tommy Dunn to establish himself in the first team.

Elliott said: "Chuck is an international goalkeeper and it would have been wrong to play someone like him in the reserves.

"It's nothing sinister some players come to a club and do well, others don't."

Elliott believes reserve team manager Phil Dunn deserves a lot of the credit for producing young players like Dunn for the first team squad.

"Tommy and other young players are the future of clubs like ours. Ed Hutchinson and his achievements at Brentford are a prime example of what Phil has achieved."

Sutton had no game last Saturday because they are out of the FA Trophy, but they are back in league action at home to Bedford Town this weekend. See tomorrow's Sutton Comet for the latest from Gander Green Lane.

December 6, 2001 09:31