“Billy is an excellent spokesman and ambassador for his country.”
— Perry Anderson Junior
Chief of Miami Police (ret.)
Billy "Sutty" Sutton is certainly one of a kind. In my many years with The City of Miami Police Department and more particularly in my five years as Police Chief, the hard work and dedication of Billy changed the lives of so many people in Miami. Billy's reach, even from the shores of the United Kingdom, continues today in his quest to make the lives of those in Miami and elsewhere....better!
My wife Lillian has had ongoing conversations with Billy over the years and as a family we both cherish him especially as his 80th birthday approaches
I have nothing but admiration and respect for Billy Sutton as he has dedicated his life to helping others with no expectations or personal gains. This is the true definition of a "giver". I wholeheartedly give my unwavering love and support to a selfless individual who has enriched the lives of so many people. God Bless you always Billy Sutton.
— Donald H. Warshaw
Chief of Miami Police (ret.)
To my dearest friend Billy ‘Sutty’ Sutton. You are the greatest orator I have ever heard.”
— Clarence Dickson
Chief of Miami Police (ret.)
I am one of "Sutty's" Miami friends. There are others who have retired and moved, just moved, or unfortunately have passed away. I was very late to meeting Billy since I tracked him down after he had already returned to England. It turns out that he was a witness to an arrest that became a police "use of force" incident that I was defending on behalf of the Cty of Miami for whom I worked at that time as an Assistant City Attorney. To make a long story short, we eventually won the case, and the City and its police officer were exonerated of any civil liability.
My interaction with "Sutty" began as described and blossomed into a friendship that has lasted for 30-something years at this point. I had the opportunity to visit England to represent the City of Miami when "Sutty" was honored by the City of Birmingham in the late 90s. During that time, I spoke to and learned so much more about what "Sutty" had done in bringing together the City of Birmingham police and the Miami Police Department to benefit the underprivileged children in both cities through a "football" (to us soccer) program and boxing project. To say that everyone I met who knew "Sutty' sang his praises and complimented his good works for children who were involved on both sides of "the pond."
By then I had been elected as a Circuit Court Judge and was about to transition into that position when I went to England to represent the City of Miami at the event in "Sutty's" hometown.
I had a great time and it was a delight to attend a football game and other activities and to see what "Sutty" and his friends had accomplished and were continuing to do in their efforts to help the youth of the area.
In closing, Billy, or"Sutty" as you call him has been and is a great friend and an inspiration of optimism through difficult and hard times. I am lucky to know him for all these years.
— Leon M. Firtel
Top Miami Judge (ret.)
“To my blood brother Sutty. The finest speaker of real life and emotions I have ever listened to without a script.”
— Gary Stretch
Actor, Director & Former Boxing Champion
“Sutty, you’ve been an unbelievable friend over the years, what a character you are”
— Bryan Robson
Former England and Manchester United Captain
“I first got to know Billy when l became manager of West Bromwich Albion. It seemed everyone in Birmingham knew him as a local character. Later he won everybody’s admiration when he started the scheme to bring disadvantaged boys from Miami over to England for boxing matches .l know from personal experience what a great thrill for those young kids to have had a great opportunity. So Full Marks Billy Sutton!!!”
— Ron Atkinson
Former Manchester United Manager
“To my dearest friend Sutty, if you stick around long enough you get hip again!”
— Mica Paris
Singer, Presenter, Actress, and Great Friend
“Sutty was always full of interesting stories and is a great orator.”
— John Fitzpatrick
Former Motor Racing Champion
From Ocean to Continent; No kinder man than he.
— Rick Sanchez
Journalist Fox News Miami
“Action-packed story, at times heartbreaking with non-stop humour!”
— Shaun Attwood
Author, YouTuber & Activist
I first got to know Billy Sutton in the 1970s when I was running the sport on the old BBC Radio Birmingham. I met him through a mutual friend, the late television presenter Alan Towers.
We immediately got on and I was struck by his encyclopaedic knowledge of non-league football. I had been wondering for some time how to improve our coverage of the non-league scene and I suddenly realised Billy was the answer.
He became a regular contributor on various programmes I presented and a very popular one at that. Everyone knew him. He had such charismatic personality and that really came across on air. He was so passionate.
Socially, he was just....Billy. Never a dull moment! I treasure our friendship and the great memories from those now distant days. I am so glad we are still in touch.
— Nick Owen
Television Presenter
“I wish we could clone Billy Sutton and put them in all communities, this world would be a better place.”
“Billy, I love you, May God bless you, and the Lord look over you for the rest of your life…Until we meet again.”
— Joe Rimondi
Miami Police Officer (ret.)
"It makes absolute sense that Billy and I would share the same birthday...We're both cool dudes!" Haha...I got to know Billy and his story as part of the cast for his movie "The Legend Plays On" where I played "The Cuban" and the more I got to know about him and his story, firstly through the script, then the cast and from discussions with him, the more amazed I became! He's an absolute example to those that wish to turn their lives around that it is possible with determination, a goal, and discipline- you can create the positive outcomes you want for yourselves...no matter what! Billy's been a remarkable inspiration to everyone who knows him and I am very honoured to say that I know him and had a part to play in telling his story on screen!
Have a happy and brilliant 80th birthday Billy! You are definitely the "Legend" who lives on and we look forward to seeing and hearing more of you for at least 20 more birthdays with you and little Miami!"
— Alister Albert
Actor playing ‘The Cuban’ In The Legend Plays On.
“Sutty spoke brilliantly and the reaction I got from colleagues and listeners was extremely positive.”
— Ben Ellis
Switch Radio Presenter
“I played percussion on the song for Billy Sutton. I’ve known Sutty for a few years and was delighted to do this for him, and now his coming birthday of 80 is quite remarkable taking Into account all he has done and achieved.”
— Eddie Mcguire
Musician
I would just like to say it's been a pleasure knowing Billy for well over 40 years. What this man did for youth football in Birmingham and for all the work he did in Miami is truly remarkable for what he achieved.
It's been an honour knowing him and I would like to wish him a very happy 80th birthday because no one deserves it more than him.
— John Capaldi
Former Aston Villa player
“I have known Billy since 1987 and class him as a true friend. I have nothing but admiration and respect for what Billy carried out in Miami in the 1980’s whilst simultaneously creating the little league in Birmingham. I have even more admiration for Billy in his daily battle as a recovering alcoholic.
Happy 80th Birthday Billy.”
— Jimmy Giles
Friend
What can I say about Sutty, he is a good friend I have known for many years, and some of those years he was crazy !
But what a brilliant human being god bless!!
— Steve Shaw
Legend of Non-League Football
Billy Sutton is 80 which in itself is a miracle. His many long-time friends, including me, are delighted with that news as we all move up the bench.
Billy’s flowers were always excellent but did not bloom as much as his magnificent charity work. He is a top man and a great Brummie! Here is to many more years of the enthusiastic( if sometimes over the top) Billy Sutton!
We all love you mate, Happy birthday,
— Gary Newbon MBE
Television Presenter
“Billy Sutton is rightly described as a Birmingham legend and is someone that I can call a true friend. Given the issues that Billy has experienced in his life, it’s a massive achievement to reach this landmark birthday.
Happy 80th Birthday, Billy. Have a great day! “
— Gary Shaw
Aston Villa legend
“Sutty was a stand out guest and without doubt one of the highlights of my career.”
— David Evitts
Riviera FM Presenter
“We have known Sutty for a number of years now since we had an holiday in Brixham. He was so welcoming when we met him, we got chatting away. Since then he didn’t just become a friend he is like part of a family member and really good friend that we dearly love. His stories always amaze us and his character is so bubbly. We love him dearly!”
— Joanne Dolan and Jamie Dunn.
Dear Friends, From Walsall near Sutty's hometown.
“Happy 80th billy! What can I say apart from you always come out your corner fighting! You beat the drink! You beat the cancer on your head, then the cancer again this year. You are a winner and fighter! You and Miami and your wingman Steve drive me mad every morning 😂. But I lost my marbles years ago! We are both rough diamonds, but I would not change us for all the money in china”
— Love Sean and Hilary Houlahan 😂👍.
Special, Dear Friends.