Millwall striker Isaac Olaofe on Sutton United title win and his plan to capture all of the celebrations
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Isaac Olaofe enjoyed the greatest day of his fledgling career last weekend as Sutton United won promotion – and the young Millwall attacker made sure he captured extensive footage of the post-match celebrations.
The striker, 21, scored his 14th goal of the season for the Amber as they beat Hartlepool United on Sunday to clinch the National League title and a place in the EFL for the first time in the club’s 123-year history.
And Olaofe quickly had his mobile in hand after the full-time whistle as Matt Gray’s side enjoyed the moment in front of 1,050 fans at Gander Green Lane.
“I just went straight to my knees – it was a great feeling,” said Lewisham-born Olaofe. “I can’t even put properly into words what it was like, just a lot of relief being lifted off your body that we had actually done this and created history.
“I just felt so blessed.
“Afterwards we went into a bar at the club and we were playing music, watching TV and dancing. It was just how we celebrated as a team – together. We took a lot of pictures and videos to soak up the memories. I told my friend at half-time: ‘Bro, if we’re still winning by the 80th minute then go into the changing room, go into my pocket and get my phone – bring it straight to me when the full-time whistle goes’.
“That’s what he did. Those pictures and videos last a long time.”
Olaofe – nicknamed Tanto – got to bed around 2am on Monday morning.
His 80th-minute finish rounded off the scoring as Sutton clinched a place in League Two with one fixture still to go.
“That’s definitely my best moment in football,” he said. “To win 3-0 in front of our fans – to lift up the trophy in front of them and make history – you can’t really do much better than that.
“The fans are always going to be supportive, because that is their club and they want it to do well. In return we’re just giving back to them. We do the hard work on the pitch but they have supported us, either by watching the streams or sending messages of encouragement – whether that is on Twitter or Instagram.
“It was a sweet moment to soak in this beautiful moment with them.”
Olaofe was raised in Dartford and was signed by Millwall at U14 level. He was playing county football for Kent as a winger when he was offered a six-week trial.
“We won 7-2 and I got two goals and two assists,” he recalled. “About four or five weeks later I was playing for Kent again, we won 1-0 and I scored. I got the ball on the halfway line from a throw-in, dribbled past most of the opposition and around their goalkeeper. Later that night Barry Dunn [head of recruitment and talent] called my parents saying ‘we want to sign your son Tanto’.
“I had a trial with Crystal Palace when I was about 10 or 11.
“Larry McAvoy and Chris Perry have been pivotal to my development. They are the current U18 managers.
“I have been with Larry since I was an U14, he used to do day release with us and I’d be in training with him. He wants the best for the players. And then when Chris came in at U16, I feel like that was one of my best seasons at Millwall – our team was so strong. He allowed me to play with freedom.”
Olaofe still has another season on his Millwall contract.
Initially he joined Danny McNamara at St Johnstone in July but made only two substitute appearances before his loan was terminated. Olaofe swiftly signed for Sutton, who he had already had a five-game spell with in February and March of last year.
“Game time and minutes is vital in a young player’s career so that is why I went on loan to Sutton,” he said. “I’ve played nearly 3,000 minutes and played 36 games, that’s a very good achievement.
“I was looking to get 15 goals in the league and I have got 14 right now, 16 in all competitions. I got two goals in the FA Trophy.
“I was looking at the top goalscorers in the National League and I’m amongst some very good and experienced players. I’m the only one under 21 to be in the top 10. It’s a great achievement.”
The plan appears to be for Olaofe to be part of Millwall’s senior squad when they report back to pre-season.
That will allow Lions manager Gary Rowett to assess the attacker’s progress and what is best suited for his development.
Sutton have already made no secret of their desire to have Olaofe back on their books for the 2021-22 campaign.
“This was my first full season of men’s football and it will definitely help going into pre-season,” said Olaofe. “It would be a pleasure to represent Millwall. My dream is to make my debut for them in the Championship.
“It is about being patient and taking hold of the opportunity when it comes.”
Sutton’s story proves that anything can happen. They were not seen as title contenders before a ball was kicked.
“That’s the beauty of football,” said Olaofe. “You can change so many people’s perspectives. That’s what we did, we sent out a huge shockwave through the whole league.
“Just the consistency needed to stay first or second over a span of seven months shows the kind of players we have in this team.
“We had a real hunger to get better and always wanted to do our best for our team-mates.”
PICTURES: ROB AVIS