THE Western Bulldogs are mourning the death of club legend Charlie Sutton who died this afternoon at Western General Hospital.

He was 88.

Sutton made his name as a tough back pocket and played 173 games for Footscray from 1942-1956.

But he will forever be remembered as the captain of the Dogs' only premiership team in 1954. He played a starring role in the Dogs' 51-point win against Melbourne.

Leave your tribute to Charlie below

The club said today that despite being extremely frail, he was determined to attend the Western Bulldogs 2012 Hall of Fame ceremony, less than two weeks ago.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen (affectionately referred to as Chubb) and his children Pamela, Charles, Charlene, Gary and Dorothy, and their families.

Sutton's list of achievements include being named coach of the Bulldogs’ Team of the Century, an AFL Hall of Fame inductee and inaugural Bulldogs Hall of Fame inductee and Legend.

“On behalf of the board of directors, staff, coaches, players and members of the Western Bulldogs Football Club we are deeply saddened by the passing of Charlie,” Bulldogs president David Smorgon said today.



“To me and thousands of Bulldogs fans, Charlie Sutton is "The Bulldog" - typifying the Bulldog Spirit.



“One of our great club legends, he will be forever remembered for the massive contribution he has made to the Bulldogs over the past 70 years.



"Captain and coach of our premiership side in 1954 and club president 1978 to 1981 - Charlie had red, white and blue in his heart.

“There is no doubt that Charlie Sutton is the best example of a Bulldog ‘through and through’ and he will be greatly missed”.

Described as one of the toughest back pocket players in the game, he represented Victoria 18 times and was captain-coach of the state in 1952.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Bulldogs No.1 ticket holder, tonight paid tribute to Charlie Sutton.

"Farewell Charlie Sutton. The Bulldogs' first - and only - premiership captain and coach," the PM said.

"A humble leader and a genuine gentleman of the game. One of the greatest names from the greatest era of our club."

"Charlie so often expressed the wish that a new Bulldog premiership captain and coach would take his place. Brendan McCartney and Matthew Boyd have that challenge before them now."

Picture gallery: Life and times of Charlie Sutton



CHARLIE SUTTON



Born: April 3, 1924

Died: June 5, 2012

Played: 173 games from 1946-56, kicking 65 goals

Coached: 162 games from 1951-57 and 1967-68

Captain-coach of the club's only VFL/AFL premiership team in 1954

Won the 1950 Bulldogs best-and-fairest award

Played 18 games for Victoria and captain-coached the state team in 1952

Club president from 1978-81

Originally published as Dogs' premiership captain dies