City are back in action this New Years Day as we make the journey to the capital to face Sutton United.
For our first ever visit to Gander Green Lane, here is a helpful guide for those travelling.
Stadium
- Name: VBS Community Stadium
- Capacity: 5,032
- Year Opened: 1912
- Record Attendance: 14,000 (vs Leeds United, FA Cup 1970)
- Address: Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2EY
Officially known as the Borough Sports Ground, the most commonly named Gander Green Lane has been home to Sutton United since the club’s formation. During the 19th century it was a field of allotments before its redevelopment into a football ground.
In the 1980s, two small wooden stands were replaced by a covered standing terrace, known as the "Rec Terrace". A small remnant of one of the original wooden stands remained for nearly 40 years, next to the Rec Terrace, and was known by Sutton supporters as the "Shoebox.”
After Sutton’s promotion to the EFL, ground requirements meant for the artificial pitch to be replaced and the Shoebox demolished for a new away end to be installed, limiting tickets for City fans this weekend.
At the start of the season, Sutton joined forces with Vulcan Building Services to gain naming rights to Gander Green Lane.
Tickets
Our full allocation of tickets for our New Years Day trip to Sutton United are now sold out, subject to returns.
Due to the VBS Community Stadium's redevelopments, we had been allocated a maximum of 470 tickets in the away stand (Gates 9 & 10)- all of which have now been sold.
There is a small potential there may be a final few tickets available in the coming days, through returns. If this is the case we will provide an update.
All tickets yet to be collected can be picked up at Turnstiles 9 & 10 on the day, but please note Sutton United operate a cashless stadium.
Getting to Gander Green Lane
By Car (3hr 22m)
Follow the A303 and M3 until the M25 and merge anti-clockwise toward M23 and Gatwick Airport, using the right lane to merge.
Take Junction 10 to merge onto A3. Take the A2043 toward Sutton. Turn left onto Churchill Hill Road and turn right onto Gander Green Lane.
Parking
On match days, the club car park in Gander Green Lane is for parking permit holders only. Away fans should park in Gibson Road, the local municipal car-park. It takes no more than fifteen minutes to walk from Gibson Road to the stadium and the route brings you in at the east end of the ground, The Collingwood Road End, which is the area reserved for away supporters.
By Rail: (4hr 16m)
The nearest station to the VBS Community Stadium is West Sutton which is served on the Thameslink line. Sutton station is only a 20-minute walk from the ground and is served on the same line.
Via Paddington:
07:58 Exeter St Davids GWR to London Paddington.
Circle or District line to Blackfriars
11:21 Blackfriars Thameslink toward Sutton (London). Arrive at West Sutton 12:10, Sutton 12:14
Via Woking
08:24 Exeter St Davids SWR to London Waterloo. Depart at Woking 11:24.
11:36 Woking SWR to London Waterloo. Depart at Wimbledon 12:07
12:25 Wimbledon Thameslink toward Sutton (London). Arrive at West Sutton 12:40, Sutton 12:44
Grecian Travel
Grecian Travel, completely run by the Supporters' Club, and not for profit, is available for City's trip to Sutton United.
The coach will depart from Unit 1 nightclub at 8:30am for a fare of £34 for adults or £29 for under-16s.
Other pick-up points include: Honiton Road park and ride (by Miller and Carter Steakhouse), junction 28 (Cullompton services). Junction 27 (Tiverton), junction 25 (Taunton.) All other pick-ups by prior arrangement.
PLEASE NOTE: Face coverings are required to travel on Grecian Travel. This does not apply if you are exempt.
How to buy
Currently Grecian Travel can only be booked directly.
For more information or to book please contact John Bishop on 07904 036334 or by email at: john.bishop760@btinternet.com (after 6pm).
Pubs and Matchday refreshments
Right outside Sutton station, the Old Bank offers a warm welcome to travelling fans and its advised away fans use Sutton town centre rather than pubs around the ground.
There are a cluster of bars and pubs in the high street, all within 20-minute walk or 5 minute train from Gander Green Lane.
Behind the Grandstand at the VBS Community Stadium there is a social club which also welcomes away fans and offers real ales.
COVID-19
The players and other football personnel are restricted to a Red Zone, this is essentially one end of the car-park; the pitch; the dressing rooms area and part of the east wing of the main grandstand where a temporary barrier has been created around a small number of seats to create an area socially distanced from spectators.
Spectators are asked not to mingle with Red Zone personnel at any time; before, during or after the game.
Although the wearing of face coverings is no longer mandatory, Sutton ask all spectators to observe good practice in relation to minimising the spread of Covid-19.