Club Background

None of the frequent ‘mists of time inventions’ some clubs come up with concerning the formation of Sutton United, very precise: 5th March 1898 when a meeting of two local clubs, Sutton Association and Sutton Guild Rovers, decided that they should amalgamate.

Initially operating in the Herald and Surrey Junior Leagues, in 1910 the club adopted Senior status through joining the Southern Suburban League. Within a few years of that The U’s settled at what remains their home to this day, Gander Green Lane.

Sutton was elected into the Athenian League in 1921 where it remained until 1963, winning the title on three occasions. At the end of the 1962-63 season, after losing in its first ever F.A. Amateur Cup Final appearance at Wembley, The U’s switched to the Isthmian League. Champions of the Isthmian five times, success at Wembley continued to elude the club with another Amateur Cup Final loss in 1969 and F.A. Trophy runners-up in 1981.

In 1985-86 Sutton and Yeovil, relegated into the Isthmian at the end of the previous season, met in league competition for the first time. Having refused promotion the previous season as they couldn’t or wouldn’t afford the necessary ground improvements, Sutton’s presence in a league they could/should have already left proved particularly annoying for the Glovers when they won the Isthmian Premier League title yet again, four points ahead of runners-up Yeovil Town in what had been a two horse race throughout the campaign. This time Sutton did bite the financial bullet and accepted the move up to the GM Vauxhall Conference.

Thus had begun a period that lasted until 1999-2000 of quite frequent but intermittent meetings as both teams bobbed up and down between the Conference and the Isthmian. Sutton were relegated in 1991, promoted in 1999 and relegated again in 2000… and that was to be the last we saw of them until this season.

In the meantime the 2003-04 campaign saw Sutton finish runners-up and so reach the newly formed Conference South. They were relegated in 2007-08, promoted back again in 2010-11 and in 2014-15 took the title to reach the National League. Sutton has been a fairly steady presence in the NL since, generally finishing around mid-table so far, with one play-off semi-final appearance to its name.

It was the resignation of long-serving manager Paul Doswell, who had been in charge at Gander Green Lane for 11 years at the end of the 2018-19 season which heralded a major change for the club. His replacement was Matt Gray, a member of Doswell’s coaching team, and Sutton finished 15th in his first season, the campaign ended early due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

But in his second campaign, Gray masterminded the club’s promotion to the Football League for the first time in its 123-year history with a game to spare ahead of Gary Johnson’s Torquay United, Stockport County and Hartlepool United, who would go up through the play-offs that same season. Due to restrictions on attendances due to the pandemic, the game which clinched promotion was only watched by a crowd of just over 1,000 – but the sense of history in the making was undeniable for those present.

On 7th August 2021, Sutton played their first ever EFL fixture which ended in a 2-1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers, but that debut season would go on to be another highly successful one. They not monthly finished eighth, missing out on the play-offs by just a single point, they also reached the EFL Trophy (Papa John’s Trophy, as you might know it) final at Wembley, taking League One Rotherham United to extra time before losing 4-2 in front of more than 30,000 fans.

The Ambers finished a very respectable 14th  in the 2022-23 season having lost striker David Ajiboye and goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis in the summer, albeit Ajiboye returned on loan in January to hit four goals in 21 appearances that season. They also lost impressive Millwall loanee Issac Olaofe, who joined Stockport in the summer of 2023, having starred for two seasons with Sutton.

Last season would prove to be Sutton’s last at EFL level with Matt Gray sacked in December 2023 following an 8-0 thrashing at Stockport County, where former favourite Olaofe was among the scorers. His replacement was current boss Steve Morison who did manage to revive their fortunes with a run of four successive victories during March and April, however, three draws from their final four matches condemned them to the drop.

 


We’ve Met Before

Previous Results for Yeovil Town First Team vs Sutton United

1/15/1983 Home FAT1 L 2-4 1198   Bell(2)
3/8/1986 Away VOL L 1-3 1440   McGinlay
4/22/1986 Home VOL W 2-0 5348   Spencer, McGinlay
8/25/1986 Away ICS W 5-1 561   Coates, Pardew, Zachhau(3)
8/27/1988 Home GMVC D 0-0 2309    
12/17/1988 Away GMVC L 2-5 1004   Pearson, Whittingham
8/28/1989 Home GMVC W 3-1 2829   Carroll(2), Own Goal
12/2/1989 Away GMVC L 1-3 860   Shail
9/25/1990 Away GMVC L 0-1 1015    
4/1/1991 Home GMVC W 2-1 2352   Carroll 79, 82
2/27/1996 Away ICIS D 1-1 537   Whale
4/20/1996 Home ICIS D 0-0 2818    
11/16/1996 Home ICIS W 3-2 2803   Birkby(2), Patmore
4/12/1997 Away ICIS W 3-0 1281   Forinton(2), Patmore
9/18/1999 Home Conf L 1-2 2839   Hayfield 45
20/11/1999 Away Conf W 1-0 1010   Smith 38
3/09/2019 Home Conf W 1-0 2279   Bradbury 68
28/12/2019 Away Conf L 3-2 3,279   Murphy 26, Skendi 38
27/10/2020 Home Conf L 1-2 COVID   Quigley 45
19/03/2021 Away Conf L 1-2 COVID   Reid 55
               

Results Summary For Yeovil Town First Team vs Sutton United

Home Away Overall
W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A
5 2 3 13 10 3 1 6 14 14 8 3 9 27 24

 


Club Statistics

RECENT RESULTS

10/08/2024 Tamworth Away NLP D 1-1     Coley 90+1
17/08/2024 Altrincham Home NLP 0-5     Coley 27, Harris 31, Davies 38, Odelusi pen 44, Nadesan 84
20/08/2024 Wealdstone Away NLP W 1-0     Waller 11
24/08/2024 York City Home NLP D 2-2     Davies 50, Coley 73
26/08/2024 Eastleigh Away NLP D 1-1     Vaz 13
31/08/2024 Forest Green Rovers Home NLP L 1-2     Sivi 86
07/09/2024 Boston United Home NLP L 0-3      
10/09/2024 Dagenham & Redbridge Away NLP L 0-3      
14/09/2024 Southend United Away NLP W 3-1     Coley 45’+5, Gubbins o.g. 50, Nadesan 75
21/09/2024 Ebbsfleet United Home NLP W 3-2     Davies 7, Harris 51, Nadesan 77
                 
                 
                 

LEAGUE ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance:  3,131 – vs Ebbsfleet United, 21st September 2024
Lowest League Attendance:  2,456 – vs Altrincham, 17th August 2024
Average League Attendance: 2,611

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win: 0   Games Without A Home Win: 0
Games Without An Away Win: 0   Games Without Defeat: 2
Games Without A Home Defeat: 0   Games Without An Away Defeat: 1
Games Without A Draw: 5   Games Without A Score Draw: 5
Games Without A No-Score Draw: 10   Games Without Scoring: 0
Games Without Conceding: 0   Home Results Sequence: WLLDW
Away Results Sequence: WLDWD   Overall Results Sequence: WWLLLD

 


Club Information

Address:Sutton United Football Club, VBS Community Stadium, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, London, SM1 2EY. Click here for map.

Telephone Number: 020 8644 4440
Email: info@suttonunited.net

Chairman and President: Bruce Elliot (likes to be referred to as ‘Mr President’, if you meet him)
Club Secretary: Rob Oakes
Media Manager: Jack Daly
Manager: Steve Morison

Capacity: 5,013
Seated: 765
Covered Terrace: Not for away fans, the Curva Terrace is uncovered
Surface: Hybrid turf
Record Attendance: 14,000 vs Leeds United, FA Cup 4th Round, 24th January 1970

Colours: Amber and Chocolate (fancy)
Nickname: The Us
Programme: £3

Ticketing

Gander Green Lane (the VBS Community Stadium, if you must) has a 5,013 capacity with 765 seats; the remainder is a mix of covered and uncovered terracing. When we last visited, Sutton were playing on an artificial surface which had to come up to be replaced by ‘hybrid grass’ when they won promotion to the EFL in 2021 – at the cost of almost £500,000. Ouch. But, unlike the last time we visited, there is no seated options for away fans with standing in the Curva Terrace the only option. The advice given by the club is: “If you need to be accommodated for seating, you can purchase a seat in the home section. If you do this, we ask that you please not wear any of your club colours and please behave appropriately. We reserve the right to eject any spectator that causes any security issues.” So behave yourselves, okay?

The away end is uncovered – well, we do it to travelling fans, don’t can’t grumble too much – and access through turnstiles 5 and 6 which is by Gate B, you enter through the park off Collingwood Road. There are both seated and standing options for away supporters. Segregation means Yeovil Town’s standing supporters will likely be in the Collingwood Road End of the ground and should approach via the path linking Gander Green Lane and Collingwood Road that runs along the northern edge of the site between the stadium and Collingwood Road Recreation Ground. The away turnstiles will be found at the north-east corner of the stadium.

Tickets are on sale – CLICK HERE TO BUY – and, as with many clubs, buying online does come with the need to register for an account and tickets will in the form of e-tickets, which must either be shown on a device at the ground or printed at home. 

There is a £2 price increase for buying on the day, but pre-sale prices are as follows: 

Adults: £21
Concession (61+):  £15
Junior (14-18): £7
Child (U14):  Free – but a ticket much still be acquired.
Carers:  Free with a full paying adult.

Disabled access: Sutton has three wheelchair bays pitchside available to away supporters, anyone who requires one is advised to contact dave.farebrother@suttonunited.net. He will make sure you have access to accessible facilities. Other than that, tickets can be purchased as normal. You can also contact the Main Office on 020 8644 4440.

 


Official Away Travel

The Green & White Supporters’ Club is running away travel to Sutton United on Tuesday 24th September, 7,45p.m. kick-off.

Details are as follows:

Members: Adult £26; Concession £24
Non-Members: Adult £29; Concession £27
Note: The above prices are maximum prices. The more bookings we take the lower the prices will be.
Coach departs Huish Park: 2pm

To book, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 (after 6.00 p.m. please).

If you are getting in touch by email, please make it clear which match you are booking for and that you give your full name, the names of people that are travelling and a contact telephone number.

You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat.


Directions To The Ground

General

Sutton is the principal town of the London Borough of Sutton, which also contains Beddington, Carshalton and Cheam, on the southern edge of the city. It’s bounded by the boroughs of Croydon to the East, Merton to the North and Kingston-upon-Thames to the West.

By Road

For Yeovil fans resident in the West Country this is an A303/M3/M25 trip, with various options in off the M25, the A3 route off Junction 10 probably being the simplest.

Follow the A3 all the way to New Malden, there taking the A2043 (Malden Road, third exit off the roundabout) down to North Cheam. There turn left into Church Hill Road. Stay on Church Hill Road for half a mile until the double-roundabout where first exit followed by first exit brings you on to Abbotts Road. At the end of Abbotts Road go left onto the A217 (St Dunstan’s Hill). Almost immediately (100 yards) at the first crossroads go right. You are now in Gander Green Lane. The ground is 0.4 of a mile further along Gander Green Lane on your left.

Parking

There is a fairly small car park at the ground but for permit holders only. As a traditional urban located stadium much of the surrounding area comes under Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) rules with parking restricted to those with resident permits and/or metered parking spaces for others, though diligent hunting may find some unclaimed parking (some streets are unrestricted and free after 6.30 p.m. and at weekends). Sutton uses the RingGo phone parking system though cash meters still do exist and sometimes might even be working. The club advises the multi-storey car park is Gibson Road which is about a 20-minute walk to the ground as your best option, it is £2 after 6.30pm. Be aware it closes at 11.30pm, so if you’re hanging around make sure you’re out by then. There are three multi-storey car parks in town, all towards central Sutton and thus around a mile from the stadium.

By Rail

The nearest train station is West Sutton, five minutes walk from the away end, served by Southern and Thameslink. Both Sutton (Southern and Thameslink) and Sutton Common (Southern and Thameslink) Railway Stations are also within walking distance of the stadium at about a mile away. All three are within TfL (Zone 5) and thus Travelcard, Oyster card, Contactless bank cards and some but not all mobile pay apps can be used. If you are travelling from Yeovil by train, Sutton is your best bet. From Yeovil Junction you will need to change at Clapham Junction on to a Southern service to Sutton.  It is about a 20 to 30-minute walk from there to the stadium. There is parking at the station (205 spaces, 5 accessible spaces) – see more details on the National Rail website.

By Bus

The 413 Hopper service departing Sutton town centre from outside the main Post Office runs along Gander Green Lane. This is a stop on request service so you can alight or pick upright outside the stadium site.

Collingwood Road is served by the No. 80 route between Belmont and Hackbridge.

All London buses are a flat rate £1.75 fare (including multiple touch-ins and outs for one hour) and cashless, so travellers need an Oyster card, Contactless bank card or Travelcard.

By Taxi

London is well served by taxis. Sutton is far enough out that you won’t be seeing that many Black Cabs on the streets plying for hire but Sutton’s taxi rank can be contacted on 0800 118 2192. There’s a multitude of mini-cab companies and of course, despite continuing legal wrangling over its fitness for a licence, Uber is still operating across the city.


Web Resources

Web Sites
SuttonUnited.net – official site
Ganderonium.com – a website penned by an Ambers’ fan, we like the cut of his jib

Social Media
@SuttonUnited – official X/Twitter
Sutton United FC – official Facebook
SuttonUnitedFCtv – official YouTube
Amber Planet – an online message board – yes, they still exist.

Local Press
Sutton and Croydon Guardian – local paper, such as they are these days


Food & Drink

General

The sudden unannounced closure of The Plough, in Gander Green Lane between West Sutton Station and the stadium, in June 2018 means there is no longer any pub particularly close to the ground. Planning permission has been submitted to develop the site and it seems unlikely it will ever reopen as a pub. The nearest are now Gander Inn (by the junction of Gander Green Lane and the A217); Crown Sutton and The Winning Post in Sutton High Street; and Robin Hood (below). All are around a half mile walk from the ground.

There are rather more options around Sutton Railway Station (varying from 1.0 to 1.4 miles walk away or one stop on the train to West Sutton): Cock & Bull (Fullers); Moon on the Hill (below); Old Bank (Stonegate); Nightingale (Star Heineken UK); Shinner & Sudtone (below); Sutton Arms (Greene King).

Despite London now having over one hundred small independent breweries and a plethora of Brewery Taps, Craft pubs and bars and Micropubs, the Sutton area is one that’s hardly attracted their attention at all so far. Those interested in more exciting beers may well consider drinking elsewhere and taking a train to West Sutton close to kick-off.

As with drink, so with food. There’s next to nothing around in the area of the stadium and West Sutton Station but a multitude of national chain and independent restaurants, fast food joints and cafes around Sutton Railway Station and stretching up the High Street.

Club Bar

Sutton United’s social club (detailed below), refurbished in 2018, is situated in the Main Stand with access via the main entrance to the club and the players’ tunnel. Given this will be a segregated match it’s been added to the list of questions to ask (should Sutton ever answer the phone) as to whether it will be available to visiting Yeovil Town supporters.

Food on offer inside the stadium includes Bacon Baguettes, Bacon & Egg Baguettes, Sausage in Baguette, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Bacon Rolls, Bacon & Egg Rolls and Chips. Given we still fondly recall from twenty years ago the Giant Sausage Baguettes at Park View Road (Welling United) perhaps baguettes are a Sarf London thing?

Local Pubs

Ebb & Flow – Located on Sutton High Street and just a short walk from Sutton train station, this is a modern kinda place with a wide-ranging selection of ales (provided by Marston’s – so our much missed Hugh Huish would give it a miss) and serves the usual range of burgers and similar pub offerings. Opens at 11am-11pm in the midweek.
Address: Ebb & Flow, 59-61 High Street, Sutton, SM1 1DT – website.

Moon on the Hill: Wetherspoon conversion of a former department store close by Sutton’s main shopping area. Step free access, family friendly and an outside area. Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best Bitter and Sharp’s Doom Bar the three cask beers from the Spoons regulars list; plus seven changing ‘guests’, with this manager making more effort to select locally sourced offerings than occurs in some branches. Opens 8.00 a.m. everyday, closing at midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Exactly one mile from the football ground.
Address: Moon on the Hill, 5–9 Hill Road, Sutton, London, SM1 1DZ – website.

Robin Hood: A Ram Pub Company outlet, one of a number of pub chain formats for Young’s now they are only in the hospitality business and no longer brew beer themselves. Still branded as Young’s, though these days produced by Eagle Brewery with is actually an adjunct of Marston’s but does all it can to pretend it isn’t, Bitter and Special are the regular house beers. At this time of year Young’s Winter Warmer is generally also on. Keg offerings include Camden’s Pale Ale and Hells Lager, Caledonian Brewing Company’s Coast to Coast, Kronenbourg 1664, Birra Moretti, Estrella, Fosters, Thatcher’s Gold and Strongbow Cloudy. Food is a pretty typical mid-range ‘pub grub’ style menu served noon – 2.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and noon – 4.00 p.m. Sunday. Disabled access, family friendly, Sports TV, dartboard, outside area. Opening hours are noon – 11.00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and noon – midnight Friday and Saturday. Just over the half mile along Collingwood Road route to the away end turnstiles.
Address: Robin Hood, 52 West Street, Sutton, London, SM1 1SH. Tel: 020 8642 1347 – website.

Shinner & Sudtone: A site that is on its seventh pub/bar incarnation in the last couple of decades, which is not generally a good sign, it was acquired by Antic Pubco, which runs around forty pubs across South London, in 2016. The Antic pub style is ‘shabby chic’ and the menu, served 5.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, noon – 10.00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon – 6.00 p.m. Sunday, is designed to match – a bit trendy but not so much that prices soar. Children welcome until 8.00 p.m. The house Real Ale is by Volden Brewing of Croydon and there are two changing guests on cask. Keg tends to be from smaller independent breweries as does the can selection. Ciders are from Lilley’s and Celtic Marches. Opening hours: 4.00 p.m. -11.00 p.m. Monday; 4.00 p.m. – midnight Tuesday to Thursday; noon – 2.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday; noon – 11.00 p.m. Sunday. Exactly one mile’s walk to the stadium.
Address: Shinner & Sudtone, 67 High Street, Sutton, London, SM1 1DT. Tel: 020 8643 8395 – website.

Sutton United Football Club Bar: Although the ‘club house’ on matchdays this acts as a more general revenue raising enterprise for The U’s as is open to the general public through the week. Stocks up to four mainstream beers on cask – the likes of Doom Bar, London Pride, Tribute – and multinational keg options. Food, of fast type rather than full meals, available on matchdays only. There’s BT Sports and a pool table. Opening hours: Monday 7.30 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.; Tuesday closed unless Sutton are at home; Wednesday to Friday 7.30 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.; Saturday 12.00 noon when Sutton at home (otherwise 2.00 p.m.) – 11.00 p.m.; Sunday closed unless Sutton United Women at home when 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Address: Sutton United Football Club, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, London, SM1 2EY. Tel:  020 8644 4440.

A bit of a curveball option courtesy of our pub guide enthusiast, Steve ‘Spud’ Whale, if you have a bit of time….

The Hope, Carshalton: If you are travelling to Sutton on the Thameslink service in to West Sutton (the closest station to the ground), The Hope is located very close to Carshalton station – two stops from West Sutton, about a nine-minute trip. A community-owned pub with a simple food menu and a decked garden, it is a regular Pub of the Year winner for the region and, for Steve’s money, “by far the best ale you will get“. Opening times are midday-11pm during the week.
Address: The Hope, 48 West Street, Carshalton, SM5 2PR – website.


Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You: Balham born John Sullivan has a lot to answer for – most of Sarf London is still talking like Del Boy. So, if you’ve watched plenty (who hasn’t!) of Only Fools, it’s all cushty, init.

Top-Tip: The Winning Post pub on Sutton High Street is described (by some) as London’s equivalent to  the Cavern Club. It is where in 1963 the young Rolling Stones were discovered by impresario Giorgio Gomelsky and taken to a club in Richmond to be his house band. They did alright for themselves. Reviews of the pub itself are mixed with one local ale drinker describes it as a bit drab, serving only Greene King IPA. You can’t always get what you want.

Local Amenities: There’s a park, a museum……you can get in to London easily enough from there. Maybe just go to the match and leave it at that.

Other Points Of Interest: “Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford,” said Dr Johnson. To be fair, he probably wasn’t thinking of Sutton.

[No responsibility is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice. ]