This Monday, we kick off the New Year with a long trip just South of the English capital to take on Sutton United. With the games coming thick and fast over the festive period, keeping up to date and planning everything can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together this handy away day guide to help fans prepare for the trip to Gander Green Lane.
Where is The VBS Community Stadium?
The VBS Community Stadium is located at:
The VBS Community Stadium,
Gander Green Lane,
Sutton
SM1 2EY
Where will Newport fans be during the game?
Newport fans will be located in the Collingwood Road Stand, which is the stadium’s East stand.
How do I get to the VBS Community Stadium?
There are several ways that fans can make the trip to Sutton United on Monday afternoon.
Car
Sutton United’s stadium is 148 miles from Rodney Parade, which means fans who intend to drive will need to give themselves plenty of time to make it to the stadium. The drive typically takes around three hours, but fans should factor in traffic on the roads, especially in and around London.
Train
Getting to Sutton United on public transport will require fans to make several changes, which is not uncommon for trips that are London-centric. West Sutton Railway Station is the closest option to the ground, and getting there from London Paddington, which is the main London station served from Newport, is not too tricky.
Fans should jump on the Elizabeth Line towards Abbey Wood and travel three stops to Farringdon. Once there, you can jump on the Thameslink train towards Sutton, ride 16 stops, and get off at West Sutton Station.
The journey in London should take around an hour and a half, so you will need to factor this in when travelling from Newport. To avoid stress, we would recommend getting the train at either 10:04, 10:33, or 10:56 from Newport to London. This will give you ample time to make the necessary switches.
Coach
Of course, if you just want to relax and not have to think about driving, or making changes on public transport, you can take one of the coaches organised by the NCAFC Supporter’s Club.
Can I park near the stadium?
Sutton United’s official website provides the following information for parking:
“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.”
There is no parking available at Gander Green Lane for travelling fans.
How far is the train station to Sutton United?
This will depend on the station you are arriving at. If you arrive at West Sutton station, the stadium is around a four-minute walk from the station. If, however, you arrive in at Sutton Station by taking the train from Victoria or London Bridge, the walk will be around 20 minutes.
Where to eat and drink locally
The Collingwood Road Stand, where away fans are located, has its own fanzone, accommodating fans from 1:30pm onwards. This has a bar and catering facilities.
There are several pubs near the stadium, though opening hours may vary due to it being New Year’s Day. Sutton High Street is not a far walk from the ground and has a range of options, while fans who arrive early can soak in some London venues before making their way over.
The Gander Green Social Club has been known to accommodate away fans in the past, allowing fans a chance to mix with one another and share their thoughts on the game pre-match.
Last time out
Our last game against Sutton was in August at Rodney Parade, where we ran out 3-1 winners. After an Omari Patrick goal put the visitors ahead against the run of play, an own goal drew things level. With 13 minutes left on the clock, we took the lead through a Harry Charsley header before sealing the win with a late Will Evans goal.
How much are tickets for Sutton United vs Newport County?
Tickets for the clash are available to purchase on the day of the game at the VBS community stadium.