Gander Green Lane facts for kids
|
Gander Green Lane
|
|
 |
|
| Full name | VBS Community Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Sutton, England |
| Public transit |  West Sutton (0.1mi) |
| Owner | Sutton United |
| Capacity | 5,013 (765 seated) |
| Record attendance | 14,000 |
| Surface | GrassMaster (Hybrid Surface) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1898 |
| Opened | 1912 |
| Tenants | |
| Sutton United (1912–1913; 1919–present) Sutton Common Rovers (2015–2021) Crystal Palace Women (2023–present) |
|
Gander Green Lane, also known as the VBS Community Stadium, is a football stadium in Sutton, London. It is the home ground for Sutton United Football Club and Crystal Palace Women. The stadium holds a record attendance of 14,000 fans. This happened when Sutton United played against Leeds United in the 1969–70 FA Cup and lost 6–0.
The stadium's pitch has hosted important matches. These include games for the England C team and the FA Sunday Cup. For a while, from 2015, the pitch was a special 3G artificial surface. It had FIFA's highest rating for artificial pitches. However, when Sutton United moved up to the English Football League in 2021, they had to change it. League rules meant they needed a grass pitch. So, a hybrid grass "PowerGrass" pitch was installed. In 2024, the pitch was replaced again with a new "GrassMaster" hybrid surface. This change happened because Crystal Palace Women signed a deal to play their home games there.
Contents
The Stadium's Story: Gander Green Lane History
The area where Gander Green Lane now stands was once used for gardens and open fields. The stadium was first built around the early 1900s. A map from 1913 shows it as a "Football Ground." It had a small building for players and a gate to enter. Trees surrounded the ground on three sides. A large house called Strawberry Lodge was nearby.
By 1937, Strawberry Lodge was gone, replaced by houses. A railway line was built where a brick field used to be. More buildings were added to the stadium. None of the very first buildings are still there today.
Sutton United's Early Days at the Lane
Sutton United played their first match at Gander Green Lane in 1912. It was an FA Cup game against Guards Depot F.C. The first league match was against Redhill, which Sutton won 1–0. Over 800 people watched that game. Sutton United left the ground for a short time in 1913. They came back to Gander Green Lane in August 1919.
Stadium Upgrades Over the Years
The main stand, also called the Grandstand, was built in 1951. It has been changed many times since then. The red and blue seats in the stand were given by Chelsea.
In the 1980s, two small wooden stands were replaced. A new covered standing area, called the "Rec Terrace," was built. It has a special box for filming TV. A small part of an old wooden stand, known as the "Shoebox," stayed for almost 40 years.
On January 7, 1989, the stadium hosted a famous FA Cup match. Sutton United, a smaller team, beat top-division Coventry City 2–1. This was a huge surprise in football history. About 8,000 fans filled the stadium that day.
In 1997, the Gander Green Lane end of the stadium was made flat. New steps for standing fans were put in.
On July 10, 2002, the ground hosted AFC Wimbledon's first match. This was after the original Wimbledon F.C. team moved. Sutton beat the new Dons team 4–0 in a friendly game. A large crowd of 4,657 people watched.
From Athletics to Modern Football
The stadium was once used for athletics, not just football. In 2014, the athletics track was removed. This allowed the stands to be closer to the pitch. New dugouts and player tunnels were built. Covered standing areas were added behind each goal. The curved shape of some standing areas still shows its past use for athletics.
In 2015, Sutton Common Rovers started sharing the stadium. A new artificial pitch was installed that summer. Alan Pardew, a former manager of Crystal Palace, officially opened it.
Stadium Name Changes
In 2017, Gander Green Lane was renamed the Knights Community Stadium. This was part of a sponsorship deal. The name changed back to the Borough Sports Ground in 2020. Then, on August 7, 2021, it became the VBS Community Stadium. This name comes from a sponsorship deal that lasts until July 31, 2025.
When Sutton United moved up to the English Football League in 2021, many big changes were made. The artificial pitch was replaced with grass. The old "Shoebox" stand was taken down. A new stand was built for away fans. New floodlights and entry gates were also installed.
The main hall at the stadium is called the MBA Lounge. It is also home to a music venue called the Boom Boom Club.
International Football Matches
Gander Green Lane has hosted international football games. For example, in 2016, it was part of the World Unity Cup. Teams like Barawa, Tamil Eelam, and 
Chagos Islands played matches there.
In 2018, the stadium was one of 10 places used for the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup. It hosted six games, including group stage and quarter-final matches. Teams from different regions, like 
Ellan Vannin and 
Padania, played exciting games at the stadium.
Recent Stadium Improvements
For the 2024–25 season, several improvements were made to the stadium:
- A brand new pitch was installed.
- A fun Fanzone was created behind the Collingwood Road Stand. It offers activities, food, drinks, and music.
- Special areas were set up for home and away fans. The fan zone and bars were also improved.
- The number of seats for match days increased from 500 to over 4,000.
- Yellow seats in the Ideal Medical Solutions Stand were set aside as a Family Enclosure.
- Standing is now allowed in certain areas, with staff to help guide fans.
