Sutton United to Install a Grass Pitch

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

After winning promotion to EFL division two, Sutton United will have to install a
grass pitch, to meet the requirements of the English Football League, next season.
They are tearing up the artificial 3G surface, at their ground Gander Green Lane,
after winning the National League Title.
EFL rules state all matches must be played on grass surfaces, the cost of laying
the pitch, will be in the excess of £500,000.
Sutton become the second club to swap artificial pitch for grass, after Harrogate
Town last summer, after they won promotion to EFL league two, via the play-offs.
Sutton also intend to build a new grandstand for away supporters, & install
upgraded floodlights, & automated turnstiles.
The loss of the artificial pitch will be felt, by a number of other sides, with
Suttons academy, three women's teams, nine girls teams, & three disability
sides, who all made use of this surface, which brought valuable income to the club.
the club is hoping that commercial opportunities, will off set some of the cost.

[CTMilller]

Looks like they're now the closest club to my home base in UK (about a 35 minute drive) so, when I can't get to a Miller's match on a visit, I may go and watch them.

[CASPER-64-FRANK]

The extra income they receive and any available grants should offset the initial costs.
Wouldn't mind drawing them away in a Cup competition, Gander Lane another ground to mark off.

Ps... Must be a posh part of Surrey if CT uses that area as his UK base.. 🙄

[millertop]

The extra income they receive and any available grants should offset the initial costs.
Wouldn't mind drawing them away in a Cup competition, Gander Lane another ground to mark off.

Ps... Must be a posh part of Surrey if CT uses that area as his UK base.. 🙄

Yes let’s hope so

That’s the posh part I’m talking about 😏😂

[millertop]

They know the rules so can’t complain, good luck to them

[Ericsladkilnhurst]

Sutton United like all National League Teams, were awarded a grant of £1,500 as a
pitch preparation fund, from the Premier League, the FA & the Government Football
Foundation, to keep their pitch fit, ready for playing on, during the covid situation.

Artificial pitches in the EFL have been banned since 1995.

Sutton United may do a groundshare, while their new pitch beds in, which Harrogate
Town did last season, playing at Doncaster Rovers, after promotion to division 2

Grounds near Sutton include -

AFC Wimbledon 5 miles / Brentford 9 miles / Q.P.R. 10 miles
Millwall 11 miles / Charlton Athletic 13 miles / Leyton Orient 16 miles

[CTMilller]

The extra income they receive and any available grants should offset the initial costs.
Wouldn't mind drawing them away in a Cup competition, Gander Lane another ground to mark off.

Ps... Must be a posh part of Surrey if CT uses that area as his UK base.. ��

are there any parts of Surrey that aren't posh, C64F?!

Anyway, it's Guildford - I've mentioned it on here before so no secret. Mrs CT's territory more than mine! Surrounded by posh villages but parts of the town are pretty down to earth.

[CAMiller]

are there any parts of Surrey that aren't posh, C64F?!

Anyway, it's Guildford - I've mentioned it on here before so no secret. Mrs CT's territory more than mine! Surrounded by posh villages but parts of the town are pretty down to earth.

I decided not to go to the University of Surrey because I thought Guildford was too posh for me (and they didn't have a professional football club)

[CTMilller]

I decided not to go to the University of Surrey because I thought Guildford was too posh for me (and they didn't have a professional football club)

Probably as well. Very posh place University of Surrey. Students drinking sherry out of pint mugs with handles and with their little fingers cocked.

[CAMiller]

Probably as well. Very posh place University of Surrey. Students drinking sherry out of pint mugs with handles and with their little fingers cocked.

I did visit there but must admit I have no specific memories. Where I eventually ended up, Northampton, still had pint mugs with dimples and handles and a strange sport of throwing cheeses at skittles. One bonus though was that the captain and top scorer of the Cobblers at the time had the same name as me so it gave my Dad a good few laughs in the pubs around Rawmarsh when people asked how I was getting on.