A new chapter in Sutton United's history begins on Saturday when the club's Football League debut comes at Forest Green Rovers.
Five years ago, Sutton's first away game following promotion to the National League was at The New Lawn, now the Fully Charged New Lawn, and ended in a 1-1 draw as Nicky Bailey's penalty cancelled out a first half goal from Matt Tubbs, who would play for Sutton later that season and score in the FA Cup against Cheltenham.
Now U's make their EFL debut at the same ground, with the home side having gone very close to promotion last season before losing in a thrilling play-off semi-final to Newport, Nicky Maynard's last minute extra time goal sending the Welsh club through to Wembley. This season, under new manager Rob Edwards, who joined in June after being in charge of the England Under 16 team, and previously had a successful spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, they are among the teams fancied to do well. Summer signings include defender Opi Edwards from Bristol City and midfielders Regan Hendry from Raith and Sadou Diallo, who links up again with Rob Edwards having been with Wolves. Striker Jack Aitchison has joined on loan from Barnsley and will link up with last season's leading scorer Jamille Matt, who scored 16 goals in 36 games but missed the run-in through injury, returning to score in that play-off semi final at The New Lawn. Players familiar to Sutton supporters may be Dan Sweeney, formerly with Barnet, and Ebou Adams who has played against U's for Ebbsfleet and is a Gambian international.
U's manager Matt Gray has kept the majority of the championship winning squad and will hope that U's can make a positive start. Looking forward to the game will be Omar Bugiel, part of the Forest Green squad that won promotion to the Football League, who has scored twice in U's pre-season campaign which saw three wins and two defeats.
Admission is available on the day for Sutton supporters, priced:
Covered seating: Adults £24, Over 65 £19, Under 21 £15, Under 16 £9.
Covered terracing: Adults £21, Over 65 £17, Under 21 £11, Under 16 £8
Open terracing: Adults £19, Over 65 £15, Under 21 £10, Under 16 £7
The postcode of the ground, which is Another Way, Nailsworth and is a little further up the hill from theForest Green's old ground, is GL6 0FG. By train you need to travel from Paddington to Stroud, an hourly service around the half hour mark, with some services needing a change at Swindon, then catch a 63 bus.
If you can't get to the game you can listen to SUFCtv's live audio commentary through the iFollow system. Unfortunately we can no longer provide free commentary through Mixlr, but the iFollow commentary is £2.50, with monthly and seasonal passes also available. Click here for further details. With broadcasting restrictions reintroduced this season, live streaming of games on most Saturday afternoons is not permitted.
Sutton will wear all amber for tomorrow's game.