It's a big day at the VBS Community Stadium on Saturday, with Sutton United celebrating the 125th anniversary of being formed, and U's will hope to add to the celebrations by continuing a recent fine run as Crewe Alexandra provide the opposition in Sky Bet League Two.
With Sutton unbeaten in six games and with just one defeat in the last eleven, Crewe are on their own unbeaten run of five games, although four of those were drawn and indeed in their last ten games they have drawn seven and won just one, at home to Hartlepool two and a half weeks ago. They lie in 17th place in the table, twelve points clear of the bottom two.
It will be the first league meeting between the sides at Sutton, Crewe having been relegated from League One at the end of last season, but they did meet at the Mornflake Stadium in August when Courtney Baker-Richardson's early goal was enough to give Alex the points despite a strong second half performance from Sutton that many people felt deserved some reward. Baker-Richardson may be fit to return to the squad on Saturday after injury along with midfielder Charlie Colkett, but defender Connor O'Riordan is suspended after being sent off in last week's home draw with bottom of the table Rochdale.
Sutton manager Matt Gray has Omar Bugiel available again after suspension and Rob Milsom is fit to return to the squad, while a late decision will be made on Donovan Wilson, who came off at half time at Newport. Matt has also confirmed that the loans of Tope Fadahunsi and Tobi Ogundega to Torquay and Salisbury respectively have been extended to the end of the season, albeit with recall clauses should either be needed.
Referee Daniel Middleton is in his first season refereeing EFL games, but he has taken charge of a number of Sutton games at National League level, most recently the 1-0 win against Barnet in April 2021 as U's closed in on the championship.
Tickets for the game can be bought here. Prices are £20 for adults, £14 for concessions and £6 for juniors, with tickets for under 12s free if bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. Stand seats are £5 extra. Admission will be available on the day, but prices for adult and concession tickets bought at the ground on the day rise by £2, an increase not applicable to tickets bought on line, even on Saturday.
As usual for Sutton supporters unable to get to the game there will be an audio commentary on our iFollow service, with a match pass costing £2.50 or a monthly pass costing £4.49. Overseas supporters can watch a live stream for £10. Click here to buy the relevant pass.
A copy of the special souvenir 125 anniversary programme can be ordered on line for delivery after the game. Price £4 plus postage, you can order a copy here.
It's a big afternoon off the pitch as the club celebrates 125 years in existence, and there is lots planned to make it a special afternoon.
From 12 noon the fanzone will be open as usual, with a Scandi food truck bringing a taste of Sweden to Sutton United, and between 12 and 1 our friends from Signal Brewery have some special offers at the fan zone bar to help us celebrate. Also in the fanzone will be professional freestyle footballer Jay Rosa showing off his wide range of skills.
The 'Pie Pod' usually found in the fanzone will on Saturday be inside the ground and open from pre-match through to half time.
Then, from about 2.20pm, we will have a brass band ''Amber Brass'' performing in the stadium, and before the game, at around 2.45pm, the latest three inductees in to the Sutton United Hall of Fame will be introduced. Flag wavers will then welcome the players on to the pitch, with the players accompanied by an array of mascots to mark this special occasion. Expect one or two surprises as well! At half time ''Amber Brass'' will again perform and Jay Rosa will be in the stadium.
After the game attention will switch to the MBA Lounge for our anniversary party. The party itself is free admission and kicks-off at 7:00pm, and while booking for the hot buffet is now closed, it will be possible to buy the usual fare from our kitchen through the hatch in the Players’ Bar.
At 8:00 pm SUFCtv will be showing a club history video in the MBA Lounge and this will be followed by inviting all surviving Hall of Fame members onto the stage, maybe you’d like your photo taken with one of your favourite players? The final, formal part of the evening will have speeches from Dave Farebrother, Bruce Elliott and Matt Gray, but everyone will then have plenty of time to mix and swap their best Sutton United stories.