I've been there and it ain't no Withdean! It was built for the World Student Games back in 1991 (I think) and holds about 25000.
The trams runs very nearby so it won't be too hard to get to. But when I last went - ten years ago or so- there weren't many pubs - or much else. Especially none as good as near(ish) Milmoor where you had the full range of beers: bitter, heavy and mild.
that's odd,
rotheram was the hardest place to get a beer nearish the ground, from memory. had the alleyway from ID there though, that was a highlight.