The Iron, New Beginnings

Photo: Scunthorpe United FC

Scunthorpe have just this week released their new home kit in a launch video which has gone down a storm on the socials.  It is their 125th anniversary and with many troubles in recent years it is hoped this is a new beginning for the club. They missed out on promotion last year in the play offs to Boston United who were ultimately promoted. The club are nicknamed “The Iron” due to the large presence of the steel industry in the town.

Scunthorpe moved to Glanford Park in 1988, the first club in England to move to a purpose built stadium.  The capacity is 9088 – the highest capacity in National League North.  In May 2021 the then owner Peter Swann transferred the stadium, training ground and car park plus surrounding land to his other business in exchange for £11 million worth of loans. Improvements were expected plus a 99-year lease.  In September 2022 the club was reported to be in danger of administration. In January 2023 David Hilton “completed” a takeover including the stadium and surrounding land. Hilton settled the club’s HMRC tax bill ending a transfer embargo which had been put into place. However, Hilton’s legal team raised concerns about valuations, planning permissions and assets. Legal loopholes were used and Swann considered this to be trespass and squatting.  The club were relegated to the National League North in 2022-2023 season. In late May 2023, the gates were bolted shut.  Legal proceedings followed to sue Hilton and the club. 

Further issues arose in September 2023 that the club would move its fixtures to Gainsborough Trinity due to this dispute.  However, the club remained at Glanford Park and in October 2023 the club was sold to Michelle Harkness and a new board of Directors formed. 

Scunthorpe had risen to the Championship back in 2007 with a record 16 match unbeaten run and 91 points, under Nigel Atkins as manager. They were unfortunately relegated the following year. They were promoted again with a win against Millwall at Wembley in 2008-09.  They also went to Wembley that season in the F A Trophy final only to lose to Luton Town.  2009-2010 the Iron retained their status in the second tier, something no other Scunthorpe team had down since 1963.  However, this was not to last. The Iron then moved from League one to two and back again until 2022 when they were relegated from League two ending a 72-year spell in the Football League.

The Iron have had memorable memories, third and fourth round ties F A Cup ties against Spurs and Portsmouth back in the early years. A young Kevin Keegan was discovered  back in the late 60’s early 70s before being sold to Liverpool in 1971 for £35,000.  He played 124 times and scored 18 goals for the Iron. In 1980 Ian Botham was even signed and played 14 games.

Scunthorpe fans are hoping for a return to the National League and ultimately the Football League in the coming years.