Scunthorpe United F.C.
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| Full name | Scunthorpe United Football Club | |
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| Nickname(s) | The Iron | |
| Founded | 1899[1] | |
| Ground | Glanford Park Scunthorpe (Capacity: 9,088) |
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| Chairman | J. Steven Wharton | |
| Manager | Nigel Adkins | |
| League | The Championship | |
| 2009–10 | The Championship, 20th | |
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Scunthorpe United Football Club are an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.
Nicknamed "The Iron", they play in the Football League Championship. They are presently the highest-placed league club in Lincolnshire. The Club have gone through a transition over the last 5 years. After nearly being relegated in 2003/04 the club have since had three promotions, one relegation, a Johnstones Paint Trophy final apperence in 2009 along with numberous records being broken like the highest transfer fees paid and received, highest capacity in their current ground, longest period without defeat (19 games).
Scunthorpe are building a repuation with having an eye for a good Striker. Over the past five years numberous players have been bought for under £100,000 and sold for millions. Andy Keogh, Billy Sharp, Martin Paterson, Jermaine Beckford (loan) and Gary Hooper. This year they have bought Chris Dagnall and Bobby Grant from Rochdale F.C. and Accrington Stanley respectively and many Iron fans are waiting to see who their future star will be along side Jonathan Forte who signed as part of the deal that took Billy Sharp to Sheffield United in 2007.
Scunthorpe had what the fans would describe as their greatest ever season in 2009-2010. They survived in the 2nd tier of English football for the first time since the early 1960's. In todays modern game which is ruled by finances, a team like Scunthorpe have a buget that would be smaller than many League 1 clubs. With little over 5/6,000 attending home games Scunthorpe too have a gate that would look small in League One and more suited to League 2.
They were the bookies odds on favourite to be relegated in 2009-10 along with Blackpool F.C. (who achieved promotion that year). Yet again after the departures of some of the clubs better players (more noticably the strike partnership of Paul Hayes and Gary Hooper) the club are again red hot favourites for the drop. They made a positive start to the 2010-11 season with a 2-1 victory away at promotion favourites Reading FC.
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History
Early years
Scunthorpe United were formed in 1899.[1] In 1910 they merged with local rivals Lindsey United to become Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, and joined the Midland Football League in 1912.[1] After an unsuccessful application to join the Football League in 1921,[1] Scunthorpe & Lindsey won the Midland League in 1926–27 and in 1938–39.[2] When the 1939–40 season came to an abrupt end, due to the outbreak of the Second World War, Scunthorpe & Lindsey finished as runners-up in the second emergency competition, losing 3–2 to Peterborough United in an unofficial play-off game.[2]
After the end of the war, in 1945, Scunthorpe & Lindsey would re-apply to join the Football League at every opportunity.[1] The club finished as runners-up in the Midland League in 1947–48,[2] and in 1950 were accepted into the Football League, ahead of Workington and Wigan Athletic when the league structure was expanded.[1] Their first game in Football League Division Three North was against fellow new entrants Shrewsbury Town.
Scunthorpe were the first club in England to build a cantilever stand, four years before Sheffield Wednesday's at Hillsborough.
Moving home
In 1988 Scunthorpe United became the first English football club in the modern era to move to a new, purpose built stadium, Glanford Park.
When it became apparent that the Old Showground needed significant investment to maintain its fabric and to make it comply with new regulations introduced in the wake of the Bradford Fire Disaster (which the club were unable to make due to financial difficulties) the decision was made to relocate. The ground was sold to the former supermarket chain Safeway (now Sainsbury's) and the search was started for a new location.
Land was secured at an out of town site in what was then the administrative area of Glanford meaning that the new ground was outside the boundaries of Scunthorpe (although this changed with the re-organisation of local government in 1994 as both Scunthorpe Borough Council and Glanford Borough Council became North Lincolnshire Council).
At this time there were no grants available and the development had to funded with the cash from the sale of the Old Showground, sponsorship, directors' loans and bank loans. This lack of outsider cash means that Glanford Park was built in a rather simplistic, box-like style, with a significantly smaller capacity than the Old Showground.
The ground was so named because it was sponsored by the Glanford Borough Council. The site of the former ground is now home to a Sainsbury's store and can be found at the junction of Doncaster Road and Henderson Avenue. When the store was opened a plaque was laid where the centre-spot was, just in front of the delicatessen counter; the plaque has since been removed.
The ground, though small, offers some of the best views of the pitch in any league due to the simple layout.
Ups and downs
In 1992, the club made the third division play-off final, at Wembley, losing out eventually on a penalty shootout to Blackpool (see here).
The club again made the play-off final in 1999, again at Wembley, this time beating Leyton Orient 1–0 after a goal from Alex Calvo-Garcia. They were promoted to the Football League Division Two. They were subsequently relegated at the end of the following season.
They started the 2004-05 season in Football League Two, but gained promotion to Football League One. The club was nearly relegated to the Conference National the season before. In the 2004-05 season they led Chelsea, the Premiership champions, 1–0, in the FA Cup 3rd Round, but were denied as they eventually went down 3–1.
2005–2006 season
Scunthorpe United opened the 2005-06 season away at Brentford, where they lost 2–0. However, after this early setback, things picked up for The Iron, who at a couple of points early in the season occupied first place in the division. Their early season good form hit a peak with away victory to League One high-fliers Huddersfield Town by four goals to one. Teenage strike partnership Andy Keogh and Billy Sharp made a name for themselves at this time.
However, subsequently they slid down the league table somewhat, due in part to two 5–2 defeats, away at Blackpool and Barnsley.
The club reached the third round of the FA Cup, beating Bury and Aldershot Town before losing 3–1 away to the Premiership's Manchester City despite leading 1-0 at one stage.
In the 2005–06 season the club finished 12th in Coca-Cola League 1. Billy Sharp finished the season joint top scorer of the season with 23 league goals, sharing the Golden Boot with Southend United's Freddy Eastwood.
2006–2007 season
The league season got off to a poor start, with Scunthorpe losing 1–0 to Bristol City. This was followed by 2–2 draws with Swansea City and Crewe Alexandra. Scunthorpe also went down 2–1 to Rotherham United on 19 August, which was followed by a 1–1 draw with Brentford. On 1 September, Scunthorpe gained their first win of the season, 2–0 away to Gillingham. However, Scunthorpe then suffered a 1–0 defeat at the hands of Oldham Athletic. Scunthorpe then won their first home game of the season, beating Port Vale 3–0, quickly followed by a home win over Cheltenham Town.
The Iron set a new club record when they achieved a 16 game unbeaten sequence after drawing 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on 17 March 2007. This run continued for another 3 games, setting a new club record of 19 games without defeat, until Northampton Town beat The Iron 2-1, bringing the run to an end.
On April 14, 2007, Scunthorpe beat Huddersfield Town 2-0, after two goals from Billy Sharp, thus ensuring their promotion to the Coca Cola Championship. They also clinched the title on 28 April 2007, despite a 3-1 defeat at Blackpool. Scunthorpe recorded another 3-0 home win and later were crowned champions of League One.
2006-2007 was arguably the Iron's best season to date. The number of points achieved (91) and the number of goals scored by Billy Sharp (30) were greater than those achieved by any other team in the Premiership and the Football League.
Cup Competitions
A 4–3 extra time home win against local rivals Lincoln City in the Carling Cup earned the Iron a big money match against Premiership side Aston Villa, at Glanford Park. Aston Villa won the match 2–1. In the FA Cup, the Iron beat Cheltenham Town 2-0 after a replay. In the second round they lost to Wrexham 2-0, missing out on the third round for the first time since the 1999/2000 season. The Iron also lost to Port Vale on penalties in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
2007-2008 season
Scunthorpe's return to this level began with an away match against newly relegated Charlton Athletic. The first match between these sides in 33 years resulted in a 1-1 draw at The Valley.
This was followed a week later with the first home game played by United in the second tier of English football for 43 years with Burnley being the visitors. Scunthorpe ran out 2-0 winners.
Scunthorpe enjoyed a good start to the Championship season, rising as high as 4th at one point, however their form, especially during the second half of the season faltered, this included a 5-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion. They did manage to earn some wins in the second half of the season, most notably against former Premier League club Charlton Athletic and promotion chasing Plymouth Argyle.
On 12 April 2008, their fate was sealed 4 matches prior to the end of the season with a two - nil loss away to play-off candidates Crystal Palace.
They finished second from bottom in the final table with 46 points, drawing their final game of the season 3-3 with bottom-placed Colchester. [1]
In the cups, Scunthorpe were knocked out of the Carling Cup after a first round 2-1 home defeat to Hartlepool United. While in the FA Cup they were knocked out in the 3rd round after a 1-0 defeat away at Preston North End.
2008-2009 season
Scunthorpe were drawn at home for their first game of the season, losing 2-1 to Leeds United. They also lost to Walsall and then lost to Hartlepool in the League Cup. Since that defeat their form picked up, with wins against Peterborough United, Stockport County, Brighton and previously unbeaten Carlisle United.
They picked up more wins against Hereford United and Yeovil Town, before a 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient prevented a club record 8 wins in a row, they won their next match against Crewe 3-0 and were then top of the Coca-Cola League One, they beat Cheltenham 2 - 1 away from home, to make it 10 wins out of 11 games, they drew at home with Southend United, before beating their nearest rivals Millwall 3-2 at Glanford Park, their unbeaten run came to an end when they lost 3-0 away to Oldham Atletic.
After a month of hovering in and around the play-offs, they secured the final play off place at home to Tranmere Rovers when they drew 1-1. They secured a place in the Championship with a 3-2 victory over Millwall in the final.
They were drawn away to Walsall in the first round of the FA Cup, they beat them 3-0. In the second round they drew non-league side Alfreton Town at home whom they beat them 4-0.
The reached the final of the Football League Trophy where they lost 3-2 to Luton Town after extra time. Their route to the final saw them beat Notts County, local rivals Grimsby Town, Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers and Rotherham United in the Northern section final.
2009-2010 season
A difficult season ended with relative success for Scunthorpe when a 2-2 draw at home to Reading in their 44th league game of the season ensured survival and another year in the Championship. A notable highlight of this campaign was the 2-1 home win over eventual Champions and Premier League power, Newcastle United.
Divisional Movements
Second Level: 1958-1964, 2007–2008, 2009-
Third Level: 1950-1958, 1964–1968, 1972–1973, 1983–1984, 1999–2000, 2005–2007, 2008–2009
Fourth Level: 1968-1972, 1973–1983, 1984–1999, 2000–2005
Achievements
- Third Division North: Champions (as Scunthorpe & Lindsey United)
- 1957-58
- Fourth Division: Fourth (Promoted)
- 1971-72, 1982–83
- Division Three (Fourth Tier): Play-Off Winner (Promoted)
- 1999-98
- League Two (Fourth Tier): Runner-Ups
- 2004-2005
- League One (Third Tier): Champions
- 2006-2007
- League One (Third Tier): Play-Off Winner (Promoted)
- 2008-2009
Notable former players
Among the hundreds of players who have turned out for the club, five may be considered outstanding:
- Kevin Keegan – twice European Footballer of the Year, played for Liverpool and England player and his subsequent managerial career has been eventful.
- Ray Clemence – decorated goalkeeper, played for Liverpool and England.
- Jack Brownsword – according to Sir Stanley Matthews, the best full-back in the Second Division, who played 597 games for United, scored numerous penalties (50 goals) and continued with the Club following his retirement as a player.
- Barrie Thomas – A centre forward who scored a club record 30 goals in 22 league games in Division 2, before being sold in mid-season to Newcastle United.
- Jack Haigh – the leading member of Scunthorpe's team throughout the 1950s, winning promotion to Division 2 in 1958 as the last winners of the Third Division North, before Divisions 3 and 4 were created.
Players whose careers progressed in the professional game, or gained international honours have included:
- Ken Jones – (goalkeeper), one of the Welsh squad at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
- John Kaye – FA Cup finalist with West Bromwich Albion.
- Neil Pointon – full-back for Everton and other clubs.
- Richard Money – full-back for Liverpool (subsequently manager of various clubs).
- Ian Storey-Moore (Youth team) – Nottingham Forest and England
- Nigel Cassidy – Oxford United
- Graham Alexander – Burnley & Scotland
- Grant McCann – Northern Ireland international
- Matt Elliot - Leicester
- Peter Beagrie – joined United after a successful career with Liverpool.
Occasional celebrity player: Ian Botham (cricketer)
A number of former United players have become managers including:
- Keith Burkinshaw (Spurs)
- Brian Laws (Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley)
- Freddie Goodwin (Tampa Bay Rowdies: 1960's professional league in the USA.)
- Neil Warnock (QPR)
More recently successful players include:
- Jermaine Beckford – loaned from Leeds United
- Andy Keogh – Wolves
- Billy Sharp – Sheffield United (now Doncaster)
- Gary Hooper – Celtic
- Kelly Youga – loaned from Charlton
- Martin Paterson - Burnley
- Jack Cork - Chelsea
- Andy Dawson - Hull City
Players
- As of 10 August 2010.[3]
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Local rivals
The team's local rivals include Grimsby Town, Hull City, Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers. Matches between Hull and Scunthorpe are often referred to as Humber Derbies, due to the fact that the teams lie either side of the River Humber.
The Lincolnshire teams have met regularly in the Lincolnshire County Senior Cup.
Records
Attendances
Record attendance (Old Showground)
- 23,935 v Portsmouth, FA Cup 4th rd. 30 January 1954
Record attendance (Glanford Park)
- 8,921 v Newcastle United, Championship, 20 October 2009
The highest position: 4th in Second Division (1961–62)
The lowest position: 24th in Fourth Division (1974–75)
Scores
Record victory
- 8–1 v Luton Town, Division 3, 24 April 1965 Team: - Sidebottom, Horstead, Hemstead, Smith, Neale, Lindsey, Bramley (1), Scott, Thomas (5), Mahy (1), Wilson (1).
- 8–1 v Torquay United, New Division 3, 28 October 1995 Team: - Samways, Housham, Wilson, Ford (1), Knill (1), Hope (Nicholson), Thornber, Bullimore (Walsh), McFarlane (4) (Young), Eyre (2), Paterson.
Record defeat
- 0–8 v Carlisle United, Division 3 (N) 25 November 1952 Team: - Malan, Hubbard, Brownsword, McGill, Taylor, Bushby, Daley, Haigh, White, Whitfield, Mosby
Transfers
Highest fees paid
- Rob Jones - £700, 000 from Hibernian
- Martin Paterson - £425,000 from Stoke City
- Kevan Hurst - £200,000 from Sheffield United
- Steve Torpey - £175,000 from Bristol City
- David Mirfin - £125,000-£175,000 from Huddersfield Town
- Martyn Woolford - £125,000 from York City
- Billy Sharp - £100,000 from Sheffield United
Highest fees received
- Gary Hooper - £2,400,000 to Celtic
- Billy Sharp - £2,000,000 to Sheffield United
- Martin Paterson - £1,000,000 to Burnley, will raise by £300,000 depending on future appearances
- Andy Keogh - £800,000,to Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Neil Cox - £400,000 and 1600 seats, to Aston Villa
- Chris Hope - £250,000 to Gillingham
Women's football
The women's football club, Scunthorpe United L.F.C., who play in the Northern Combination Women's Football League, is affiliated with Scunthorpe United F.C.
Mascots
Scunthorpe United's official team mascots are the Scunny Bunny and the Scunny Hunny Bunny,[6][7] who wear the same claret and blue kit as the team's players do.
Chants
The most played chant is Sunny Scunny Tripitakas. Also played is Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag, Hi Ho Silver Lining by Jeff Beck and Tom Hark (common to many clubs). A song associated with Scunthorpe United is Any Old Iron, though it is rarely sung as a chant. More common are songs indicating disdain for Grimsby Town, or suggesting that Joe Murphy ought to be the Republic of Ireland first choice goalkeeper. In 2006, the club's fans began a new football chant "Who needs Mourinho, we've got our physio" after Nigel Adkins, the club's former physio replaced Brian Laws as manager, eventually to lead United to promotion.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Highs & Lows". Scunthorpe United - Official Website. 2007-06-25. http://www.scunthorpe-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10442~64336,00.html. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "SCUNTHORPE & LINDSEY UNITED". Football Club History Database. http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/SCUNTHLU.HTM. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
- ↑ "Profiles". Scunthorpe United F.C.. http://www.scunthorpe-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10442,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ "Rochdale sign Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Josh Lillis". BBC Sport. 2010-07-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/8793268.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
- ↑ "Chesterfield sign Scunthorpe's Ian Morris on loan". BBC Sport. 2010-07-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/8824962.stm. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ↑ "A day in the life..". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/humber/content/articles/2005/12/06/scunny_bunny_video_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
- ↑ "Study United Brochure, Page 11" (PDF). Study United. http://www.studyunited.org.uk/casestudies/castironsupport.pdf. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
- ↑ "Who needs Mourinho, we've got the physio!!". The Mirror. 2007-03-24. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=who-needs-mourinho--we-ve-got-the-physio-&method=full&objectid=18801896&siteid=89520-name_page.html&ei=zyMrRu-CLo-oqgO0puUo. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
External links
- http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk - official site
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