Manager Jimmy Dean speaks on the grim situation at Scunthorpe United as fans come together to raise thousands to help out their staff.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a year for the Iron, with new beginnings seeing Peter Swann leave and David Hilton come in, having previously been at Ilkeston.
But his short tenure quickly turned sour, with Hilton withdrawing funding for Scunthorpe, and claimed in midweek that they will play games away from Glanford Park because of a land dispute.
Having already put the club up for sale, just eight months after taking over, a statement said Hilton felt his position is “untenable”, and is “actively seeking a way out”.
The National League North club say they will leave Glanford Park after hosting Brackley on the 7th of October 2023 at Gainsborough Trinity, who have since said Scunthorpe’s statement was issued “without the knowledge or consent” of the club.
Jimmy Dean spoke with Sky Sports in a brief interview ahead of his side’s National League North clash against Buxton.
In it, he said: “There’s issues to resolve, and we just hope that there’s some people who come forward and can help us resolve them, because I think that’s where we’re at now.
“They’re still hope. As long as it’s still hope, we’ve got to keep trying. The secrets’ in the name, Scunthorpe United, and a lot of fans talk about being United and standing together.
“Me and the players, that’s what we need now. We need you guys to come out and support us and show us you’re with us.
“And I know there’s a lot of noise and gray areas and all the rest of it, but we can only control the football, and it’s a lot easier when we’re together. And as I said, when we’re united.”
— Sophie. (@sab_89_) September 29, 2023
Over £46,000 has been raised, as of writing (30th September 2023) to help Scunthorpe United staff, among those to have donated so far include current midfielder Jacob Butterfield.
IRON BRU’S GOFUNDME STATEMENT
Hello Iron fans and football fans around the UK. We are the Iron Bru podcast, and in tandem with The Iron Hour podcast and many other Scunthorpe United supporters groups and fans, we’ve created this Gofundme page to show solidarity and to stand side-by-side with all staff at Scunthorpe United FC.
This fundraising page has been set up to support Scunthorpe United staff in light of recent news that Scunthorpe chairman, David Hilton has withdrawn all funding from the club. Today (29/9) is payday, and staff have not been paid. We’re fundraising to set up a fund to support staff in these dire times – when undoubtedly they will need to pay bills, feed families and pay their mortgages.
Scunthorpe United stands on the brink of the abyss, a proud community club that is over 124 years old, a club full of memories, love and admiration for Iron fans around the world. Chairman David Hilton has left the club on the brink, and its loyal and hardworking staff in dire straits. Please help us to create a safety net for everyone who is employed by the club.
Up the Iron.
Ian Sharp who was previously part of a consortium interested in taking over the club & also Grimsby Town’s chairman Jason Stockwood are among those who have donated to the fundraiser helping Scunthorpe United’s staff pic.twitter.com/GWfquYTu6Z
— Thomas Feaheny (@ThomasFeaheny) September 29, 2023
We all remember who took us to our first match, who gave us the SUFC bug, and even if they’re no longer here they live on through the highs & lows of that undying, shared love for a football club.
It’s not just entertainment, football’s a lifeline. We live to fight another day. pic.twitter.com/pslFJXvYyd
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) January 26, 2023
BBC Radio Humberside can confirm that players and staff at Scunthorpe haven’t been paid today [29th September 2023]. The club isn’t commenting at this time – with pre-match media not taking place – but it has confirmed that tomorrow’s match with Buxton will still go ahead.
It’s understood that the Professional Footballers’ Association is involved and is working to assist and support Scunthorpe United players who haven’t been paid.
This is what Twitter users had to say as manager Jimmy Dean speaks on the situation at Scunthorpe while fans raise thousands to help pay staff…
@Ironknut: Is the non playing staff about £26k per month? Judging by Hilton’s claim of £130k total and 80% playing budget. This is gonna pay two months wages at least, PFA may help with players, this in unbelievable, there could yet be some kind of way out #uti
@gtfc_maff: Grimsby Fan here, rivalries aside, what’s happening to your club is horrible, if even a small donation helps it done, £20 donated 👍🏻
@MelThurlby: Grimsby Town Supporter here, donated £10, good luck!
@GrahamCannon: #hcafc fan here – but colours don’t matter when your club is dying… Donated 👍
@Palmerlona14: Donated to this worthy cause. Let’s hope you get owners that respect the club and the community! From a Chelmsford City supporter #SUFC
@JaseIves: Small donation made from myself, Mariners fan – all the best with this and whatever way/form you can go forward. 👍
@RobCoxYTFC: How is this still allowed to happen!? When will the powers that be actually do something to protect clubs and their employees and fans. Had a similar experience with our last owner at yeovil. A soul destroying experience and nearly finished the club. Donation made.
@BrianNicholso16: Good luck and hope that after the staff have been paid, football fans unite to save clubs like yours & Southend. I’m GTFC through and through and know how much our clubs mean to many and the impact the have on our lives.
@lennonskinner1: Save Scunthorpe ✊🏻
@GeorgeKidner: Once and for all. Always Iron.
@JasonCor24884: Good look Scunny. The football pyramid is behind yous.
@saleiron: Right behind the players and staff tomorrow. They deserve it and we need to show that the town must have a professional club.
@toby_dart: Come on scunny! Get behind them tomorrow lads! Hope you win and get back on the right track asap. Hoping for the best possible outcome ❤️ Torquay fan x
@ch1ffy: On the 1 hand you turn up in numbers show you’re support/protest as may be last game then knowing that non ST holders have to pay in full AGAIN which never happens just leads me to believe that all in attendance are further lining Hilton’s/White’s/Satan himself’s pockets.
@sussexbythesea4: Hope the club gets its act together. Never forgot going there with brighton. All the best
@garryp65803262: The team needs a bloody chairman that’s got bottle to stand by his previous commitment to the club he gave us hope and light at the end of a dark tunnel now we are back to square one to say heartbroken would be an understatement
You must be logged in to post a comment Login