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Scunthorpe board of directors update fans regarding stadium, debt and club’s future

Scunthorpe United’s board of directors update fans regarding their stadium, debt inherited and the club’s future amid recent crisis.

Ahead of their home fixture against Bishop’s Stortford, which sees them back at Glanford Park looking to make it back-to-back wins, they issued a statement on the more important matters with the National League North outfit needing help, but also togetherness from supporters.

Meanwhile, Companies House have also confirmed that Ian Sharp has joined the Scunthorpe United board, which can only mean good news.

STATEMENT:

The Board of Directors issue an update ahead of the Iron’s latest home clash against Bishop’s Stortford, three weeks since the change of ownership…

Firstly, it’s good to have Jimmy Dean back in the building after his operation, and congratulations to the whole team on an excellent performance on Tuesday night against Spennymoor Town. Let’s hope the Iron fans enjoy the same success tomorrow against Bishop’s Stortford. Every week we need you as the “12th Man”, and that continues tomorrow where we hope to have another bumper crowd.

While we have secured the club at present, we are now focused on the next step, which is securing our home at Glanford Park. Discussions continue to progress well, and we are hopeful of a contract exchange by the middle of November, with completion shortly afterwards.

However, that is when the hard work really starts. We really need the support of all our fans coming through the turnstiles and local businesses investing in both the club, and our community. Let’s face it, this football club is integral to the town of Scunthorpe, and we sincerely need everyone to do their bit.

We, as a club, are battling extreme levels of debt inherited – a figure which exceeded over £1.2 million, and the majority of that is required immediately. Non-payments to HMRC, pensions, VAT, and football creditors are all seen as priority creditors, and we need to generate income to fund these debts as well of course paying our dedicated staff on time in the coming days.

As a Board, we have already demonstrated our commitment to stabilising the club’s immediate financial health, and have managed to reduce that level of debt, but we still face an uphill fight to keep reducing it. We must develop a business plan which is sustainable from sponsorship, donations and our supporters coming to watch us. All of this, including purchasing from the shop, booking hospitality in our restaurant, catering and any other initiatives, is critical for our future.

Tomorrow, we play Bishop’s Stortford where we hope to put on another great display and pick up three more points as we challenge for the top of the league. We need each and every one of you to come down to Glanford Park and cheer on the team. Your club needs you.

The Board of Directors extends their sincere thanks to all those who have so far played a role in our endeavours so far. The past three weeks have been a testament to the strength of unity within the Scunthorpe community, and the wider footballing family. The support received has been monumental, and we look forward to further collaboration as we look to shape a prosperous future for our beloved football club. We are working really hard to stabilise the club, and will continue to work on developing initiatives to help us move forward.

This is your club. Let’s make sure our future is bright!

Twitter users reacted as the Scunthorpe board of directors update fans regarding the stadium, debt and club’s future…

@batsfordio: @KieranMaguire @mjshrimper £1.2m in debt. Not, surprisingly enough, the 650k Hilton and his mates claimed

@Ironforever99: This can’t be right, @smashedagain said the debt was only £650k. Fancy believing Hilton.

@Scunnylado: I can’t make it tomorrow but I’ve bought a ticket #uti

@ElmslieEnder: So, which club is tinpot? The part-time tinpotters that stayed up easily on a 10k pw budget or these BELTS that blow money and either go down or have no hope of going back to the EFL?

@Jugger21000: When your FAMILY call for help , you HELP!! This is our family , if you want to help to finally get it back and clear the debt then do the simple things get to the game, dont just think it will be ok cos others will do it..we can only do it TOGETHER!!!

@Lancsiron: Edging closer to getting the ground back. £1.2m inherited debt from Hilton’s time. Am sure the purse strings will be tightened but it will be a long old slog. #UTI

@cmacd57: Professionally written communications? What a time to be alive.

@Greeny5o1: To the good people of Scunthorpe, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. They have saved our club, they continue to fight for its future, now it’s time we do our bit.. Each and everyone of you, get yourselves to GP every home match! We need you!! UNITED WE STAND 💙💜

@decking_murr: Up the fucking Iron, let’s bash these fucking bishops tomorrow.

@harryfinnigan: Is this what it feels like to have a properly functioning football club? Weird

@Danstamp1: UP THE FUCKING CLUB OWNING THE GROUND AGAIN IRON 💜💙

@ironawaydays: There it is, in black and white. The whole community needs to come together and secure the future of the club. The board are doing their best but we need to pull together and help them. What a job they continue to do. We need to secure the club for future generations. UTI💜💙

@sufc_mike: I’m confident we’ll all continue to get behind the club and those who are already doing a fantastic job of keeping it running. Forever Iron.

@matts_N7: Very Promising. And how nice is it to have proper communication through proper channels.

@Got4wheels: £1.2m!? Fair play to the board for lowering that. There’s a lot to take positives from too, especially the stadium. But I fear that that the playing squad will be picked clean…

@nickcooper1974: £1.2m?!?! Wowsers

@DarranPearce: I did wonder if Scunthorpe would be able to afford the current playing squad and given the level of debt and the urgency some of it will need to be paid then there is a chance some players will leave

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