Scunthorpe fans fume to the latest statement from COO Lee Turnbull while manager Keith Hill reacts to the club’s relegation.
The Iron’s 72-year stay in the English Football League has come to an end as a 3-0 defeat at Leyton Orient confirmed their relegation from League Two.
Paul Smyth saw his low shot go past Rory Watson’s near post to put the O’s in front in the 15th minute before Orient doubled their lead six minutes later with Theo Archibald curling a left-footed effort into the far corner of the net from the corner of the 18-yard box.
Ruel Sotiriou was unmarked at the far post and headed in Jordan Brown’s deep cross for the O’s third as Scunthorpe already resigned themselves to losing.
Leyton Orient could have extended his side’s lead when Sotiriou hit the post after Brown’s through ball, while Watson denied Archibald just after the hour mark while Kyprianou crashed an effort off the Scunthorpe crossbar six minutes later.
The defeat – which became Scunthorpe’s 26th in 42 league games – left them 16 points from safety with 12 left to play for.
First team manager Keith Hill said to iFollow: “The first half was embarrassing, really embarrassing from a manager’s perspective but for the players as well. They owned up and admitted to it at half time, but in what was a real of game of pressure we folded. We make little mistakes that lead to big mistakes, and they are simple mistakes.
“I keep telling everyone we don’t practice failure but it’s not evident in performances. There’s a complacency that we need to shift very quickly, and I haven’t been able to shift it since I’ve been here. The summer brings change and it needs massive change.
“I’m disappointed for the football club and the supporters, but I was embarrassed from the first half. When their central defender decides to shoot from the half way line I think that’s an insult to the football club, but he’s got every right to do it and it was far too easy for the opponents. I find it hard emotionally and I have had to keep myself from reacting to bad situations on numerous occasions.”
On the effect on the supporters, he said: “I feel bad for the supporters and I always have done. Today the supporters were magnificent (275 travelled to back the team) and they have been all season. This season must be remembered as one that we can’t repeat ever again as we go forward.
“We have to create a new model, a new identity, and a new foundation to build this football club on. It’s a very good football club and it’s a sad day for me. It hurts everybody and the impact hurts the supporters more than anybody else. It’s a real bad impact. You’ve got to be part of it to feel it and understand it, and then you’ve got to make sure you build from that hurt.”
Hill went on to say: “I include the players, the supporters, the members of staff at the stadium, and the footballing staff. We have to put closure on this spiral that the football club has been on and make sure that we build a different and solid football club coming forward.”
📹 iFollow freeview: First team manager Keith Hill speaks after today’s game at Leyton Orient saw relegation to the National League confirmed. pic.twitter.com/Ecq7z1DeBR
— iFollow Iron (@iFollowIron) April 15, 2022
He also spoke about the younger players, saying: “I thought Ethan Young was amazing, I really did. He’s going to make mistakes, there’s no doubt about it. He’s a centre half who played left-back. He has pace, presence and he’s a quick learner who’s respectful. He’s respectful of the opportunity that the football club has given him and respectful to the staff and his peers – his team mates and the opposition.
“He loves football and he doesn’t just want the lifestyle, but he wants to win and he wants to be better – the best that he can be. He’s going to be a very good football player and we have to protect him, as he’s going to be one of a few that we can really put our trust in because for me they fall into that category where they will do more to achieve more.”
“We have a generation of players that want to do less and expect more, but in the competitive football world you had to do more every day. You have to do more against the players you’re competing against for a place so that you can do more against the opponents you face on a regular basis.”
The first team manager finished by saying: “This is how you get success, because you do become the company you keep, so it’s important that the company we create at this football club inspires one another and shows a desire and determination to improve every day, to be humble to the people they’re working for – the supporters.”
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe Chief Operating Officer (COO) Lee Turnbull writes via the club website: “My first week in position has been enjoyable and challenging. The opportunity to be part of an evolving Scunthorpe United, including winning the Lincolnshire Senior Cup with the youngest side in our history, fills me with enormous pride.
“I’m all for freedom of speech, and will happily engage with supporters. This is “our” club and needs to rebuild and realign to meet the challenges ahead. Keith and his young team needs your energy and support. Young players need to focus, and your voices can inspire them on the pitch.
“Potential new owners will be watching the Mansfield game, and now have an opportunity, with Peter stepping down, to embrace and galvanise our fan base if they buy the football club.
“I’ve worked at Scunthorpe United for nearly 25 years, over four decades, and I understand the dynamic behind the recent frustrations. We must now draw a line in the sand, move forward and focus on finishing the season positively on and off the pitch. Unite and be United! In the words of the famous song: “If the kids are United, they will never be divided.”
“This young team needs your support and from this point onwards we show everyone that the Iron can, and will bounce back! ”
Scunthorpe fans and players showing appreciation for each others effort today. pic.twitter.com/DPGLWoHPLk
— Jim Dale (@Mr_Tea82) April 15, 2022
As mentioned, Scunthorpe fans fume to his latest statement while manager Keith Hill reacts on the club’s relegation…
@LancsIron: How is this new dawn happening? cloak and dagger needs to go get the facts on the table. How far on actually are we with any takeover? How many parties are actually interested. Club is in trouble no more hiding get it out there who knows fans may become more tolerant…
@saleiron: “The players and staff know how much the fans are hurting right now and are deeply sorry that they fell short this season. It’s a sad day for the club, but we hope to have some positive news for fans in the coming days. There will be brighter times ahead. uti” Fixed it for you.
@alex_scunny: Are you taking the piss?
@mgell1s: A statement befitting our current plight. Completely inadequate given the gravity of our situation. But we’re all used to that..
@bowiebhoy72: Well that was eh… inspiring!
@willshorty87: Great statement
@juanyenks: Did we wait 19 hours for that.
@andrewgravill: A ‘sorry’ from someone, anyone, would be nice.
@nickcooper1974: Poor Lee must be exhausted today having stayed up all night to write that
@sifoulerfowler: Convinced me to buy a season ticket that.
@peterogden77: Well that’s an in depth statement!
@AshleyIain4: Bet that took some thinking about 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
@mlond1985: Is that it? Fans deserve a lot better than that
@TrentSUFC: More statements then wins this season
@L_Tab: Figure there will be a lot of things that can’t be spoken about from Turnbull but surely we could have had an address about the history of 72 years in the league and the recent successful years etc etc. seems a little half arsed but hopefully brighter days to come.
@dxnrzx: I love you Lee, but that’s abysmal. Does anyone but the fans care?
@beagrie_is_mint: People will be queuing up for season tickets after that rallying call
@tim_blessed: Poor response from the club when so much hurt across all the supporters and town #uti
@jakeshep10: All we fucking get?
@neary7: Another Swann puppet. Doubt he even wrote it himself. If that’s all they can give the fans after what they have done then it sums them up. Rats. #sufc #iron #swannout
@TheJonnyB_: Relegation has been all but confirmed for months, and this is all they have prepared 😂 Alexa, please define tinpot club
@BankfootBantam: Gutted for all the Scunthorpe fans and I hope they have an happy ending was always good to go to Glanford with Bradford City its disgusting whats happened and the lack of response. #UTI #IRON
@cricketcelt: That’s a terrible statement but at least they’ve got one. When we were relegated we had radio silence from the club for the next 10 weeks. 😂
@robrich365: Sorry Lee – not comprehensive enough….. Whilst there’s not much anyone can say now I would love to hear your personal thoughts not just about yesterday but the lead up to it and the past 9 years.
@TimScales94: That might be the worst club statement I’ve ever read.
@shaunrichards73: Pathetic statement that. It’s hard now but things will get better. Enjoy the journey ahead it’s a hell of a rollercoaster
@Tom_Hancock_: Another club whose hierarchy clearly couldn’t give two fucks about the fans they’re supposed to work for. Abysmal.
@garysimmo72: Really !!!! 72 years of being a football league club, and this is all we get. Nothing from the man and his family who sunk us. Disgraceful
@ScarrMatty: The lack of content and contrition in the statement actually says more than the statement itself. Very sad situation
@chriswatki1974: Such a half arsed statement, pretty much sums up our club at the moment, I’d expect this from Swann, but you’ve got to be better than this Lee
@owenslipp__: Still waiting for the apology
@decking_murr: Fucking hell, sums the season up really – not even half arsed. Shite iron
@Greeny18o: Is this a piss take?
— IRON BRU (@ironbru_net) April 16, 2022
— Mc_Veyyy (@mcvey_oliver) April 16, 2022
So glad this statement has been released. Full of confidence and inspiration for the new era, class Lee 👌🏻 https://t.co/tsJSF3IWHz
— Evan Gibson (@EvanGibson1) April 16, 2022
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