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Scunthorpe game suspended as supporters stick to their word invading pitch protesting ownership

The Scunthorpe v Woking game had to be suspended as supporters stick to their word invading the pitch protesting the ownership of the club.

The National League clash was stopped after fans ran on and stayed in the centre circle of the pitch, aiming anger against club owner Peter Swann who is looking to sell the club.

This moment came when the scoreline was 1-0 to Woking, with the Iron sitting bottom of the table following four wins from their last 27 games.

Supporters set off flares and at first refused to be moved by stewards – but play eventually got back underway as they returned to their seats following their unexpected display of discontent.

It was just six minutes in wen Woking took the lead through Rhys Browne who placed the ball into the far right corner.

Amond made it 2-0 to Woking, late in the second half, with a perfect finish, curling in from the left to right.

Scunny have an uncertain future, and this was made more concerning are being served a winding-up petition over an alleged unpaid tax bill.

The petition for an order was filed by HM Revenue and Customs on the 11th of January 2023 – issued when a creditor requests the court to close down a company.

If the debt failed to be paid on the specified date, and the court finds that the debtor has no ability to pay it, the bank account of the company will normally be frozen.

The official receiver will then sell any assets or property. Peter Swann, the owner of the company, has acknowledged that the petition was filed but has not provided any further comments.

Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert, spoke with BBC Radio Humberside, claim the club would likely have received multiple notices prior to a winding-up petition being served.

He said that this isn’t the first time such notice has been sent to a football club, but that ‘most stories’ are positive and clubs find their way out of financial difficulties.

“We do see these with other football clubs, Southend United for example, they practically have season tickets with the HMRC with the number of times they have been served with winding-up orders, but at the last minute the club owner manages to find money to pay them off,” he added.

Peter Swann stated in December 2022 that a deal was being made to transfer ownership. However, this has yet to happen.

According to a club statement, Scunthorpe stated that they needed to pay the club’s wages for the previous month. This was possible thanks to the agreement.

The statement read: “We needed to ensure that the club wages for November were paid as soon as possible, which will happen later today or tomorrow thanks to the deal and ensure the long-term future of the football club with new investment.”

The club’s next fixture against Woking this Saturday will go ahead proceed as normal, however fans are planning a protest, with some mentioning invading the pitch and making their way into the centre circle mid second half.

Mark Frost wrote in a supporters group, planning the protest: “Right.. on the pitch this weekend 72 minute centre circle. It has to be done! I’ll even come up from london for this one. Not just a few kids but this needs everyone off their seat and on the pitch. We are on the verge of going bust. We are losing everything we are passionate for! Emotionally and financially. We aren’t getting no media attention and I rang talkSPORT earlier and they weren’t interested. We have to do it. We are going to lose the club!”

This also comes hours after reports claimed former Notts County owner Alan Hardy is leading a consortium interested in purchasing Scunthorpe United.

BBC Humberside say a takeover by a local consortium looked to be close last month but remains uncompleted with fans hearing nothing more on that.

Hardy was at Notts County in 2017 but his time in charge, a controversial one, saw them relegated from the Football League for the first time in their history in May 2019.

Hardy put the club up for sale and the Magpies were taken over in July of that year.

This is what social media users said as the Scunthorpe game gets suspended with supporters choosing to stick to their word by invading the pitch protesting the ownership of the club…

@IW150322: You need to keep on with pitch protests. With you all the way. Disgrace what is being done to your club.

@samuellatics: Good on them. Scunthorpe a club in full head on demise, fans doing what they need to do

@steve_rippin: Excellent, fan power against #oafc #sufc

@ch_endo: Good on them. Fuck off swann ya big fat ponce

@Jamesr02_: Fair play to your fans, a club like yours never should’ve been in the position it’s in

@bear_wellington: There’s been break in play for the last two and a half years!

@jordanzakarin: Scunthorpe fans didn’t want it to come to this. They held back, worried about dropped points and disrespecting the sport and club. But with the way Swann has brought them to the brink and tormented them, this was sadly inevitable.

@RichardLilley6: Fair play to Scunthorpe. They need to do something to save their club 😢

@samallen_20: #SwannOut

@tomd0312: Fairplay, don’t blame them at all

@aj_mitchell29: Fair play to them

@cmacd57: Respect 👏

@oliverross2001: Well done lads 👏🏽 really hope your new owners take over soon, Your club deserves better!!

@cfcjb_: Good on them, about time

@Origi_Aaronski: Well done @SUFCOfficial fans. It’s the only way to get the scumbags out of your club. Good luck from an Oldham fan

@elliotwarnerr: Wouldn’t ever see that at huish park

@WFC_LucasW: Cant blame them

@SpireiteNews: Can’t blame them at all! 👏

@HungryHatter: Good on them. I’m sure the National League will be thoroughly sympathetic regarding the club’s plight and only dock them five points or so.

@JayPVFC: Well in lads, about time something was done to save your club. #UTI

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