Scunthorpe United have been tipped for immediate promotion after wasting no time with their seven impressive additions so far.
The Iron have just snapped up their seventh signing as they look to try and get back to the top tier of non league at the first attempt.
They suffered a second successive relegation to the National League North on the 10th of April, just over a decade after playing Championship football.
But now, under new ownership, they’re hoping to bring the good times back, with lots of work to do behind the scenes of the club and on the pitch.
So, to start it off, attention turns to 2023/24, and the club have confirmed the new signings of Michael Kelly, Danny Whitehall, Will Evans, Tyler Denton, Ross Fitzsimons, Maxim Kouogun and Michael Clunan as of Thursday the 25th of May.
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to announce the signing of Eastleigh forward Danny Whitehall, effective from the start of July 2023 👉 https://t.co/AW3w0IL45v#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/zAsGfi1RIS
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 15, 2023
Speaking following the move, Whitehall said: “It’s fantastic. It’s a massive club in a division that it shouldn’t be in and the aim is to get out of it obviously. I’m really happy to be here.
“It’s all come about quite quick to be honest. I’m a striker who scores goals, which is the most important thing. I wouldn’t say I’m a number nine or a number 10, I’m probably somewhere in between. It’s always nice to score the long range and extravagant goals, but it’s just as important to score the tap-ins as well. As a striker, I’ll take a goal any which way it comes.”
Whitehall wants to be a big part in getting United back on track and sees the challenge of returning the club up the divisions as a big reason for joining: “It was a big incentive of signing. It’s a huge club and shouldn’t be in this division. The aim is to get straight back out of it.
“The gaffer has made it very clear to me. The huge fanbase was another massive reason why I wanted to sign here.”
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to have signed Eastleigh left-back Michael Kelly in deal starting from July 2023 👉 https://t.co/cJf1gN6Yt2#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/MoVlsv0R88
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 15, 2023
Talking about the move to the Iron, Kelly said: “I’m delighted to get it done. I was interested as soon as I knew the club were keen on me.
“I’ve spoken to the manager about the plans for next season and it ticked all the boxes for me. It’s going to be a rebuild and we want to do really well, try to win the league and come straight back up.
“If we can get off to a good start and do really well, we can get very good numbers supporting us and that’s what we want.”
He added: “It’s up to us to get this club back up to where it should be, and hopefully this coming season can be the springboard to that.”
Talking about his style of play, he said: “I’m technically quite good. I like to get up and down the left side, and would like to think I’ve got good quality going into the box with my crosses. I like to communicate and try to be a leader.
“I’m excited to get going, and looking forward to meeting up with the lads for the start of pre-season.
“It’s a good opportunity for myself and my family to move a little further north for a new challenge which I’m prepared to fully embrace. Hopefully I can kick on and do well.”
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to have completed the signing of centre-back Will Evans on a one-year contract for the 2023-24 season following his departure from Boreham Wood 👉 https://t.co/6hLlS5a0MY#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/jVy5Nu0FGh
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 16, 2023
Evans said: “It’s obviously a big club that has been under some difficult times recently. Hopefully, with the signings coming in, we can bounce back up the leagues.
“Straight away there are good intentions being put out to the rest of the league where Scunthorpe are at. It’s pleasing for me personally, because you want to be playing at the the top end of any league, so hopefully we can be right up there.”
Evans brings a wealth of experience and success within his game, and is looking forward to forming a sturdy defence in North Lincolnshire: “We had the best defensive record in the division last season (at Boreham Wood). With the likes of Wrexham and Notts County in there, I think that’s a great achievement for the club, and from a personal point of view being a defender.
“Hopefully my experience can help guide the club back to winning ways and back to the top end, and then hopefully back into the National League one year from now and then push on again. It’s a big club, with a big fan base, and we should have ambitions of that.”
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to have completed the signing of versatile defender Tyler Denton on a one-year deal, effective from 1st July 2023 👉 https://t.co/nf1ZckYUCV#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/fwO0Cu9lZY
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 16, 2023
Upon signing for the Iron, Denton said: “I’m delighted to sign. It was a good year at King’s Lynn, missing out on automatic promotion by a couple of points and then losing in the play-offs. I feel like that experience has helped me and I’ve come here to go one step better and take this great club straight back up.
“I play everywhere really – left-back, wing-back, centre-back and midfield. I like to keep the ball and I like to be a leader on the pitch and try to excite the fans. The gaffer’s ambition and aim is partly what has brought me here as well. We want to go straight back up and hopefully we can do that at the first time of asking.”
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to have completed the signing of goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons on a two-year deal effective from July 2023 👉 https://t.co/5OrHdkW15j#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/hzSD7Rxc7R
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 17, 2023
After putting pen to paper, Fitzsimons said: “I’m delighted to get it signed and I’m so happy to be here.
“It’s really unfortunate where the club is at the moment but, with the signings we’re making, we want to bounce straight back up.
“I know (fellow new addition) Will Evans well and hopefully we can put a good team together and win this division.”
He added: “It was a rollercoaster of a season last year, to be honest with you. For me, on a personal level, it was a really good one although disappointing to lose in the play-off final. I hope I can build on the season I had and help us get back to where we need to be.
“I’ve played at this level a lot of my career and know what the division will bring and the players I’ll be up against. I’m excited and can’t wait to get going.”
✍️ Scunthorpe United have signed York City central defender Maxim Kouogun in a two-year deal starting from July 2023 👉 https://t.co/4UA2Hx7WaK#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/oLBGzrMOsz
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 17, 2023
After signing for the Iron, Kouogun said: “I’m delighted to be here. I spoke to the gaffer about the project at the club and where they see it going, and it’s something I’m very interested in and glad to be part of.
“The signings we’re making shows the ambition the club’s got and how we’re looking to go in the right direction. I’m happy to be part of that.
“I had a really good time at York and it’s sad to be leaving them, but I’m looking forward to trying to achieve something here now.
“I like to defend first and foremost, and then build from the back. I’ve got pace and just give 110 per cent for the football club and my team-mates.
“It’s good to know where I’ll be next season, recharge and then return for training, meeting my new team-mates at the end of June.”
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to have signed highly-rated midfielder Michael Clunan, in a deal starting from 1st July 2023 👉 https://t.co/Ox4BmjBnac#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/1e5r6Lw3zG
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 22, 2023
Clunan said: “I’m excited to take on a new challenge, meet all the boys and get things underway.
“It’s a big football club and it belongs a lot higher than National League North. That’s the aim and hopefully we can achieve that.
“There are some top players coming in with good experience, and good quality. It’s a tough league and it won’t be easy by any means but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Describing himself as a player, he said: “I’m hard-working and have good energy in the middle of the pitch, liking to get up and down it. I’m a leader and hopefully I can chip in with a few goals this year too.”
Talking about departing King’s Lynn Town, he added: “I’d been there eight years and had some promotions, and ups and downs there. I’m a King’s Lynn boy and it was a very tough decision but ultimately I couldn’t turn down an opportunity like Scunthorpe.”
RELEASED AND RETAINED
Players under contract: Aaron Chapman, Owen Foster, Reagan Ogle, Andrew Boyce, Alfie Beestin, Harry Lewis, Jacob Butterfield, Dion Sembie-Ferris, Danny Elliott, Marcus Carver.
Contract offers made to: Tom Pugh, Cameron Wilson, Dean Rance.
Options have been exercised on the contracts of: Finley Shrimpton, Ethan Young.
Academy scholars offered professional contracts: Harrison Poulter, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, Josh Robertson, Nathaniel Wallace.
16 players will be departing us this summer and the club places on record our thanks to them for their efforts during their time at the Iron. We wish them well for their future careers.
Players leaving the club upon the expiry of their contracts: Ben Richards-Everton, Colin Daniel, Daniel Gallimore, Elliott Whitehouse, George Taft, Jack Moore-Billam, Jordan Hallam, Liam Feeney, Mason O’Malley, Sean Shields.
Players returning to their parent club following the expiry of their loan stays: Tom Billson, Jake Leake, Will Smith, Billy Fewster, Liam Thompson, Richie Bennett.
LATEST PLAYERS UPDATE FROM THE CLUB
Scunthorpe United can provide an update on the following players:
– We can confirm the club has rejected an offer from a Championship side for goalkeeper Owen Foster. The 18-year-old has made 13 senior appearances for United so far and scouts from numerous clubs have been to watch the highly-rated shotstopper.
– Attacker Cameron Wilson has rejected the contract offer made to him by the club this summer and will be moving on. We wish him well for the future.
– Tom Pugh has signed a new one-year contract with the option of a further year in the club’s favour. The 22-year-old midfielder has made a total of 65 appearances so far in claret and blue, after successfully coming through our academy system. Fellow midfielder Dean Rance has verbally agreed terms on a new contract and is expected to sign in due course.
– Midfielder Harry Lewis has had his contract terminated by mutual consent. The 19-year-old made a total of 11 senior appearances for the Iron and went out on loan to Gainsborough Trinity and Boston United last season. We wish him well for his future career.
– Academy trainees Harrison Poulter, Josh Robertson and Nathaniel Wallace have all signed their first ever professional contracts with the club. All three appeared for the first team at stages last season. Tyrell Sellars-Fleming has been offered a professional contract but given more time to consider his future following a trial at Championship side Blackburn Rovers. In addition to Owen Foster, that means five of this year’s academy second year intake have been offered professional contracts. We wish departing scholars Charley Strouther, Harry Elliott-Bell and Ben Pike all the best with their futures.
– We can confirm player of the season winner Reagan Ogle hasn’t expressed any desire to leave the Iron and is a big part of manager Jimmy Dean’s plans for the 2023-24 season.
– Midfielder Jacob Butterfield has expressed a desire to play at a higher level and has been made available for transfer, while striker Marcus Carver has also been made available for transfer. This information has been circulated to other clubs.
Here’s what fans are saying, with Scunthorpe tipped for immediate promotion after wasting no time with seven impressive additions…
@YorkyIron: It’s a good job he is an accountant, because we’ll need one to keep track of how many point we have! GOLDEN TROPHY, UNDEFEATED ALL SEASON, WE ARE MASSIVE
@Aaronknight_94: There chucking absolutely everything at it this season make or break
@joshjohnson4091: Embarrassing if you lot don’t win the league 👍
@ShayneHynes2: Invincible season ?
@aggborough: I repeat. Thank F*ck we are out of that league.. Scunthorpe throwing serious cash about
@GavinCaney: Look after him. @mikeclunan is an outstanding man and player. Gutted.
@mgell1s: Good signing, I hear we needed an accountant!
@Hold3nM: If we don’t win the league now….
@johnnhendo: Sign who we want
@Dazedey: Superb signing. All the best @mikeclunan
@nathancoulson98: save some players for the rest of the vanarama lads, aye?
@MartynMedium: Promotion looking more and more likely Up the Iron
@FyldeMax: Wtf give them the title now
@MRennieRP: Anything but the NLN title now for Scunny is a failure given the signings they’re making.
@Jarvo_2005: WERE BUYING THE LEAGUE, WERE BUYING LEAGUE, SCUN UNITED, WERE BUYING THE LEAGUE
@bekhowell41: If Scunthorpe don’t run away with it there’s a big problem 😂
Next stop: National League pic.twitter.com/rWENbNNCqg
— Aryan Joshi (@Aryan9725) May 22, 2023
OMG
This is the best signing they’ve made. Bar none
Michael Clunan is superb. Just a ridiculously good footballer
Can play CM or more advanced as the AM
Excellent technique. 19 goal contributions from central midfield
Far too good for NLN. #Iron are going for it! https://t.co/xRVublxYe7
— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) May 22, 2023
On top of everything else. Hand them the title. If they don’t win it with the signings they’ve made already, it’s a massive failure. https://t.co/L3rin0IG2u
— Jon Dunham (@JonDunhamNT) May 22, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login