Fact File
Full Name: Scunthorpe United Football Club
Year Formed: 1899
Nickname: The Iron
Stadium: Glanford Park
Capacity: 9,088
2021/22 Finish: 24th in League Two
Review of the 2021/22 season
The less said about Scunthorpe United’s 2021/22 season the better as the club endured arguably one of their worst campaigns ever. They went out of the League Cup and FA Cup at the first round as well as exiting the EFL Trophy at the group stage. The Iron’s league campaign wouldn’t fair much better with a possible four wins out 46 games. Neil Cox was relieved of his duties at the start of November and quickly replaced by the experienced Keith Hill. The former Rochdale man couldn’t turn the tides though as Scunthorpe’s fate was sealed in April. A 3-0 defeat away at Leyton Orient was the final nail in the coffin. Their last game in the EFL, for now at least, was a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Bristol Rovers – who unbelievably secured promotion on goal difference.
Manager – Keith Hill
Keith Hill is a name that a large majority of EFL supporters will know of as he played his entire professional career in the Football League. Since retiring in 2003, the former centre-back has made a name for himself in management – mostly with Rochdale. He spent a combined total of 11 years with the Dale throughout two spells. Hill has won promotion twice with Rochdale – both being third-place finishes in League Two. After leaving the club for a second time in 2019, he had stints at Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers before becoming manager of Scunthorpe. Unfortunately for Hill, his first season at Glanford Park ended in bitter disappointment as the club were relegated to the fifth tier.
Star Player – Elliott Whitehouse
Elliott Whitehouse is a player that will bring some good National League and Football League experience to Scunthorpe United as they embark in a first season in the fifth tier of English football. He started his career with Sheffield United in 2013 but didn’t receive regular first-team football until his spell with Nuneaton Town in 2015. The midfielder is not a stranger to winning trophies either as he was part of the Lincoln City squad that won the National League, got to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and won the EFL Trophy in 2018. Whitehouse also played 20 league games as Forest Green Rovers won the League Two title last season. The 28-year-old was released at the end of the season before making the move to Scunthorpe.
Overall Head-to-head Record
P65 W24 D18 L23
Chesterfield and Scunthorpe United have always taken part in close encounters, however, the latter came out on top in the last two meetings. In the 2016/17 season, Scunthorpe produced a brilliant second-half display to come away from the Technique Stadium with the three points – Josh Morris, Kevin Van Veen and Sam Mantom with the goals. In the reverse fixture, the Iron raced into another three-goal lead with Paul McGinn putting in his own net and Ivan Toney bagging a brace. Tom Anderson scored a consolation in second-half added time.
Played for both – Jordan Hallam
Jordan Hallam started his career in South Yorkshire with Sheffield United but was sent out on loan to get some first team experience. He had spells at Southport and Norwegian club Viking. The attacking midfielder joined Chesterfield on a one-month loan during the 2018/19 season. Hallam only played three times but made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut, a 1-1 draw away at Eastleigh. He moved to Scunthorpe in January 2019 on a permanent deal and has stayed at Glanford Park ever since. The 23-year-old has struggled to nail a first-team place down – something he will be looking to do in the National League. Hallam is not the only former Spireite with Scunthorpe presently as Alfie Beestin also plays for the Iron.
