I've decided to do a pilgrimage to visit a selection of Lincolnshire clubs across the county and I am starting at the most northerly of them all, Scunthorpe United FC.
I don't know what you think when you hear the name Scunthorpe, perhaps it is not the prettiest name, perhaps you think of a gritty steel town struggling with hard times and really no one in their right mind would call it 'The Riviera of the Humber' but the town has honesty and a long footballing tradition and a historic club.
A little bit of history, Scunthorpe were founded in 1899 as Scunthorpe and Lindsey United, now just Scunthorpe United, and for most of their history have been in the third and fourth tier (current League 1 and 2) with occasional seasons in the old Division 2 and the Championship. In the last few years their fortunes have tumbled and they have found themselves in the sixth tier, National League North. They are currently in second place in the table, 9 points behind leaders Tamworth.
Scunthorpe's stadium is pretty recent, built in 1988 in the industrial unit style. It has a capacity of 9088 and could be described as compact, it has a range of facilities, its not luxurious but perfectly functional. It is located in a retail park so if you fancy a little shopping before or after the game you have everything from a supermarket to Kwik Fit to choose from!
As a first time home supporter I was a little confused about which turnstile I should use as there is either no signage or the names of the stands have been recently changed but the stewards were helpful and once in it was easy to find my seat.
The fans seemed amiable and as the seats are pretty close to the pitch you get a good view of the action despite the fact that there are steel roof supports which do obscure some of the pitch.
The pitch is pretty good, maintained well and a good surface for football although it does have one wet corner where a number of players slipped.
The Scunthorpe squad has a good mix of players with Football League experience, some who have spent time in the USA or Spain with highlights being Jacob Butterfield a midfielder, ex Barnsley with Championship experience and Callum Roberts a winger signed from Aberdeen.
The opposition Curzon Ashton are a north Manchester team sitting 7th in the table most of their players 's experience is in the fifth tier with highlights being ex Scunthorpe player Harry Jessop as striker and Will Hayhurst a winger who had 50 appearances for Preston North End.
The atmosphere was pretty good even though the stadium was only a third full, it was a good crowd for this level of football, we had a range of songs and a drummer to keep everyone boisterous and we started the match full of optimism.
I always like to keep the football crazy members of my family around the country up to date with the action through live texting and here is a description of the match from those texts:
Well here we are, kick off at Glanford Park
The 78 Curzon Ashton supporters huddling together, needing the mutual support, a crowd of 3519, a good pitch, no sun but mild at 10 degrees, a great afternoon for football
Curzon playing in a fetching shade of pink
Scunthorpe of course in West Ham colours, they are nicknamed Iron like the Hammers
Scunthorpe all over Curzon, loads of shots, corners, free kicks then Curzon get their first corner and score. Not going to script this one
Scunthorpe going close, hit the post now
Half time report.
We have Scunthorpe playing football, playing out from the back, making runs, looking for each other, looking like a side a league above - except for set piece defending. They have some tidy players, some really big ones at the back, nippy and skilful on the flanks but Curzon are very well organised even if they struggle to get the ball. Second half will be interesting
Second half.
Curzon are on for a Bafta, some excellent acting going on!
Hayhurst their ex league player is having some unfriendly banter with the crowd, he looks easily wound up!
Comedy moment as the assistant referee falls backwards into the pitchside sand trap, a novel feature of the ground
Curzon now playing some football, (it lasted literally minutes) when they aren't time-wasting!!
Curzon enjoying their role as villains now, some cynical play to go with the acting
Scunthorpe just can't get it in the net, last few minutes
Keeper is up for a corner...
Final whistle, 0-1
So my reflections on the experience. It was a good match, very competitive, Scunthorpe look a good side, they work hard, they like to attack but unfortunately I didn't bring them the luck they needed to win the match.
After the final whistle there was some booing by the home supporters but I think it must have been for the ref who didn't award any of the good penalty shouts, the Curzon supporters were also giving him a bit of stick, poor bloke!
The football was very physical, almost like rugby in the boxes at set pieces, but it was good to watch and apart from the result I enjoyed the afternoon.
If you are up this way try and get to see Scunthorpe play, it is well worth the £14 it
costs for a seat.
Big thank you to Steve Boatright for sharing his day out at Scunthorpe United and we look forward to his next adventure in Lincolnshire!