Scunthorpe United give supporters two reasons to celebrate in one day

What a landmark day for the fans of beleaguered Scunthorpe United.

The Lincolnshire club who were on the verge of going out of existence with an HMRC winding-up order hanging over them along with the news from earlier in the week of an interested consortium pulling out of a potential takeover, things were looking very bleak, adding to the fact they were sitting rock bottom of the National League and without an away win for 25 months the trip to Halifax Town on Wednesday evening could not have filled the supporters with any optimism.

[Recent protest at Glandford Park]

But whilst the team bus was en route to The Shay news broke that the club had been taken over by former Ilkeston Town owner David Hilton and that he had been appointed as the new chairman and owner of Scunthorpe United with immediate effect.

Buoyed by the good news, the Iron promptly went and won 1-0 to give them their first victory on the road since 26 December 2021.

[Iron supporters celebrate away victory]

The victory moved the Lincolnshire side, who were relegated from the EFL after 72 years last season, off the foot of the table and to within five points of safety.

New owner David Hilton said in a statement on the club's website:

"The first job I've got to do over the next 48 hours is settle the winding-up petition with the HMRC, which will help us get out of the transfer embargo we're under, so we can bring some bodies in and strengthen the squad.

"Any remaining debts will be eradicated in due course and we'll be looking to put the football club on a sustainable model as quickly as possible while remaining competitive in whichever division we're in.

"I can also add, if there is to be any development in and around Glanford Park, it will be purely for the benefit of the football club and to help it move forward, not for personal gain.

[David Hilton]

"It's all been done very quickly, so there's a lot I need to digest but I fully intend to interact with supporters. I just need a little bit of time for the dust to settle so I can understand the business fully.

"I would like to thank everybody for the support that's been shown to me since the news started to come out, and I'm proud to be your chairman. I will give my all to help get this club back where it belongs."

David Hilton's takeover of the club has ended Peter Swann's 10-year spell as owner of the Glanford Park side.

[Peter Swann]

Swann had been looking to sell the club for some time and anger at his ownership saw some fans invade the pitch during the home defeat by Woking earlier this month.

Former Hartlepool and Barnet defender Nelson has won two and drawn one of his eight games in charge and is hopeful he has done enough to get the job permanently.

"I haven't spoken to anyone yet. I was solely focused on the football side of it,"

[what it meant to Michael Nelson and staff after the final whistle]

"I think I have developed the team and the group as individuals. Yes, I would like the job permanently but it is not my decision at the end of the day."

Victory at home to Bromley on Saturday would help further Nelson's cause and also give Scunthorpe successive league wins for the first time in almost two years.

We wish Scunthorpe United and their supporters all the best and hope for a stable future ahead!