Scunthorpe United has announced plans for a new stadium as it faces up to life as a National League North football club following back-to-back relegations.
Scunthorpe, which played in the Championship as recently as the 2010-11 season, lost its place in the English Football League (EFL) following relegation from League Two in 2021-22 and this season has suffered further demotion, this time from the National League.
The North Lincolnshire club has endured frustration in recent years in efforts to either develop a new stadium or renovate its existing home, Glanford Park. However, a Fans’ Forum has now seen new owner David Hilton declare a new stadium will be erected and hopefully completed in time for the start of the 2025-26 season.
Subject to relevant planning consents, the stadium will be located at one of two recently acquired sites in the town centre. Scunthorpe said in a statement: “Civil contractors, stadium construction experts, architects and various surveyors have all been instructed and a comprehensive ground testing survey has already been provided to the relevant parties.
“He (Hilton) confirmed that North Lincolnshire Council are extremely supportive of the potential development and are working closely with the club to ensure things happen quickly. Enabling development, potentially retail, will be key to the application to help fund the new stadium and it was explained that this was the reason for acquiring both sites.
“The government levelling up fund is also to be discussed and many more options that are not open to a Glanford Park modernisation. Mr Hilton has also confirmed that the amount of personally allocated funds will obviously rise significantly. Long term he feels the move is in the best interests of the club and supporters.”
Hilton completed his takeover of the club in January, replacing former owner Peter Swann as chairman. Glanford Park has been the home of the football club since it opened in 1988. The Fans’ Forum was also told that efforts to acquire Glanford Park from Swann had “stalled” as the two parties “were no longer on speaking terms”.
In February, Scunthorpe launched a new Lifetime 1899 Membership scheme, which was intended to give fans the chance to hold a share in Glanford Park. The membership is a one-off lifetime package limited to 1899 members and was available to purchase directly from the club. Each member was to be allocated one share in the company which owns the stadium.
Scunthorpe has said the “unfortunate scenario” has left “some uncertainty” surrounding the Club 1899 membership. Hilton confirmed that he would certainly implement measures in new facilities to ensure members have protection over the club.
Scunthorpe added: “They will continue to receive all benefits apart from an 1899 lounge. This is due to the cost of creating such a facility with only five current members wanting tickets in this area. These five members will be offered executive lounge access and all members who do not request a refund will be entitled to a share in the football club which are not currently available.”
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