Club Overview
Full Name: Scunthorpe United Football Club
Nickname: The Iron
Founded: 1899
League: National League
Ground: Attis Arena (Glanford Park)
Location: Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
Colours: Claret & Blue
Scunthorpe United are one of the biggest clubs currently competing in the National League. Founded in 1899, The Iron spent over 70 years in the Football League and enjoyed memorable spells in the Championship during the late 2000s. Following a dramatic decline that saw the club drop into non-league football, Scunthorpe have rebuilt strongly and remain one of the best-supported clubs outside the EFL.
Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Nickname | The Iron |
| Ground | Attis Arena (Glanford Park) |
| Capacity | 9,088 |
| Opened | 1988 |
| Postcode | DN15 8TD |
| League | National League |
| Club Colours | Claret & Blue |
| Record Attendance | 23,935 |
Scunthorpe became the first Football League club to move into a purpose-built new stadium when Glanford Park opened in 1988.
Stadium Guide
Attis Arena (Glanford Park)
Ground Information
- Capacity: 9,088
- Opened: 1988
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Address: Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8TD
- First purpose-built Football League stadium of the modern era
Glanford Park revolutionised lower-league football when it opened in 1988. The stadium sits just outside the town centre and remains one of the most recognisable grounds in Lincolnshire football.
Record Attendance
9,077 vs Manchester United
League Cup Second Round
22 September 2010
Stadium Highlights
- Britcon Stand
- Clugston Stand
- Doncaster Road End
- Hospitality suites
- Excellent parking facilities
The stadium’s location beside major road links makes it one of the easiest grounds in the National League to access.
Club History
Scunthorpe United were founded in 1899 and joined the Football League in 1950 after years of success in the Midland League.
The club spent much of its Football League history in the third and fourth tiers but enjoyed its most successful period during the 2000s. Under manager Brian Laws, Scunthorpe won promotion to the Championship in 2007 for the first time in club history. The achievement was repeated in 2009 under Nigel Adkins, who later went on to manage Southampton in the Premier League.
The Iron became known for developing talented players, with stars such as Kevin Keegan, Billy Sharp, Ian Botham and Gary Hooper all spending time at the club.
Following relegation from League Two in 2022, Scunthorpe suffered a further drop into National League North in 2023, ending 73 consecutive years in the Football League and top-tier non-league football. However, strong attendances and significant supporter backing helped the club recover, eventually earning a return to the National League.
Today, Scunthorpe remain one of the largest clubs in non-league football and continue to target a return to the EFL.
Honours
League Honours
- League One Champions (2006/07)
- League Two Play-Off Winners (2009)
- League Two Runners-Up (1998/99)
- National League North Play-Off Winners
Regional Honours
- Midland League Champions
- Lincolnshire Senior Cup Winners (multiple times)
The 2007 League One title remains the greatest achievement in the club’s history.
Club Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Ground Capacity | 9,088 |
| Record Attendance | 23,935 |
| Highest League Position | Championship |
| Football League Membership | 1950–2022 |
| Stadium Opened | 1988 |
Famous Players
- Kevin Keegan
- Billy Sharp
- Gary Hooper
- Ian Botham
- Michael Carrick
- Cliff Byrne
Kevin Keegan’s spell at Scunthorpe remains one of the most famous chapters in the club’s history, helping establish The Iron as a club capable of nurturing elite talent.
Rivalries
Main Rivals
- Grimsby Town
- Lincoln City
- Doncaster Rovers
- Hull City
The rivalry with Grimsby Town is one of the fiercest in Lincolnshire football and regularly attracts large crowds and intense atmospheres.
Matchday Guide
Getting There
By Train
- Scunthorpe Railway Station is approximately 25 minutes’ walk from the stadium.
By Car
- Direct access from the M180.
- Large on-site and surrounding parking facilities.
Food & Drink
- Executive lounges
- Matchday kiosks
- Club bar facilities
- Retail store
Nearby Attractions
- North Lincolnshire Museum
- Normanby Hall Country Park
- The Pods Sports Centre
- Humber Estuary
The excellent road network makes Scunthorpe one of the most accessible away days in the National League.
What Makes Scunthorpe United Special?
Football League Heritage
Few National League clubs can match Scunthorpe’s long history in the Football League and Championship.
The First Modern Stadium
Glanford Park changed the landscape of lower-league football when it opened in 1988 and became a blueprint for many stadium developments that followed.
Passionate Support
Despite difficult years, Scunthorpe supporters continued to back the club in large numbers, helping preserve one of Lincolnshire’s most important football institutions.