Scunthorpe United face civil trial in Glanford Park stadium dispute

Scunthorpe United’s campaign for promotion back into the National League  will be fought alongside a legal battle for its right to keep playing at Glanford Park stadium.

At a directions hearing at Leeds Combined Courts today, District Judge Christopher Royle set the dispute over Glanford Park between landowner and former Scunthorpe United chairman Peter Swann, through his company Coolsilk Property and Investment, and the club and new owner David Hilton, for a three-day county court trial between January and March next year.

Scunthorpe, currently sitting at the top of the National League North after six games, need to keep that spot to guarantee promotion.

If Coolsilk’s claim for possession of the ground is successful, it could leave the Iron homeless at a critical stage of the season.

At issue are the validity of tenancy and subtenancy agreements for Glanford Park.

Hilton, who took over the Iron in January,  has previously said a new stadium and training facilities for the club are planned, but the club intends to remain at Glanford Park until it is completed in two years.

District Judge Royle recommended the trial should be run by a circuit judge specialising in business and property cases.