‘Bright new future’ for Scunthorpe United as its ground is acquired
Glanford Park football ground has been bought by a not-for-profit company, securing the home of Scunthorpe United.
As part of the deal, 100 jobs are expected to be created from developments around the ground along with up to 150 homes for older residents and people with complex needs on an area which already has outline planning permission.
Earlier in November, the club confirmed contracts have been exchanged with its former owner Peter Swann for the purchase of Glanford Park.
Former board member and local businesswoman Michelle Harness took over the National League North side in October after David Hilton, who had bought the club from Swann in January, withdrew all funding.
Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe and vice chair of the Town’s Fund Board, said: “This deal represents a bright new future for club, for the community and for our town – it has been backed by Government cash.
“Securing the ground as Scunthorpe United’s home will be a welcome relief to fans who now know the team will always be able to play at Glanford Park.
“We’ve had meetings with the club and with Government to get the right deal in place to make sure the community is a key part of developing a new sustainable future. Glanford Park not being in the hands of any one single person was critical to securing that new future.”
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Government has provided a lot of cash to back communities across North Lincolnshire in recent years and today marks another such occasion.
“The ground is in the right hands to create a new future for the club and the revenue generated will ensure a good deal for taxpayers and that more money can be reinvested back into the ground and the host of community activities for young people and families.
“The new jobs that will be created and the new homes for older people – which is more than a third of the population here, are key parts of building a brighter future.”
Harness added: “Wanting to bring Glanford Park back to Scunthorpe United supporters and the community was the reason I stood up in the first place, along with the Board of Directors.
“To all of us, it’s why we’ve been working hard every day and every night. Going forward, we need to continue to tackle the extreme levels of debt that were left with the club when we took over as custodians.
“Donations from local businesses and people around the town have been totally humbling, and it shows how desperate everyone in the area has been to keep their beloved football club going.
“All the additional money we’ve been able to get in is helping to pay off our debt and get us one step closer to being more sustainable as a football club, which we are striving to do every day.”
