Scunthorpe United chair receives death threats over collapsed investment deal

The chair of Scunthorpe United says she has received death threats over a mooted deal to accept investment from a company which says it wants to “democratise football club ownership”.

Rumours were swirling around social media all weekend that FC100,000 was about to invest in The Iron – prompting a huge backlash from supporters and one club sponsor threatening to walk away if the deal went ahead.

Will Brooks, who was behind the failed MyFootballClub business, launched FC100000, with the aim of attracting cash from 100,000 fans, who would collectively own and manage an English football club.

It’s promotional material says: “The core vision of FC100,000 is to democratise football club ownership, shifting control from traditional proprietors to the fans themselves. This model ensures that decisions are made with the supporters’ best interests at heart, fostering a deeper connection between the club and its community.”

After a Monday morning of frantic speculation from Scunthorpe United fans on social media, Michelle Harness, chair of the club issued an official statement.

It said: “On behalf of Scunthorpe United Football Club and my fellow board members, I would like to address some of the rumours, assumptions and mistruths that have circulated on social media over the past two days regarding our potential collaboration with the FC100,000 project.

“While I understand that this speculation has caused some concern amongst our fans, I want to reassure you all above anything that as custodians of our beloved club, after everything we have been through together, there is no way that this group of owners will ever put the future of Scunthorpe United Football Club at risk.”

“We know that your trust is earned, and I believe that over the last eighteen months we have earned it. Myself, Roj, Ian and George remain 100 per cent committed and united in our quest to create a sustainable future for this football club.

“As part of that commitment, we have made no secret that we are open to investment from a potential fifth owner and see it as our responsibility to explore all possible options. When we were approached by the founders of FC100,000 we were unanimously impressed with many elements of their proposal and were open to the idea.”

Harness described the plans to create a membership scheme that creates “significant” ongoing monthly revenue, while giving fans direct access to the club and a voice on certain decisions, could have been a “game-changer” for the club.

She added: “However, at no point would any potential agreement have relinquished significant control of the club to a third party, and the board were very clear that there could be no risk to the future financial stability of the club.

“Since FC100,000 made their own announcement yesterday it has been widely reported that Scunthorpe United was the club potentially involved, and our fans have understandably voiced their concerns. We have listened to those concerns, we share a number of them, and we have unanimously decided to end our interest in this project.

“On a personal note, I feel genuinely disappointed by the suggestion that this group of owners, who continue to work so hard and give so much to the club, would do anything to jeopardise its future. For us, for our families, and for our staff members to receive personal abuse – including death threats – is absolutely deplorable.

“We do know that this abuse comes from a minority, and we are looking forward to having our fans back together for another huge game at the Attis Arena this weekend, on the back of such a special, record-breaking occasion against Chester on Saturday.

“Together, we need to continue to focus on supporting Andy and his team, who have got us into a wonderful position to hopefully gain promotion back to the National League.”

Harness, a local entrepreneur, took control of the club when controversial former owner David Hilton effectively walked out of the club in October 2023, saying he was withdrawing all funding.

The Iron currently sit top of the National League North – and are favourites to win promotion back to the National League.