Scunthorpe United co-owner Michelle Harness recently sat down with BBC Radio Humberside for a candid, wide-ranging interview. From the “bitter pill” of the car park deal to the state of the playing surface and plans to clear the remaining debt, here are the 10 key takeaways for Iron fans.
1. The pitch is the board’s “biggest regret”
Harness was remarkably honest about the state of the Glanford Park surface, admitting the club failed to perform enough “due diligence” on the pitch at the start of the season. She confirmed ground staff will have to “nurse it” through the remainder of the campaign. Once the season concludes, the board has three options on the table: a full reconstruction, deep coring, or a complete re-seed.
2. The car park deal costs the club £65k a year
While regaining ownership of the stadium was a monumental victory, Harness detailed the financial sacrifice required to get it over the line. To secure the £2.5m deal with North Lincolnshire Council, the club had to release the main car park and training pitch. With the council recently listing the site for sale, Harness estimates the loss of matchday parking revenue will cost the club between £40,000 and £65,000 per year once the land is sold to developers.
3. Safety first: Concrete walls are going
Following serious injuries elsewhere in non-league football, player safety has become a priority. Harness revealed plans to replace the perimeter’s concrete walls with steel-framed boards during the close season. These new boards will feature a “spring” backing, ensuring players bounce off rather than suffering a serious impact upon collision.
4. The “Head of Recruitment” role is dead
Harness confirmed that the previously advertised Head of Recruitment role is currently “dead in the water,” as she doesn’t believe the club can justify a full-time salary for the position in the National League. However, she admitted that “if we move up,” the club may revisit the role in the future. For now, she is very happy with the scouting being done by Andy Butler and John Schofield and believes summer recruitment has been excellent.
5. Andy Butler agrees terms on two-year deal
Iron fans were provided a major boost with the news that manager Andy Butler is set to stay for the long haul. Terms have been agreed on a new two-year contract, which is currently with the League Managers Association (LMA) for final checks. Harness highlighted that once Butler officially puts pen to paper on the deal, current players are likely to want to follow suit.
6. Quibell Park move is a thing of the past
The club has officially ruled out moving to Quibell Park as a training base. Harness explained that the board was unwilling to spend money developing a site they didn’t own. The focus has shifted to creating a “community hub” on the land adjacent to the Attis Arena, with plans for a mix of grass and 4G pitches to serve both the first team and the town.
7. The Ollie Ewing “EFL” dilemma
Harness gave a frank update on midfielder Ollie Ewing, stating that a contract offer is on the table but the “ball is in Ollie’s court.” She acknowledged that Ewing, much like Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, has aspirations to play in the EFL. However, because he is under 24, the club would be entitled to a compensation tribunal fee should he leave at the end of his current deal.
8. Stability has replaced “survival” mode
For the first time in years, the financial messaging is about planning rather than staying afloat. Harness stated the club’s financial health is “better than it was at the beginning of the last two seasons.” This stability has allowed the board of four owners to have healthy, “open” debates about whether to stick with current budgets or invest extra funds to push for promotion.
9. A strategic shift to long-term assets
Using the example of new signing Connor Smith, Harness revealed a change in recruitment strategy. Rather than relying on short-term fixes or one-year contracts, the club is now targeting players on deals of two years or more. The goal is to build a core squad of assets that can grow with the club, rather than requiring a rebuild every summer.
10. Debt down to £150k and new “Costa land” plans
In arguably the most positive update regarding the club’s longevity, Harness confirmed that inherited debt is now hovering around the £100,000 to £150,000 mark. While the board is paying “little bits off,” priority remains on the playing squad. To help clear the balance, the club is looking to develop a strip of land they still own near the Costa outlet at the retail park, with plans for electric car chargers or commercial units to generate fresh revenue.
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