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I’m struggling to understand some of the outrage around the club’s fundraising initiatives.
The reality is that Scunthorpe United are still rebuilding after one of the most turbulent and damaging periods in the club’s history. We nearly lost the club altogether. We dropped out of the Football League, ownership issues dragged on for years, revenues collapsed, and a huge amount of trust had to be rebuilt with supporters, sponsors and the wider community. None of that disappears overnight simply because we’ve had a promotion and things are looking more positive on the pitch.
Unlike some clubs at this level, we don’t have a millionaire benefactor writing cheques every month to cover the losses. Football clubs outside the EFL are notoriously difficult to run at a profit, and even clubs attracting crowds like ours still face significant financial pressures. Matchday income alone rarely covers the full cost of running a football club, especially one with our infrastructure, staffing requirements and ambitions. Previous statements from the club have made it clear that football revenues alone don’t necessarily bridge the gap between income and expenditure.
I actually see the fundraising efforts as a positive sign rather than a negative one. At least the club are being proactive. The alternative is either cutting budgets, reducing investment in the playing side, scaling back operations, or relying on a single individual to bankroll everything. We’ve all seen where that can lead when circumstances change.
Nobody is forcing supporters to take part. If a particular initiative isn’t for you, don’t contribute. But there are plenty of fans who want to put a little extra into the club and feel involved in helping it progress. That’s been part of football culture for decades. Supporters buy lottery tickets, attend fundraising events, sponsor players, purchase merchandise and donate to club causes because they want to contribute something beyond the price of a season ticket.
The bigger picture for me is this: where do we want the club to be in three to five years? If we want to establish ourselves in the National League, challenge towards the top end of the division and eventually push for a return to the EFL, that requires investment. Every additional revenue stream helps. Every sponsorship deal helps. Every fundraising initiative helps. No single scheme is going to transform the club’s finances, but collectively they can make a meaningful difference.
Of course, supporters are entitled to ask questions about where money is going and how fundraising fits into the wider strategy. Transparency is important. But I don’t think the answer is to criticise every attempt to generate additional income.
For years we complained about poor ownership, lack of planning and financial instability. Now we have a club actively trying to create revenue streams and improve its position. That seems like something worth supporting rather than attacking.
I’d be far more worried if the club *wasn’t* looking for ways to strengthen its finances.
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This may be sufficient to sustain us in the NL if enough fans accept that promotion isn’t a realistic ambition in the short to medium term. The fans’ response will determine whether or
not we can maintain average attendances of 4k+. Personally, I very much doubt it. (Hope I’m wrong).If we are to return to the EFL, this kind of approach to maximising revenue needs to run alongside a longer term plan to secure the additional level of investment required. That will have to be in the form of an additional Director or new owner with deeper pockets.
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The real challenge is growing commercial revenue, attracting investment, increasing sponsorship and making the club financially self-sufficient. Fundraising has its place, but long-term success comes from building a club that can stand on its own two feet.
Survival was the first objective. Thriving has to be the next one.
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Thank you SODIron. At last a person with some brain cells to put a sensible response together
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“I’m struggling to understand some of the outrage”
I wouldn’t call it outrage, it’s more annoying than anything. I get that gathering sponsors is a way for the club to increase funds, but every other day they are seeking sponsors.
It’s getting a little silly and repetitive now.
We’ll be collecting the rain water on the pitch this coming season and sell it off in shot glassess next.
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It’s desperate if you’re looking for it to be desperate. I suspect most non Iron fans, companies and potential investors couldn’t care less about it. If you want a bigger stake in how the club portrays itself, find some money and stick it in.
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Got to laugh the club only want to take on another sales executive to sell yet more sponsorship deals.
And there was me thinking we had no money (well from what most posters tell us on here) seems we’ve loadsa money to bring in non playing staff.2 users thanked author for this post.
Stupid post,the club needs the capacity to sell itself and process the sales .For that you need sales staff.You seem to want your entertainment for free while not wanting the club to bring in other revenue .
Are you a bit thick?1 user thanked author for this post.
Got to laugh the club only want to take on another sales executive to sell yet more sponsorship deals.
And there was me thinking we had no money (well from what most posters tell us on here) seems we’ve loadsa money to bring in non playing staff.Having just seen the ad for a club sales EXC i was thinking similarly AWG .. for a business that is so skint it needs constant outside fundraising and with failure or success solely based on performances on the pitch is it absolutely necessary for extra non playing staff …lets get the squad sorted first
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If a business wants to be a club sponsor in any way it’s good for the club. I don’t understand why anyone wants to criticise different ways of creating sponsorship. Surely the sponsors feel there is a benefit to them and the club. No one is forced to sponsor.
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