[Apollo11]

MK Iron wrote:

A mistake yes but we all make those. Only my view but forgivable if the intention is good.

Infantino type mistakes where financial gain for oneself and ones cronies is a perfect example of the unforgivable type.

Sorry, this is wrong, in my opinion.

Human error is one thing, it’s acceptable. However, if a mistake is committed by an individual or individuals in the name of a union-style organisation, then accountability is extremely important – crucial – to the ongoing credibility of the organisation.

Although the mistake may be understandable at a human level (heat of the moment, shock, grief etc) and the organisation itself could be ‘forgiven’, that accountability means that the individual(s) making the mistake should consider their position(s).

It was a serious error of judgement to act unilaterally, and continuing with those that made it undermines the organisation.

That’s my politics on this, and I’ve yet to hear anyone else (let alone the Trust itself) say anything that could persuade me otherwise.

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MK Iron wrote:

Are you guys being a bit harsh.

They probably did the wrong thing (certainly it’s not worked out) but I suspect they did it with the best of intentions.

They might communicate with the membership to gauge support levels before they go out on a limb next time.

A bit of a fundamental mistake to make in a union-type representative body, one which seriously undermines credibility.

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64 wrote:

It’s worrying to seem backed into a corner here ,I don’t see how they get out of this mess.

They hand all responsibility / blame over to a steering committee and then eventually behave like it never happened. Methodwise, akin to the Hilton cheerleaders brazenly moving on from their complicity with zero accountability.

[Apollo11]

1-1, James Gale to score a late equaliser.

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PhilAnders wrote:

Now a bottled fart that you could light ( if only for a second or two) would be a real winner! I’ll take half a dozen Dec Howe originals please!

“We’d like to remind supporters that throwing uncorked bottled farts onto the pitch may result in serious sanctions against the club including fines and possibly even points deductions”

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Northumbiron wrote:

Got a fair few from the OSG days Apollo. Very much in the gathering dust category (likewise around a dozen shirts that Mrs NI gives me grief about!).

Am away at the moment but I’ll have a shuftie when I get back.

Great stuff, thanks!

[Apollo11]

Awaywego wrote:

Got 6/7 from each season 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/20 if you’ve any missing list them and I’ll let you have them. Bedlington terriers in the fa cup is one of them.

Great! Thanks AWG. I can’t get to the box for 1999/2000 at the moment, but this is what I’m looking for in the other seasons you mention (which happen to be kept together in a box that happens to be easily accessible). There are also loads of AWAY that I’ll eventually be looking for, but right now just trying to assemble HOME sets…

For some reason I only bought the programme occasionally in the mid-to-late 1990s. I’m shrugging my shoulders as I type…

1996 / 97

28 Dec 1996 Scunthorpe United v Wigan Athletic D3
28 Jan 1997 Scunthorpe United v Notts County Auto Windscreens Shield
18 Feb 1997 Scunthorpe United v Chester City D3
22 Feb 1997 Scunthorpe United v Colchester United D3

1997 / 98

13 Sep 1997 Scunthorpe United v Doncaster Rovers D3
24 Jan 1998 Scunthorpe United v Swansea City D3
27 Jan 1998 Scunthorpe United v Grimsby Town Auto Windscreens Shield
25 Apr 1998 Scunthorpe United v Exeter City D3

1998 / 99

15 Aug 1998 Scunthorpe United v Carlisle United D3
25 Aug 1998 Scunthorpe United v Blackpool League Cup
29 Aug 1998 Scunthorpe United v Plymouth Argyle D3
08 Sep 1998 Scunthorpe United v Cambridge United D3
19 Sep 1998 Scunthorpe United v Mansfield Town D3
24 Oct 1998 Scunthorpe United v Rotherham United D3
07 Nov 1998 Scunthorpe United v Chester City D3
21 Nov 1998 Scunthorpe United v Hull City D3
05 Dec 1998 Scunthorpe United v Bedlington Terriers FA Cup
12 Dec 1998 Scunthorpe United v Cardiff City D3
26 Dec 1998 Scunthorpe United v Hartlepool United D3
19 Jan 1999 Scunthorpe United v Carlisle United Auto Windscreens Shield
30 Jan 1999 Scunthorpe United v Scarborough D3
20 Mar 1999 Scunthorpe United v Leyton Orient D3
23 Mar 1999 Scunthorpe United v Swansea City D3
13 Apr 1999 Scunthorpe United v Peterborough United D3
24 Apr 1999 Scunthorpe United v Barnet D3
08 May 1999 Scunthorpe United v Darlington D3
19 May 1999 Scunthorpe United v Swansea City D3 Play-Offs

[Apollo11]

ironfromafar wrote:

Bigger squad thus too many options of who to start , bench and drop totally and also which system to play .. may well be confusing Butlers decisions but i just hope he goes with the same 11 or as near as can be if any injuries and he doesnt line up negatively to try and nullify Carlisle.

Cant see us winning but a draw would not be a bad result… a nice entertaining 3-3 perhaps.

I agree – I’m beginning to think he’s overwhelmed by his options.

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He also had a terrific ‘edge of the area’ effort which curled only just wide of top left hand. Not seen an effort from goal from him in quite a while.

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PhilAnders wrote:

On the basis of don’t change a winning team, I wouldn’t if everyone is fit. Have reservations of Jones as a wing back, but if it works for the team, it works! I do like Gale and Parker up front. I hope Parker has something to prove against Carlisle tomorrow.

That’s not how Butler thinks though, is it? He seems most likely to think ‘horses for courses’ and so we end up with a changed team every match, based on his analysis of each opposition. Tinker here, tailored there.

Definitely with you on this, though – put out the same starting XI for a few and see what happens.

1 user thanked author for this post.

alcazar

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Awaywego wrote:

Why the change in statical review on the Owp gone from numerical bollocks that I couldn’t understand to now a descriptive review that I could.
Don’t get me wrong I hope they carry on that way, you don’t think someone’s had a word to not rely on numbers that don’t tell the truth on games.

Completely disagree. The latest report is basically a quick-read match overview. On the club’s X account they referred to it as a statistical analysis. It does not seem like that at all. The previous numerical bollocks was actually quite interesting – even if only from a ‘scratch your head in disbelief or lack of understanding’ point of view.

1 user thanked author for this post.

alcazar

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lesgeo wrote:

Denton has been below par, IMHO, for a while.
Thought he showed us just how sound he can be.

Late on in the game there was a sublime first time pass from Denton, high on the left wing to play in Gale or Beestin (can’t quite remember which). Outstanding thinking, very quick and precise.

1 user thanked author for this post.

alcazar

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Iron-awe wrote:

MK Iron wrote:

That centre forward he brought in who is not a centre forward does look very promising as a centre forward though.

I presume you mean Gale not Parker who also played very well, well Gale based on last night looks every inch a centre forward, won headers, held it up well, backed into his man with strength giving their centre backs problems all evening and just played the role really well IMO. Lots to work on but the work rate from the front two was very impressive, not meaning to diss Whitehall but he doesn’t play that way nearly enough and as a forward he should do but he’s nowhere near as physical as Gale based on that game last night.

A question worth asking, because the debate is interesting, is:

Is Danny Whitehall a step too high at this level, and did the presence of Callum Roberts cover the deficit?

Personally I like Danny, although as each season he’s been here has progressed I’ve got increasingly tired of his antics. There’s a really good footballer in there – he has shown that, relatively speaking, he can be as smart as Paul Hayes was.

I do think, though, that the more Gale and Parker turn it on, the clearer the writing on the wall might become.

[Apollo11]

As I’ve said before, the club is trying to find something to please everyone and appeal to all tastes / desires (therefore everyone becomes a potential customer, rather than a bystander). These football trading card things are popular, generally, aren’t they?

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MK Iron wrote:

Delighted with the win but we won’t be playing many teams as bad as Solihull were last night.

I thought it was quite an entertaining game, and you’re actually doing Solihull a disservice.

2 users thanked author for this post.

cassidystash, iron64

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MK Iron wrote:

Add WG to the list!

On a more serious note our chairperson seemed on good form. One of her best interviews. I agree with the comment regarding Ollie. He’s too good for his current gig as a commentator and an interviewer.

Better than many of the donkeys on Sky Sports and TNT. Not to mention Darzone.

I’ve said it before – I think he might be the best BBC RH has had, in terms of SUFC. He’s pleasant and friendly enough to get interesting results out of people, but he’s focused and persistent and doesn’t always pander or play the game like previous incumbents have.

1 user thanked author for this post.

MK Iron

[Apollo11]

WonderGoals wrote:

Harness seems to think the squad’s good enough, when in fact it’s awful. A few players going out and a few coming in by sounds of it.

It certainly needs a tweak!

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saleiron wrote:

It may be “small change” but it still needs to be accounted for. I also see that the club is still seeking to sell the remaining “pitch squares” as part of the “renovations and maintenance of the playing surface at the Attis Arena.”

Quite!

[Apollo11]

cassidystash wrote:

Apollo11 wrote:

Further on into the interview the third shirt for this season is mentioned. Michelle says it’s due to be launched next week, and is in support of someone local who is trying to do something (outside of the club). James Moody says it’s a collaboration with an individual that they’ve recently done a small collaboration with.

Gotta be PD surely!!

That’s a fair point! It could be!

[Apollo11]

saleiron wrote:

During the latest MH interview with Humberside, she said that the funding of the new pitch was from a PL grant with the shortfall met by a loan from one of the Directors.

I wonder what happened to the monies from the pitch fundraisers? I am not suggesting any shenanigans, but it seems odd not to mention it. It may be that this was just an omission on MH’s part (ie not referring to it), but it would be good to know.

You could presume that the amount raised was minimal relative to the cost, and is therefore considered small change, a bit of an irrelevance.

[Apollo11]

Further on into the interview the third shirt for this season is mentioned.

Michelle says it’s due to be launched next week, and is in support of someone local who is trying to do something (outside of the club).

James Moody says it’s a collaboration with an individual that they’ve recently done a small collaboration with.

My guess is that the shirt somehow relates to Will Parker, the local musician who filmed a video at GP.

[Apollo11]

An interesting comment during a discussion on the efforts of the board, which made me raise an eyebrow:

“We’ve got to make sure the fans stay behind us – which they will. It’s their club so why wouldn’t they?”

[Apollo11]

CMC wrote:

Not just our club but a lot of them want to stifle criticism

Seems to be a modern devil’s pact – club access in exchange for compliance from your podcast / fan group. It seems it is a badge of honour, these days, to be completely drunk on the Iron’s Kool Aid. There’s no doubt that a bit of player / behind the scenes access can be great, exciting etc – but get too close and the cost is that you are utterly castrated. As seen with the Hilton fiasco and certain people / organisations now almost denying complicity.

Funny how the two publications I mentioned in my previous post still had a bit of club access (there were a number of interviews with Brian Laws, and several with his players, for example) but were able to stay independent and at arm’s length. They appear to have been tolerated in their criticism or questioning, and almost all of the time. By the club, yes, but also by other fan groups (though there weren’t many back then).

That’s what is missing, these days.

[Apollo11]

saleiron wrote:

A further meeting took place on an unspecified date in July (assume w/c 13 July). Minutes went online on 20 July, but, again, it doesn’t look like the club highlighted these in the many posts on its “socials.” Three Directors attended. Some interesting comments from Directors about IFR compliance. Also, “…the Club is keen to listen to fan communications and build on feedback even though at times that there are always some regular negative commentators. However, the Club does thrive on positive feedback too, which is always appreciated.” Perhaps the “regular negative commentators” could be notified that their feedback is and will continue to be discarded and ignored? Pleasing to see feedback about kits and Iron Insider, and updates on fan group collaboration were discussed.

https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/NaN/invalid%20date/voice-of-the-fans-july-2026-club-meeting

Most of the report at this link seems fair enough, if occasionally cloaked in business bullsh*t language. However, the bit right at the end about “regular negative commentators” is glib and dismissive, suggesting the Board view those with opinions contrary to theirs with quite some prejudice.

[Apollo11]

alcazar wrote:

First season, his arrogance and stubbornness cost us the title.
Second season, again chucking points away, multiple substitutions, strange formations, square pegs in round holes, setting up to counter opposition, trying to sit on one goal leads, refusing to sign a decent GK, etc.
What has changed? What has he learned?
And if he’s not learning, time to go.
No place for stubborn arrogance at this level.

You’re discounting the possibility that there might now be a bad apple in amongst it all.

[Apollo11]

If he’s as good as HE thinks, he’ll get another job.

That’s not quite fair. Butler seems generally aware of the precarious nature of his position, and that losing this job would likely mean he’d have to go back to being a postman, or trying to find other employment of some kind. He said all this in a fairly recent interview with Ollie Turner.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Andy

[Apollo11]

Butler is unlikely to last the season, in my opinion, and I’d be mildly surprised if he’s still here at Christmas. Before they’ve even had time to work out where they are, the board is going to have a decision to make.

2 users thanked author for this post.

IronIronIron, alcazar

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Deereyme66 wrote:

Northumbiron wrote:

Yeah, don’t get the downer on Barrows.

PhilAnders wrote: “ Although we say that AB neither knows his best XI or best formation, I don’t think there is consensus on Bru either”.

Very good point. Which says a lot about the squad make up.

Not got a big downer on Barrows myself though I know some have. Just others I would start ahead of him.

He’s a solid squad player who gives 100% when called on. He’s also great to have around the place, a nice character – and I could actually see a time when he has a formal role as part of the coaching set-up. He runs a coaching school in Sheffield and didn’t he take quite a few sessions when Schofield was off with his poorly knee?

2 users thanked author for this post.

alcazar, TheJuryeffsOut

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Deereyme66 wrote:

L Jones
‘Barrows C Howe Evans Horton
Rose Butterfield Rowley
Gale Parker P Jones

Beestin to come on for the tiring Butterfield.
Howe to replace Gale or Parker, Brennan for Jones.’

I like this a lot, apart from Barrows.

Barrows was decent last night.

2 users thanked author for this post.

TheJuryeffsOut, Northumbiron

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MK Iron wrote:

Parker, Gayle or Howe offer more movement than Whitehall.

None of them have ever scored 20 goals in a season at National League level or as yet looked like doing it.

Whitehall has done it multiple times so when fit he will be and must be first choice.

However, according to an earlier post he has just gone a almost a third of a season without scoring at all in a fairly successful team. The clock is ticking. I would think he has half a dozen games to give some compelling evidence you he is still a 20 goal a season man. Without that he offers very little to the team in a key role given his lack of pace, movement and inability to hold up the ball.

Yes, it feels like it’s crunch time for Danny Whitehall.

[Author]

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