Fans of Scunthorpe United have suffered more than most in recent years having seen their club relegated from the Championship and League One in quick succession, an indignity that culminated in November with an FA Cup exit to non-league, local rivals Grimsby Town.
The defeat was the last straw for the Glanford Park board and, in spite of his previous heroics at the club, Brian Laws was shown the exit as manager; a disappointing end to his second spell in charge and in stark contrast to his first which saw Scunthorpe promoted from League Two.
However, since November, the Iron have undergone something of a renaissance under the watchful eye of former defender Russ Wilcox.
Wilcox, who ended his playing days with Scunthorpe in 2003 after making 109 appearances, was appointed caretaker manager following Laws’ departure and guided the club to four wins and a draw, a run of form that saw the team climb into the League Two promotion places and convinced chairman Peter Swann to hand him the job on a full-time basis.
Following his permanent appointment, Scunthorpe have gone on to win a further three matches and draw four to give Wilcox an impressive unbeaten start to his managerial career and send Scunthorpe top of the League Two table on 50 points, two clear of second-placed Chesterfield.
While the former Northampton Town, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers and Preston North End player remains philosophical about his team’s chances of promotion, Scunthorpe’s recent form has put them firmly in contention and has also received the backing of the board in terms of player investment, with Wilcox strengthening his squad during the January transfer window.
Paddy Madden, who won promotion to the Championship with Yeovil Town last season, and Gary McSheffrey, a player who was sold for £4m as recently as 2006, have arrived in North Lincolnshire in recent weeks to provide additional firepower and attacking flair.
Wilcox now has options across the pitch with players vying for all 11 starting places, a real change from a team that at the beginning of the season basically picked itself.
Scunthorpe’s January transfer activity has been described by Swann as a ‘statement of intent’ and comes on the back of the club’s announcement of plans for a new £18m, 12,000 capacity stadium, which it is hoped will be ready for the 2015/16 season.
An upturn in fortunes on the pitch under Wilcox, strategic investment in the playing squad and a vision for the future of the club are also helping to increase attendances on match days, which will play an important role in the Scunthorpe's promotion tilt between now and the end of the season.
Many clubs promoted form League Two find the transition to life in League One manageable, with some even achieving back-to-back promotions to the Championship, an ambition that would not be beyond the Iron who, with renewed vigour, are starting to look to the future with optimism.
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Photo courtesy: Steve H
