Profiles of the management team at Glanford Park.

MANAGER - NIGEL ADKINS
Following Brian Laws' departure to Sheffield Wednesday, Nigel Adkins was appointed as full-time Scunthorpe United manager on December 7, 2006.

That came after a decent spell as caretaker boss, in which United won three, drew two and lost just one out of six.

Nigel Adkins had been first team physio since 1996, and he is a vital member of the Glanford Park coaching set-up.

Formerly a goalkeeper, he played for England Schoolboys before going on to make 86 appearances over four seasons with Tranmere. Just a few days short of his 18th birthday he was in the Rovers side when United visited Prenton Park on March 5, 1983 but received no presents from the Iron who won 4-0.

After a spell at Wigan he then spent three years as player-manager of Bangor, guiding them to two League of Wales titles which brought them a brief taste of UEFA Cup football.

He is much respected in the game, and was touted as one of the managers of the season after leading his side to the League One title.

Despite putting up one heck of a fight, Scunthorpe were relegated from the Championship after one season.

Nevertheless, the club regrouped and Adkins guided them to promotion from League One again the following season - this time via the play-offs, courtesy of a 3-2 win over Millwall at Wembley Stadium.

A thrilling campaign full of entertainment also saw the club reach the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

The key ambition now is to survive in the Championship and continue to aim high.

ASSISTANT MANAGER - ANDY CROSBY
Player/assistant manager Andy Crosby is now part of the furniture at Glanford Park.

A key part of three of the Iron's most recent promotion teams, 'Crozzer' was arguably Brian Laws' most important signing during the summer of 2004. Andy was brought in to plug a defence that conceded 73 goals the previous season.

And how that signing worked as United only conceded 42 goals that year and changed from one of the worst defences in the league to the actual best the season after.

He played a huge role in the club's 2006-07 League One title-winning success, forming a superb partnership with Steve Foster at the heart of the back four.

Crosby then enjoyed his first season at Championship level the year after, finishing third in the Actim Index chart of the Iron's star performers.

A knee problem had kept him out for the majority of the following year, but he returned to play a huge part towards the end as Scunthorpe won promotion via the play-offs.

Crosby began his career as a Leeds junior but never got a look-in at Elland Road.

He joined Rotherham in the early 1990's, getting the first team football he craved and quickly becoming known as one of the best defenders in the lower leagues.

Crosby since had spells at local rivals Doncaster, as well as Darlington, Brighton, and Oxford where he continued to make his name and became known as a leader.

He signed for United in May 2004.

FIRST TEAM COACH - IAN BARACLOUGH
Player/coach Ian Baraclough reached two milestones towards the end of the 2007-08, closing in on 150 Scunthorpe appearances and making a 600th career league appearance.

He originally joined United in March 2004, playing an active role in central midfield for three seasons - two of which saw his team win promotion from League's Two and One respectively.

Two seasons ago, in the Championship, he performed in his familiar midfield position, as well as at centre-back and left-back when required.

He didn't appear in 2008-09, focusing more on his coaching duties.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST - ALEX DALTON
Alex took over from Nigel Adkins as the club's full-time physiopherapist following the depature of former boss Brian Laws in November 2006.

He has since proved an invaluable member of the backroom staff at Glanford Park.

GOALKEEPING COACH - KEVIN PRESSMAN
The Iron appointed Kevin Pressman as full time goalkeeping coach in the summer of 2007.

Pressman is well known to United fans having had a long Premiership career with Sheffield Wednesday.

He also had spells with Stoke, West Brom, Leicester, Leeds, Coventry and Mansfield making over 500 appearances.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - TONY DAWS
Tony Daws replaced Paul Wilson as United's Youth Development Officer.

Tony started his professional career at Notts County in 1986 as a centre forward. Since turning pro he has played for Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United (1987-1993), Grimsby Town and Lincoln City and has a wealth of knowledge of football within our region.

After his retirement from the professional game in 1996 he joined Sheffield United as a part time Youth Development Officer and in 2000 became their Assistant Academy and U19 Coach. In 2004 Tony took up the position as Youth Development Officer for Sheffield Wednesday.

"I am delighted to return to Scunthorpe United, where I had six fantastic years as a professional. I feel like I am returning home and want to be a part of this ambitious Club moving forward," said Daws.

Club chairman Steve Wharton commented: "We are very fortunate to be able to replace quality with quality. We had that in Paul Wilson and I know that Tony Daws will build on what Paul has achieved and take us on to new levels of excellence."

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 9-16 SCHOOLBOY CO-ORDINATOR - RICHARD BARKER
Richard Barker replaced Guy Parkin as the club's new Centre of Excellence 9-16 Schoolboy Co-ordinator.

Youth development officer Tony Daws said: "I am delighted that we have appointed Richie in the role of Centre of Excellence 9-16 Schoolboy Co-ordinator and i am sure that he will assist me in developing the programme and the players in years to come."

The 34-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday striker retired from playing professional football in the summer due to a knee injury, ending a 16-year playing career.

Barker, who has previously coached at Sheffield United's Academy, played for the Owls, Doncaster, Ards, Linfield, Brighton, Macclesfield, Rotherham, Mansfield and Rotherham, making 477 appearances and scoring 123 goals.