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From the earliest claret and blue through a 13-year all-red era and back again — the story of how The Iron's strip has evolved across three centuries of football.
Claret body, sky blue sleeves, chain graphic
White with diagonal red-maroon wave stripes
Dark charcoal with smoky marble swirl, gold accents
From coat of arms to the Unity badge
1947
Borough Coat of Arms
First recorded crest — Borough of Scunthorpe coat of arms with five chain links, wheat sheaves, Gryphaea fossils, and blast furnace.
1982
The Unity Badge
Designed by John Dewhurst on a sandwich wrapper. Chain links held in a gold fist above the word 'Unity'. Used 1982–1990, returned 2024.
1994
The Iron Fist
School competition winner — a fist clutching a steel girder. Described as 'Soviet Realist'. Divisive for 30 years until replaced in 2024.
2024
Unity Returns
Supporters voted to bring back the 1982 Unity badge for the 125th anniversary, complying with new FA regulations.
Scroll through 125+ years of The Iron's strip
Records are sparse. Brumby Hall FC merged with Frodingham United in 1899 to form the club. Early kits were likely dark-coloured shirts with white shorts, typical of the period.
The club was nicknamed 'The Knuts' — Rev Cryspin T Rust described them as 'tough nuts to crack' while presenting the Frodingham Charity Cup. 'The Iron' came later, honouring Scunthorpe's steel industry.
Click to expand · — The club was nicknamed 'The Knuts' — Rev Cryspin T Rust described them as 'tough nuts to crack' while presenting the Frodingham Charity Cup.
Following the 1910 merger with North Lindsey United, the club played in the Midland League from 1912. Kit details are limited but the club began establishing an identity.
Admitted to Midland League 1912. Incorporated as a limited company. Won Midland League championship 1927.
Click to expand · — Admitted to Midland League 1912.
Claret and blue shirts established as the club's colours during this period. Won the Midland League again in 1939.
First Lincolnshire Senior Cup win in 1938-39. The claret and blue identity was firmly rooted before the war.
Click to expand · — First Lincolnshire Senior Cup win in 1938-39.
Claret shirts with blue trim, white shorts. The first recorded club crest appeared in 1947-48 — the Borough of Scunthorpe coat of arms on a light blue patch, featuring five chain links (a wordplay on 'Lincs'), wheat sheaves, two Gryphaea fossil shells, and a blast furnace.
Football League expansion in 1949 saw Scunthorpe win elimination ballots for Division Three (North). Nearly 12,000 attended their first home league match.
Click to expand · — Football League expansion in 1949 saw Scunthorpe win elimination ballots for Division Three (North).
Traditional claret and blue shirts, white shorts. Clean, simple designs typical of 1950s football — no sponsors, no manufacturer logos, just the club crest.
Away: White shirts.
Worn during the club's golden era at The Old Show Ground — 23,935 v Portsmouth in the FA Cup (1954), Division Three North title (1958). Jack Brownsword's 597 appearances began in these colours.
Click to expand · — Worn during the club's golden era at The Old Show Ground — 23,935 v Portsmouth in the FA Cup (1954), Division Three North title (1958).
After winning the Division Three North title, the board deemed the traditional claret and blue 'decidedly old fashioned'. White shirts with blue shorts and gold trim were introduced for the 1959 season — a radical departure.
Away: Various.
The club nearly reached the First Division in 1962, finishing 4th — their highest-ever league position. Barrie Thomas scored 31 goals that season. Despite the kit change, claret and blue would return.
Click to expand · — The club nearly reached the First Division in 1962, finishing 4th — their highest-ever league position.
Claret and blue returned in various configurations as the club dropped through the divisions. Collared shirts with simple designs.
Away: White or yellow.
Relegated from Division Two in 1964, then to Division Four in 1968. A difficult period.
Click to expand · — Relegated from Division Two in 1964, then to Division Four in 1968.
A radical change — all-red kit introduced in 1969 to try to reverse the club's declining fortunes. Initially completely unadorned, lasting an extraordinary 13 seasons. A new crest featuring the preserved five chain links appeared in 1974 but disappeared after just one season.
Away: White.
Manufacturer: Admiral (1975-76), Bukta (1976-78), Adidas (1978-79), Hobott (1979-82)
Ray Clemence and Kevin Keegan both played in these red shirts before achieving greatness at Liverpool. The Bukta era brought a simple cypher badge, while Adidas strips featured a pedestrian horizontal crest. Steve Cammack arrived in 1979.
Click to expand · Admiral — Ray Clemence and Kevin Keegan both played in these red shirts before achieving greatness at Liverpool.
Facing re-election in 1982, the club made a symbolic return to claret and blue in eye-catching combinations. A landmark new crest featured chain links held in a 'gold fist above the word Unity' — designed by Bradford City historian John Dewhurst, who sketched it on a sandwich wrapper during a train journey in 1981.
Away: White with claret trim.
Manufacturer: Umbro (1982-83), Hobott (1983-87), Scoreline (1987-88)
The Unity badge would be used until 1990 and was voted back as the club crest in 2024. The last kits worn at The Old Show Ground before the move to Glanford Park in 1988.
Click to expand · Umbro — The Unity badge would be used until 1990 and was voted back as the club crest in 2024.
Claret and blue in evolving late-80s and early-90s styles — baggy fits, bold patterns. Glanford Borough Council's crest appeared on shirts as the stadium sponsor from 1990-94, recognising the council's role in funding the new ground.
Away: Various — white, yellow, green alternates.
Manufacturer: Ribero (1989-91), Alan Ward Sports (1991-94)
Sponsor: Glanford Borough Council (1990-94)
The first kits worn at the brand new Glanford Park. Council sponsorship ended with local government reorganisation in 1994.
Click to expand · Ribero — The first kits worn at the brand new Glanford Park.
A 1994-95 school competition produced a divisive new crest depicting a fist clutching a steel girder — described as 'Soviet Realist' in style. Claret shirts with blue trim in various Mizuno designs, followed by Super League.
Away: White or sky blue.
Manufacturer: Mizuno (1994-98), Super League (1998-2000)
Sponsor: Various
The controversial 'iron fist' crest divided opinion for 30 years. Alex Calvo-Garcia arrived in 1997 and the 1999 play-off victory at Wembley was achieved in these colours.
Click to expand · Mizuno — The controversial 'iron fist' crest divided opinion for 30 years.
Claret and blue through TFG Sports and Carlotti designs. Increasingly professional kit deals as the club climbed the leagues.
Away: White, occasionally sky blue.
Manufacturer: TFG Sports (2000-03), Carlotti (2003-05)
Brian Laws appointed 2004. Finished 2nd in League Two 2004-05 for automatic promotion to League One.
Click to expand · TFG Sports — Brian Laws appointed 2004.
Claret body with blue sleeves in various Carlotti designs. The kits of the club's most successful period in modern history.
Away: White with claret accents.
Manufacturer: Carlotti
Sponsor: Caparo, Stemcor
League One Champions 2006-07 (91 pts, Billy Sharp 30 goals). Wembley Play-Off Final 2009 — beat Millwall 3-2 in front of 59,661. Two promotions in three seasons.
Click to expand · Carlotti — League One Champions 2006-07 (91 pts, Billy Sharp 30 goals).
Carlotti supplied the initial 2009-10 kit before Nike took over mid-season (September 2009). Nike's clean, modern designs were worn throughout the club's Championship and League One years.
Away: White with claret accents.
Manufacturer: Carlotti (Aug 2009), Nike (Sep 2009–2013)
Sponsor: Stemcor
Record attendance 9,077 vs Manchester United in the League Cup (2010). Gary Hooper sold to Celtic for £2.5M. Relegated from Championship 2011, then from League One 2013.
Click to expand · Carlotti — Record attendance 9,077 vs Manchester United in the League Cup (2010).
Nike continued through the League Two promotion (2013-14), then Avec and Carbrini supplied kits as the club stabilised in League One.
Away: White, sky blue, and occasional bold alternates.
Manufacturer: Nike (2013-14), Avec (2014-15), Carbrini (2015-16)
Sponsor: Rainham Steel, Bradbury Group
Immediate bounce-back from League Two in 2014. FA Cup clash with Worcester City featured the longest penalty shootout in FA Cup history — 32 penalties.
Click to expand · Nike — Immediate bounce-back from League Two in 2014.
FBT-manufactured claret and blue kits. The British Steel logo appeared on shirts in 2016-17 following Greybull Capital's purchase of the local steelworks after Tata Steel's threatened withdrawal — preserving 4,800 jobs.
Away: White and various.
Manufacturer: FBT
Sponsor: British Steel (2016-17), Rainham Steel
Reached League One play-off semi-finals 2017. The British Steel sponsorship was deeply symbolic for the town. Relegated from League One 2019.
Click to expand · FBT — Reached League One play-off semi-finals 2017.
Macron-supplied claret and blue through a turbulent period — League Two struggles, COVID-19 (zero fans in 2020-21), and eventual relegation from the Football League in 2022.
Away: White and sky blue variants.
Manufacturer: Macron
Sponsor: Various
The 2020-21 season was played entirely behind closed doors. Relegated from League Two in 24th place, ending 72 years of Football League membership.
Click to expand · Macron — The 2020-21 season was played entirely behind closed doors.
Kelme-manufactured claret and blue maintained throughout the club's time in the National League and National League North — the colours never changed even at the lowest ebb.
Away: White variants.
Manufacturer: Kelme
For the 125th anniversary in 2024, supporters voted to replace the 30-year 'iron fist' crest with the 1982 Unity badge — the sandwich-wrapper sketch that had become a symbol of the club's identity.
Click to expand · Kelme — For the 125th anniversary in 2024, supporters voted to replace the 30-year 'iron fist' crest with the 1982 Unity badge — the sandwich-wrapper sketch that had become a symbol of the club's identity.
Claret body with sky blue sleeves and chain graphic detail — a modern Meyba design that nods to the classic 1960s sky blue sleeve design. The reintroduced Unity crest sits proudly on the chest.
Away: White base with bold diagonal red-maroon wave stripes, black collar and trim.
Third: Dark charcoal/black with smoky marble swirl graphic and gold accents — launched in a dramatic steelworks photoshoot with real steelworkers, sparks flying, celebrating Scunthorpe's industrial heritage.
Manufacturer: Meyba
Sponsor: Hitek Electronic Materials
The kits worn for the club's promotion from National League North. The third kit foundry shoot was one of the most striking kit launches in the club's history.
Click to expand · Meyba — The kits worn for the club's promotion from National League North.
Home, away and third kits from the last 20 years
2025-26
Meyba
HITEK Electronic Materials
Home
Claret body, sky blue sleeves, chain graphic
Away
White with diagonal red-maroon wave stripes
Third
Dark charcoal with smoky marble swirl, gold accents
2024-25
Kelme
HITEK Electronic Materials
125th anniversary — Unity badge voted back by supporters
Home
Claret and blue, Unity crest debut
Away
White with claret trim
Third
Sky blue
2023-24
Kelme
HITEK Electronic Materials
Home
Claret and blue traditional
Away
White
Third
2022-23
Kelme
HITEK Electronic Materials
First season in National League
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White with blue trim
Third
2021-22
Macron
Relegated from League Two — last Football League season
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2020-21
Macron
Entire season behind closed doors (COVID-19)
Home
Claret and blue
Away
Sky blue
Third
2019-20
Macron
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White with blue pinstripe
Third
2018-19
FBT
Rainham Steel
Relegated from League One
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2017-18
FBT
Rainham Steel
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White and black
Third
2016-17
FBT
British Steel
Play-off semi-finals
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White with claret pinstripes
Third
2015-16
Carbrini
Bradbury Group
Home
Claret and blue
Away
Sky blue
Third
2014-15
Avec
Rainham Steel
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2013-14
Nike
Rainham Steel
League Two runners-up, promoted
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2012-13
Nike
Stemcor
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White and sky blue
Third
2011-12
Nike
Stemcor
Home
Claret body, blue sleeves
Away
White with claret trim
Third
2010-11
Nike
Stemcor
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2009-10
Nike / Carlotti
Stemcor
Carlotti start, Nike takeover mid-season
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2008-09
Carlotti
Stemcor
Wembley Play-Off Final — beat Millwall 3-2
Home
Claret body, blue sleeves
Away
White
Third
2007-08
Carlotti
Caparo
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White with claret trim
Third
2006-07
Carlotti
Caparo
League One Champions — 91 points, Billy Sharp 32 goals
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
2005-06
Carlotti
Caparo
Home
Claret and blue
Away
White
Third
Reference: Football Kit Archive
Through promotions, relegations, new stadiums, and new eras — the one constant has been the claret and blue. From the pre-war years to the Championship and back, The Iron have always worn their colours with pride. Even the 13-year all-red experiment couldn't keep the club from returning to its true identity.
Kit illustrations courtesy of Historical Football Kits