The Iron are delighted to announce a special commemorative third kit ahead of the 2014-15 season.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Irish Iron, United’s third kit for next season will be green with white shorts and green socks – replicating that of the Irish national side.
The Iron wanted to recognise the achievement of the Irish Iron by doing something unique where we could show their appreciation to the fans.
United Chairman Peter Swann told Scunthorpe-United.co.uk: “We are delighted to announce that the third kit for next season will be green as a way to recognising the support of the Irish Iron over the past 20 years.
“Once we came up with the idea to commemorate their 20th anniversary in this way I had no hesitations about going in this direction for the kit.
“It has received a lot of praise with the supporters in Ireland and I hope the supporters closer to home like the new third choice kit as well.
“The third kit will also have the old Unity crest on which and we would like to thank the Football League for giving us special dispensation to use that this season.”
United and their commercial manager Michelle Harness will be running a competition over the weekend where one supporter will be able to win the very first replica shirt.
To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is follow Michelle on Twitter (@CommercialSUFC) and retweet the promotional image.
The image will also be posted on the club’s official Twitter account and you’ll be able to enter through either account.
The Iron’s Commercial Manager Michelle Harness said: “We’ve come up with this idea to commemorate the Irish Iron’s 20th anniversary in house and when we put the suggestion to the Chairman he agreed without hesitation.
“All the funds that the Irish Iron raise though their own sponsorship is invested back into the club through kit sponsorship.
“Commercially we would all like to thank Bernard Griffin and Matt Blanchard for their input and suggestions for putting the shirt together.”
United manager Russ Wilcox has a long association with the Iron stretching back to 1997 when he first joined the club.
Since retiring from playing Wilcox has been the club assistant manager and now the manager.
Speaking about the 20th anniversary of Irish Iron Wilcox said: "It is an excellent idea that we have decided to celebrate 20 years of loyal Irish support with a new green third kit for the 2014/15 season in League One.
"Your support and commitment is very much appreciated and it doesn't go unnoticed.
"Up the Irish Iron."
Bernard Griffin, the Secretary of the Irish Iron supporters group said: “We are all delighted that Scunthorpe United have decided to commemorate our 20th anniversary by unveiling this new shirt.
“It’s great to see the Unity badge return to our kit as well and I believe this will be a massive hit with the supporters.
“I would like to thank Michelle and everyone at Scunthorpe United for making this possible.”
The Iron’s new third kit will have one major difference on the chest compared with the other two kits from this season.”
The Football League have granted United special dispensation to use the old Unity badge, which was used between 1982 and 1990.
Underneath the Unity badge there will be some stitching saying “Irish Iron, 20 years” which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Irish supporters club.
Matt Blanchard said: “As editor of Iron-Bru.com who have supported the campaign for the return to the Unity crest, I am thrilled that the club have decided to use it on the third strip for the 2014/15 campaign.
“It is a fantastic gesture from the club to commemorate 20 years of the Irish Iron with this new green strip.
“Bernard and the rest of the Irish Iron are well known amongst Iron fans and I`m sure he will be delighted and honoured that the club are recognizing their fantastic support over the last two decades.”
United will open their 2014-15 Sky Bet League One campaign in the new third kit away at Swindon Town on Saturday, August 9 and it is hoped that it’ll be on sale on prior to the start of the season.
The Iron’s Supporter Liaison Officer, Andy Brown, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic news that the Iron’s third kit for the coming season will be green and have the Irish Iron supporters logo on it celebrating 20 years of supporting the Iron, Bernard and his fellow Irish members are a credit to the club.”
The new third kit has already been a hit with United supporters clubs across the board.
The Winterton Iron Chairman, Doug Parker, says it’s great news that the Iron have decided to commemorate 20 years of Irish Iron.
He said: “It’s brilliant news that our third kit for the 2014-15 season will be green and include the old Unity crest which most of us love and cherish.
“Scunthorpe United Football Club are very lucky to have such a dedicated supporters group as the Irish Iron.
“They have shown their loyalty for 20 years and that is a fantastic achievement to everyone involved with that supporters group.”
He added: “Well done Bernard and Co.”