Pre-season is just about over, and now all that is left to do is get the League One campaign underway.
With the Sky Bet League One campaign beginning on Saturday, The Iron PlayerHD sat down with Neal Bishop to gather his thoughts ahead of the new season, including the importance of being a 12th Man.
Bishop was visibly happy to have most of pre-season out of the way, with the real stuff to come.
He said: “You really want to see the back of pre-season to get into the competitive stuff. We’ve done the hard work now, we’re well prepared, and very much looking forward to Saturday.”
United head to Burton Albion for the first match of the season, and it is by no means an easy place to go.
The Brewers won the League Two title last season, and will be looking to take their form into this year.
“It always is playing one of the promoted teams, there’s always an extra buzz around the club after that," he said.
“If you look around the majority of the leagues, the promoted teams tend to start with a bang, with them still on a high from last year, and we have to be prepared for that.
“There will be a big crowd there and they will come at us strong, but we have to prepare for that and stick to the principles we’ve developed over pre-season - then there’s no reason why we shouldn’t get a positive result.”
The Iron launched the 12th Man scheme after the conclusion of last season, with the aim of giving more back to the club's loyal fans. Bishop spoke of the importance of being a 12th Man this campaign.:
He said: “It’s massively important. We’re more prepared this season, the chairman’s backed the manager and we’ve gelled really well.
“The pre-season results don’t count for anything, they’re done now – they’re just a way and means of getting match fitness and sharpness.”
On Monday morning the Iron team had their team photo taken for the forthcoming campaign, and members of the 12th Man initiative were invited down to be a part of a special team photo. Bishop spoke about the importance of fans meeting players.
He said: “It’s good for the supporters to come down and meet the players. I don’t think there’s enough of that now. It was great to see them down here, and the ones that did come gave us a great reception – and there’s real good feel factor around the place.”
The United midfielder spoke about the impressive away followings the team have, and how important it is to have that same support at Glanford Park too.
He said: “You talk about big away followings, but we need them just as much at home. Every team that does well in this division have good home records, and that’s the basis every season really.
“I know it’s expensive to follow football clubs, but there seems to be something special happening here.
“The new stadium is just on the horizon, and the manager has had a full pre-season now to prepare, and I think the supporters have seen that effect in the pre-season games they’ve been to watched here.
"Hopefully the supporters come in numbers and see what we are all about.”
See much more from Neal Bishop on The Iron PlayerHD.
Look out for more from The 12th Man as we count down to the first Iron home game of the season against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, August 15.
Sign up during the next week and a half, and you can enter our 12th Man prize draw. Click here to find out more.
We are also running an exclusive Q&A session with Mark Robins and Ned Kelly for 12th Man members. Click here for more details.
There is still time to sign up!
You can book in the following ways:
By Telephone - Call 01724 840139
Online - Via https://ticketing.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/
In Person - Ticket Office, Glanford Park, Jack Brownsword Way, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8TD
They are on sale now and prices are below. Matchday ticket prices can be seen by clicking here. See below for how much it costs you per game as our 12th Man, and the BIG SAVINGS you make!
MAIN STAND/CLUGSTON STAND
ADULT - £372
PER GAME: £16.17 | SAVING PER GAME: £5.82
SENIORS/18-21/STUDENT- £234
PER GAME: £10.17 | SAVING PER GAME: £4.82
UNDER 18 - £156
PER GAME: £6.78 | SAVING PER GAME: £4.21
UNDER 16 - £66
PER GAME: £2.86 | SAVING PER GAME: £3.13
UNDER 12* - FREE
BRITCON STAND
ADULT - £294
PER GAME: £12.78 | SAVING PER GAME: £5.21
SENIORS/18-21/STUDENT - £198
PER GAME: £8.60 | SAVING PER GAME: £4.39
UNDER 18 - £120
PER GAME: £5.21 | SAVING PER GAME: £3.78
UNDER 16 - £60
PER GAME: £2.86 | SAVING PER GAME: £3.13
UNDER 12* - FREE
*All Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult to any fixture at Glanford Park.
EXECUTIVE LOUNGE
ADULT - £528
PER GAME: £22.95 | SAVING PER GAME: £7.04
SENIORS - £390
PER GAME: £16.95 | SAVING PER GAME: £6.04
UNDER 21 - £294
PER GAME: £12.78 | SAVING PER GAME: £5.21
UNDER 16 - £198
PER GAME: £8.60 | SAVING PER GAME: £4.39
FAMILY AREA
ONE ADULT & UP TO TWO UNDER 16'S - £372
PER GAME: £16.17 | SAVING PER GAME: £3.82
ONE SENIOR & UP TO TWO UNDER 16'S - £234
PER GAME: £10.17 | SAVING PER GAME: £3.82
ADDITIONAL CHILDREN - £66
PER GAME: £2.86 | SAVING PER GAME: £1.13
SECOND ADULT - £372
PER GAME: £16.17 | SAVING PER GAME: £3.82
CONCESSIONS:
To qualify for a junior under 12s season ticket, your date of birth must be after 31st August 2003. To purchase an under 16 season ticket you must be born after 31st August 1999. To purchase an under 18 season ticket you must be born between 31st August 1997 and 1st September 1999. To qualify for an 18-21 season ticket you must be born between 1st September 1994 and 31st May 1997. To qualify for an over 65 season ticket you must be born before 31st August 1950, because the senior concession age is changing from 60 to 65. However, if you are already in receipt of a senior season ticket you will be able to continue at the concessionary rate.
DIRECT DEBIT SCHEME:
This is in six equal payments, starting with your first payment when you make the purchase and then five further payments, starting in June until October.
As always, you will benefit from reserved seating for all league matches and first refusal for your seat for home cup matches along with priority tickets for away cup matches.
You will also receive £1 off away coach travel and a refund if the coach travels and the game is cancelled. With the prices frozen for the new campaign this is already great value, but what more will the 12th Man offer you?
WELCOME LETTER AND CONTRACT
Every addition to the 12th Man will be given a contract to sign and keep, showing their dedication to the team, with a welcome letter personalised to you which has been written by manager Mark Robins.
NEW STADIUM
Anybody who buys a season ticket in the campaign prior to the opening of the new stadium will have priority in picking their new seats at our new home.
FREE MATCHDAY MAGAZINE FOR HOME LEAGUE GAMES
All members of the 12th Man will receive a FREE copy* of the new look award-winning matchday magazine ‘The Iron’ at every home league match as we look to keep our devoted members in touch with the latest exclusive news and features. You will also receive 50p off the cover price for all our cup issues.
EXCLUSIVE MATCH BRIEFING FROM MANAGER MARK ROBINS AHEAD OF EACH IRON GAME
Unique and exclusive to only 12th Man members, you’ll receive your game plan and tactics ahead of the upcoming match from Mark Robins. He will give his thoughts on the match ahead and outline the strategies that he will require from the 12th Man members.
A STICKER ON YOUR SEAT
Everyone that attends Glanford Park needs to know you’re a part of our 12th Man and because of that we will place stickers on your seat.
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO A PRIVATE TWITTER ACCOUNT
The Iron have created a brand new Twitter account @SUFC_12thMan which is exclusive to 12th Man members. The account will publish exclusive content and some will be posted ahead of our main @SUFCOfficial account so we keep can you in the loop before we tell the world.
FREE ENTRY TO OUR FINALTHIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE MATCHES
You will also receive free entry to all our home reserve matches.