Match to remember: Martyn Woolford

Every Iron fan of that era will be able to recall the visit of Newcastle United in October 2009.

Two goals from Martyn Woolford were enough to give Scunthorpe a 2-1 victory against the eventual Championship winners in front of a sold-out stadium.

The result has gone down as one of the greatest games witnessed at our home since its opening, but for the man who scored both games that night the game was one of the greatest of his career.

“I just remember the goals more than anything against Newcastle. I can’t even remember when the goals were scored,” he told our matchday programme.

“I remember the first goal was a pretty easy tap-in with my right foot. The second goal I remember a bit better, as it was put on a plate for me and I finished from just inside the box, so they’re not the greatest strikes I’ve ever scored.

“To come up against and beat a team you’ve watched on Match of the Day and that’s been in the Premier League for so long was amazing.

“To not only score the winner but to fire both goals in one of Scunthorpe’s biggest ever wins was really special and something I’m extremely proud of.”

Woolford went on to make 103 appearances in three years at the club and acknowledges the atmosphere that night was the greatest he experienced at the Iron.

“I remember the atmosphere especially well. I think we were just about full and although realistically there were only 9,000 fans inside the stadium it felt like 20,000. The fans got behind us amazingly that night and really helped us along,” he said.

“I remember when the second goal went in, it went completely crazy and I don’t think there was one fan that wasn’t going absolutely mental.

“To play a part in a game Scunthorpe fans think so highly of is a great honour for me because they were all fantastic during my time there and I hope I paid them back some of that in my performances.

“Bar the League One play-off final winner against Millwall, they were definitely the most important goals I’ve scored for the club.”

That season the Iron went on to defy bookmakers as they survived relegation to the Championship.

And Woolford believes the result against the Magpies went a long way in giving the squad the belief and confidence they were a worthy second tier outfit.