Lee Turnbull's programme notes (Chesterfield)

I’d like to wish supporters of both clubs a Happy Christmas and a great 2023.

With recent postponements, we have had a mixed schedule over the last few weeks, and this inevitably impacts on players and staff alike. Today's game should be a cracker (pardon the pun). Chesterfield are an outstanding team with an excellent manager in Paul Cook. Cooky has got the whole club moving in the right direction with tremendous support from John Croot (CEO) and the Community Trust.

I spent three years at Chesterfield as a player, and loved it, playing alongside the likes of Sean Dyche and Kevin Davies. We had some good times. Like us, a club with a rich EFL tradition that will hopefully get back there soon. The Community Trust took a leap of faith a few years back and were given the chance to take ownership of Chesterfield Football Club. They now have a stable, well supported and thriving club, one that is extremely well run, and has a plan and vision for a return to the EFL. I applaud them, and wish them well.

Boxing Day games are always special, a big crowd on a cold day with a cracking atmosphere certainly gets the juices flowing. The opportunity to beat one of the “big boys“ should be enough motivation for our lads to run through a brick wall to get those three points. The spirit and togetherness in recent weeks has impressed me, local lads like Fin Shrimpton, Pughy and Owen Foster wear their hearts on their sleeves. To get out of this hole we need that level of commitment from players, staff and supporters, to try and make 2023 our year to bounce back after the annus horribilis of last year!

The trials and tribulations of our football club still rumble on. Your backing and support has been outstanding, whether it’s away at Wealdstone or Yeovil, or here at GP, your voices have been loud and proud. As you know, I always ask you for help… you have never let me down, our Community Champions are a shining example of this, providing ideas and expertise to make Scunthorpe United Football Club a better place.

Our supporters have been to hell and back. I feel your pain. We will always work hard with honesty and integrity to try and improve things on and off the pitch, whatever the odds are, whatever the challenges are, we must not give in! The aims of this football club are simple right now, to try and save our club from disappearing, and to try and stay in this division. Furthermore, hopefully improve the playing squad which in itself is a massive challenge right now. Not being able to support the manager with new players is incredibly frustrating for all of us. This however means we get behind every one of those players at his disposal, support them and drive them on.

The players and staff understand the enormity of this task, not unachievable and certainly no white flag goes up whilst I’m around. Keep believing has always been a motto prominent down the dressing room area. Actions always speak louder than words and it’s now a 23 game season, we need everyone to fight, scratch and bite to get this club out of the bottom four.

I would like to thank my staff for their resilience, understanding, hard graft and loyalty, during what has been an incredibly difficult time. Their professionalism and pride in their work is much appreciated and they know how much I respect their efforts.

My message is one of hope, determination and solidarity to keep the club alive and kicking. The dark days of 2022 will be soon hopefully behind us and to go into the New Year with three points and 11 sweaty shirts would give us all a massive boost.

Enjoy the game, keep safe and warm, get behind the lads. Embrace the spirit of Christmas. God bless those who we have lost and cherish this time with those nearest and dearest to you.

United we stand!

UTI
Lee