This week we've unfortunately seen damage to the training pitch from local youths for the second time in quick succession, which is really disappointing following all the hard work that has been put in by the ground staff and volunteers over the summer.
We do have CCTV footage and will be speaking to the police, but it's frustrating that those people have decided to undermine the efforts to prepare the best pitch possible for Keith and the first team group.
Today, Leanne Mayo has stepped down from the Chief Executive Officer role and I'd like to thank her for her years of service to the club since joining in 2015, firstly as Chief Operating Officer before taking on the CEO role in 2020. Leanne is staying on as a director and also is a member of the Lincolnshire County FA board. She adds valuable experience and expertise to the board of directors. On a personal note, I'd like to thank her again as she's been a real help during my return to the football club. We wish her well in the future, although she will remain a regular visitor to Glanford Park.
Rodger Wylde has joined the football club this week as Lead Physiotherapist. He will support Dorian Mars in the medical department and we're delighted to have recruited someone with such vast experience. He has worked in football for over 50 years and has fulfilled many roles including player, coach and three decades as a physio.
Thank you to the volunteers who have been in touch about helping stadium staff get Glanford Park in the best condition it can be before the home friendly against Sheffield United in two weeks' time. If anyone else would like to help, please email feedback@scunthorpe-united.co.uk.
This has been the first full week of pre-season for the players and the upcoming games will feature the trialists who have been involved in the sessions, as Keith continues his assessment of those. We expect some developments next week as we enter our friendly programme.
Just to clarify regarding released players' contractual situations at present. Although their contracts expire on June 30th, they do actually get paid up until the end of July from their previous club. This sometimes comes into the equation when you are negotiating deals for incoming players.
I visited St Lawrence Academy this week to meet and greet our new scholars. The player pathway is clearly defined from academy to first team, which Keith Hill embraces. Tony and his staff do a fantastic job and have produced numerous players in recent history that have made their debuts for the first team. As a football club it's vitally important we have a thriving academy, and there are fresh opportunities for people to join our academy staff.
I'd like to thank fellow director Neil Wright for volunteering his time this week assisting the commercial department with a number of new opportunities moving forward.
The Community Trust part of the club continues to thrive, with NCS manager and former player Lee Ridley leading a group of 64 young people to Howarth on Monday on Phase 1 of the NCS programme, for their first residential since the Covid-19 pandemic. It's fantastic to see the club's community department engage with local 16-to-17-year-olds this way and long may it continue.
I caught up with Club Chaplain Alan Wright (The Rev) today and had a long chat regarding the football club and the future, and asked him as I always do for a bit of divine intervention moving forward!
Finally, I'm looking at hosting a drop-in session between 3pm and 6pm ahead of the Rochdale friendly on Tuesday, July 19th for anyone, ideally between the ages of 14 and 21, interested in joining a Youth Board. Further details will be announced in the run-up to the match. We are trying to formulate a structure that represents and gives a voice to our younger supporters. Please email feedback@scunthorpe-united.co.uk if you have any queries relating to that.
Up the Iron.
Lee Turnbull
Chief Operating Officer