Remembering those who have passed away over the last 12 months…
With this afternoon being our last home game of the season, we will once again remember those with Scunthorpe United connections - be it players, supporters, staff or others - who have sadly passed away over the last 12 months.
We've welcomed you to submit your requests to be included in this piece over the past couple of weeks and we are inviting everyone at the game to take part in a period of silence ahead of kick-off, with the names being read out over the PA system over the course of the minute.
We would also like to send our thoughts and condolences to anyone who has lost a family member or friend.
REMEMBERING IRON CONNECTIONS…
Don Welbourne, who made over 250 appearances for the club between 1966 and 1976, passed away at the end of last year at the age of 73.
Don was born in the town and began his career as an apprentice with the Iron, making his debut as a 17-year-old in September 1966. He then established himself in the first team a couple of years later, spending seven seasons as a regular, and was part of the Fourth Division team that famously knocked First Division Sheffield Wednesday out of the 1969–70 FA Cup on Wednesday's own ground.
Goalkeeper Jim Lavery, born in Lennoxtown, Scotland in December 1948, died aged 74 at the turn of the calendar year.
Lavery first joined the club in August 1966 but wouldn't make his debut until the final game of 1967 in the 3-2 away win at Oxford United. He would make a total of 16 consecutive appearances during this spell in all competitions.
After departing for local side Brigg Town, Lavery would again return to Scunthorpe United in August 1974 and waited much less time for his second debut at the club, this time deputising for Geoff Barnard some four league games into the season in a 2-2 away draw at Barnsley. He would play 12 times for the club in the 1974-75 season, including in the League Cup defeat at Manchester City.
Peter Neale was part of the Iron's squad between 1959 and 1966, which included our halcyon days in the old Second Division.
The central defender made 245 Iron appearances in all competitions, scoring eight times, in games against Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers.
Former manager of the club John Duncan, who succeeded Ron Ashman at the Old Show Ground passed away peacefully at home at the age of 73.
He managed the club between 1981 and 1983 following a playing career dogged by injuries and would lead the side to a successful 1982-83 season including a positive FA Cup run and a high-flying league campaign before his shock dismissal in February 1983.
The Iron family lost Dave Shearer last summer, one of the players to play in the first-ever league game at Glanford Park in 1988. He would net seven goals in 16 matches for the side in what turned out to be a short stint at the club, leaving in December 1988.
At age 83, Brian Bedford sadly passed away. After leaving QPR, he would sign for Scunthorpe in 1965, making a favourable impression in his one year at the Old Show Ground. He netted 23 goals in 37 games for the side as United steadied the ship following relegation in the previous season. The team finished 18th in Division Three, largely aided by the goals from Bedford.
Andy Mullen passed away on Friday, April 7th aged 94 years. He played for the Iron for two seasons from 1955 and was a regular supporter while he was fit and able enough to attend games.
He was born in Newcastle and had lived in Scunthorpe ever since his playing days for the club.
YOUR MESSAGES…
- Phil Richardson sadly passed away suddenly on March 3rd, 2023. The owner of AE Cox and Sons, a supplier of workwear and PPE, located on Warren Road in Scunthorpe. Phil was a proud sponsor of Scunthorpe United and provided the high-vis coats worn by ground stewards. Phil was a much-loved partner, godfather, colleague and very dear friend. He will be greatly missed by many people. Phil’s funeral service took place on March 30th, and his wake was held here at Glanford Park afterwards.
- My late father-in-law Robert (Bob) Maw was a lifelong fan of Scunthorpe United. He passed away on December 30th, 2022 only two days after his 90th birthday. His son is the founder of the Winterton Iron.
- My Uncle, Tom Seiles, aged 78 passed away on May 17th, 2022 and left Glanford Park for the final time on June 20th, 2022.
- Jean Barbara Horner was a lifelong fan and worked in the kiosk at the Old Show Ground.
- John Simpson, 87, a long-time season ticket holder and proprietor of H Simpson & Sons of Ashby (he was one of the sons). H Simpson and Sons were, at one time, one of the longest serving advertisers in the programme.
- Colin Hornsby was Scunthorpe United through and through having first gone to the Old Show Ground to watch them in the Midland League and then in the Football League, passing away in September 2022.
A FULL MEMORIAM…
Richard ABRAMS B.E.M., 74
Richard ALLENBY, 57
Brian BEDFORD, 83
Nick BELL, 50
Andrew BRISTOW, 57
Catherine CARPENTER
Steve CLAYTON, 67
Taylor COATES
Mick COTTAM, 75
John DOBBS, 73
Nigel DOUGHTY, 54
John DUNCAN, 73
Peter FOX, 63
Harold HARRIS, 92
Paul “Sid” HARRIS, 56
Jean Barbara HORNER, 90
Colin HORNSBY, 77
Don KEIGHTLEY, 88Jim LAVERY, 74
Michael LOWE, 30
Robert (Bob) MAW, 90
Denah MOODY
Andy MULLEN, 94
Peter MUMBY, 81
Peter NEALE, 88
Owen NEWTON, 17
Phil RICHARDSON, 59
Geoffrey ROONEY, 74
Bill SARGEANT, 76
Peter SARGEANT, 86
Tom SEILES, 78
Dave SHEARER, 63
Bryan SHIPLEY, 87
John SIMPSON, 86
Margaret SMITH, 82
Roy SMITH, 82
Bryan TONG, 83
Alan TURNER
Don WELBOURNE, 73
Joy WITTING, 61