Andy Butler: I'm going to relish this challenge

New first team manager Andy Butler is already looking forward to the new season, as he takes charge of the side following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 40-year-old steps up from his First Team Coach role following the departure of Jimmy Dean, Chris Plummer and Ant Coombe, as the Iron look for promotion from the Vanarama National League North at the second time of asking.

Reacting to his own promotion, he said: "It’s fantastic news for me, and I’m buzzing that Michelle and the Board have offered me this position.

"It’s been a quick turnaround, and I want to wish Jimmy, Chris and Ant all the best in their future cheers because they’ve worked ever so hard this season. Onwards to the future, we look and bring in the people we think we can get promotion with, and to finish the job off that we’ve started."

The hard work starts immediately, with the new gaffer already admitting his summer break is effectively cancelled as he puts his all into making his new role, and ultimately the club, a success.

"It’s all about starting again now, and we look at it with open arms, and we concentrate on our roles now, and get the best possible people in to fulfil what we want, and that is promotion. That’s down to the core group of players that we’ve got still in the squad, but also adding that bit of magic for us moving forward.

"I’ve not had chance to speak to the players yet. I’ve got to have my chats with them, and then we will make the released and retained list after that. I’m looking forward to a really good challenge, and a really good opportunity for myself, and to bring the right staff in that I want.

"We’ll sit down now, go through it with Lee (Turnbull) and the Board, and look at our options, and make decisions from there. It’s been that quick, we need to get things sorted. I’ve got this weekend to sit down, chew the fat, and really get this right. It’s important, for the whole club, and for the whole town, we need to get this right."

Butler has past exposure to being in the dugout having lead Doncaster Rovers Belles in recent years, as he gained valuable experience alongside his playing career. He also took interim charge of the men's team at Rovers during a difficult time for the club, and has been plying his trade with the Iron both in the academy and first team since his return.

'Once you’re out of football, it’s difficult to get back in," he stated.

"I had a little spell out of football, fortunately I got back in with the academy, and with the first team now. I’m not letting go of it. It’s been my life the whole way through, and it’s all I’ve known, so I’m going to grasp it with both hands, and I’m going to relish this challenge.

"I’ve learnt a lot from my roles. Bringing the right people in is a big one for me. We need to get the structure right from a staffing point of view, so we know what we’ve got. I am ready. Since I was offered the job, I haven’t stopped smiling. It’s going to be tough, and I’ll probably get a few more grey hairs, but I cannot wait for the season to start now.

"The mindset straight away will be that promotion is the goal, and there’s no hiding away from it. I’ve got to make sure the players know that straight away. The players coming in will see the facilities we’ve got, the infrastructure we’ve built, the support we’ve got. 8,000 fans last week was incredible, and we thank them for that."

If there was ever any doubt of Butler's dedication to the badge, his team will be worked hard in pre-season in preparation for the new campaign: "The players we bring in will have to work hard to represent the Scunthorpe United badge.

"It will be a hard season, but it’s a privilege to play for this club, they have to be proud for it, and put their whole body on the line for it. We will be the fittest team in the league."

Having lifted the Lincolnshire Senior Cup only last month as the Iron's captain on the night, the final question saw the new boss asked whether his new role meant his boots had been hung up: "They’re firmly on the hook now. I want to give everything I can to make this club successful, so the boots are away now. They’re hung up and my last game was against Spalding. It was a fitting way to end it, but I’ve learnt from previous roles that you can’t do both.

"You have to be all in or nothing, so those boots are away, and the long coat is out, and I’m relishing this role."