Andy Butler named new First Team Manager

Scunthorpe United is delighted to announce Andy Butler will be the club’s new First Team Manager.

The 40-year-old steps up from his role as First Team Coach following the departure of Jimmy Dean, Chris Plummer and Ant Coombe.

Butler returned to the Attis Arena for a third stint in autumn 2022, having first played for the club between 2002 and 2008 before again playing for the club in the 2019-20 campaign. Originally returning as part of the club’s academy set-up as Youth Development Phase Coach, he moved over to the first team in June 2023 following the departure of Michael Nelson.

Over the course of his career, the former Iron academy graduate played in excess of 700 games, including 174 for the Iron, and was still playing for Farsley Celtic when he returned to the club’s youth set-up. Last season, alongside his coaching role, he also played in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup across all three fixtures, scoring in the quarter-final win over Gainsborough Trinity, before captaining the side to victory over Spalding United in the final.

Butler has also had management experience with one of his other former clubs, Doncaster Rovers. He was appointed manager of their women’s team in January 2020, with his role with the Belles held until he returned to the Iron. During that time, he also had a spell as caretaker with the men’s first team at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Speaking following his promotion to gaffer, Butler 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.

“I’m going to grasp this with both hands, and I’m going to relish this challenge, because it will be a challenge.”

Owner and chairperson Michelle Harness added: “We are delighted to give Andy the opportunity to step up from his role as First Team Coach.

“Andy has shown an immense amount of professionalism since the new Board came to the football club, and is a fantastic young coach, with a wealth of experience already. While we, as a Board, decided to make a change, we felt that it was important to have an element of continuity moving forward to embrace the successes we did enjoy last season, and bring those experiences into the 2024-25 season.

“Andy will be given an opportunity to assess where he feels he needs support, along with time to assess the squad before meeting with the players next week. From there, the club will announce the retain list once all discussions have taken place.”

In 2023-24, Andy was sponsored by the Whistle and Flute, Barnetby-le-Wold.