Chair's New Year message

Chair Michelle Harness delivers her New Year message as we leave a memorable 2025 behind...

As 2025 draws to a close, I once again reflect on another calendar year, one which has provided challenge and triumph, one which has given positive memories to all connected with the football club, and one which saw us take one step closer to being back where we want to be.

In a year that has tested patience, belief and resolve, that sense of togetherness that we always talk about has mattered more than ever. There have been moments this year that lifted us and moments that challenged us. That is the nature of football, and perhaps of life itself. Progress is rarely straightforward and rarely in a straight line, and rebuilding something with deep roots takes time, care and honesty, something we’ve always tried to do since coming in. We have made mistakes throughout the year, of course we have, but if we don’t win, we learn, and we have once again learned a lot both on and off the pitch. Rebuilding was never going to be a quick process and it was never complete in the first 18 months, and it will still take some time yet to complete. We’ve always had the past lingering over us, never had a fresh clean slate to work from, and that’s something that will never change. Where a community body such as a football club is concerned, no one should ever be complacent. Help to progress is always required, always appreciated, and very much is always welcome.

What has never wavered, however, is the commitment of those who care about this club. From supporters on the terraces and in the stands, to volunteers who give their time each week behind the scenes to make the stadium a better place to come to, and to the players and staff who represent the Iron with pride. To each and every person, I want to say, quite simply, thank you for everything over the course of 2025.

Everyone’s efforts, both on and off the pitch, have contributed to one of the most successful calendar years in our history, when you consider the rebuild we’ve continued, and especially in terms of points tally, and that deep rooted work ethic and positivity ripples through the club as a result of what has been instilled by Andy, John, Paul and everyone involved in bringing us the success we’ve had over the course of the year. To take 95 points across the calendar year is unthinkable, especially when you consider a promotion to a higher league.

Once again, everyone has had their part to play, and the Board continue to take on their roles and responsibilities in aiding the club back onto the right path. Roj, George and Ian play an integral part of that through their involvement, with their roles evolving from Directors to co-owners of the football club. It’s truly flown by, and we’re into our third season already, and now move into our fourth calendar year where we hope to make more progress, continue learning and ultimately make everyone proud to support Scunthorpe United. For me, it’s a pleasure to be involved at the club on a day-to-day basis. To come in and work alongside our team behind the scenes, to be involved with the players and football staff, and just to be part of the environment continues to make it worthwhile and a timely reminder of why I wanted to help in the first place.

It would be remiss of me not to mention our former CEO Matt Roberts, who played his part in our progress in 2025. Moving our retail platform to Terrace, our ticketing platform to FanBase and our Technical Kit Partner to MEYBA, he has installed three new partners which we continue with contractually over the next couple of years at least as per our agreements with each of them. Those who have taken the responsibilities to drive these existing partnerships since his departure will do this with professionalism, and will look to attain the best out of the agreements that we possibly can. Elsewhere, the club will always assess the best options in the future should they lie elsewhere.

2025 has been another year of learning. We have learned about resilience, about patience and the importance of making decisions that serve the long-term health of the club, not just short-term gain. Trust is built through openness, consistency and action, and earning trust is always an ongoing process.

Our main focuses for 2026 is to harness that further. Fan engagement is one of our core values that we want to improve on. I feel we’ve made massive strides, but we can always do more, and will always be able to do more. We launched the Voice of the Fans group and that is the start of more interaction, more learning and trying to get more things right. We will not always get it right, but every decision we do take is what we feel is for the right reasons, and for what we feel will benefit the football club, and the business, the most. We look forward to welcoming our Voice of the Fans representatives to one of our matchday huts outside on Saturday - please take time to go see them and get your views across.

With all the above in mind, following Matt’s decision to leave the club, we felt it the perfect time to offer James Moody the opportunity to move into a General Manager role and progress himself further at the club he’s served so loyally over the last 14 years through the highs and lows that football presents. Only a couple of months into his latest journey, we know it’s very much a transition stage, and internally we can see signs of this progression and the direction things need to evolve into over the next 12 months. We know we have the right team behind the scenes to deliver that goal, and the right leadership to motivate and drive that mission. It’s no secret that we operate with a small, tight knit group, but a hard-working group who go above and beyond for each other and for the badge. What we probably lack in numbers, we make up in loyalty, drive and commitment, and that’s worth so much more.

A remit has been set out, and will be fleshed out in the New Year over a series of team meetings where we have to deliver more. We have to deliver more to you as supporters, and we must as always look to increase revenue for the business to allow the football to thrive. It all goes hand-in-hand with success. More revenue equals an improved playing budget, and wise usage of a higher budget results in an improved chance for success. Having had conversations and meetings with James and the staff behind the scenes, I know there are ideas on the table, and it’s our intentions to bring some to fruition across the year. The vision is exciting, and we have the team to deliver it in stages, and we know you’ll support the team we have behind the scenes as much as we do as a Board.

It’s been said before, but we have to utilise the stadium more as a venue, and that will also be another targeted revenue stream. December was a productive month with Christmas Party Nights, events and hires for various events, but we must look to make the Attis Arena a hub for businesses, the go-to place in Scunthorpe for hospitality and events, and top of the list for all things in between. This will take time, but it’s a key part of our sustainability plan. If we can get more use out of the venue when football isn’t occurring, that will only help the overall business. With that comes renovations and a desire to freshen up a number of internal areas in the stadium. We have our dedicated volunteers who do a fantastic job, and are always on the lookout for tradespeople to assist us further, either with time, expertise, materials or all three!

Heading into January, we sit in a comfortable position, one point adrift of hitting our first season target of 50 points and survival. We can undoubtedly now progress that on, and see where the next 22 league games take us. Ambitions remain high, because that’s where it always should be. But whatever the future brings, our focus will remain on building a club that is sustainable, rooted in its community, and worthy of the badge it carries. We thank everyone involved in helping us to look to achieve and maintain this, from supporters groups, volunteers, our staff, the players and every single one of you who comes to cheer us on, home or away, week-in, week-out.

On behalf of the Board and everyone at Scunthorpe United, I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and we look forward to creating more memories with you on our journey in 2026.

Up the Iron!
Michelle