IT is a moment that encapsulates the overarching success for which Scunthorpe United were once renowned.
In the glow of Wembley fireworks, sparked by promotion back to the Championship in 2009, club captain Cliff Byrne grabbed from the crowd a piece of cardboard on which scrawled in marker pen were the words 'Bring on Shearer'.
It signalled the Iron's return to a division which the following season saw them record a famous victory over the Match of the Day pundit's beloved Newcastle United. They also comfortably turned over the likes of Crystal Palace and Derby County on their way to second-tier survival for the first time in more than 45 years.
So how can it be that just 13 years after demanding 'Bring on Shearer', the Iron are preparing to host the likes of Banbury and Curzon Ashton in National League North next season?
Defeat to Oldham on EasMonday condemned ter Scunthorpe to a second successive relegation, and their third demotion in what has been a tortuous five seasons.
The club that so-called Football smaller League sides once strived to emulate have spiralled into the sort of basket case that should serve as a warning about how far and fast it is possible to fall.
Assessing where it has gone wrong for the Iron this term is something of an oxymoron, as in reality it has never really been right.
Denne historien er fra April 16, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 16, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CRAIG'S BOOSTS
MANAGERIAL stalwart Craig Edwards is back in charge of Barking – 23 years after he left!
LENNIE GETS THE LOVE
VETERAN caretaker chief Lennie Lawrence says he is “excited” to be handed the reins at Hartlepool United permanently – just a few weeks before his 77th birthday!
MOTORS FEELS LIKE HOLMES!
WHEN he was younger, Danny Holmes played video games that simulated being a football manager.
REES HITS FAB FOUR AS TOWN ROMP IT
RICARDO REES struck four times to help Merthyr Town maintain their spot at the top of the table with a dominant home win against play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville.
DULWICH DISPLAY DELIGHTS COACHES
GOALS from Danny Mills, Luke Wanadio and Lorenzo’s stoppage-time finish fired Dulwich Hamlet to a comfortable win over fellow play-off hopefuls Potters Bar Town, though the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story.
ANCHORS A RAPID
ASHTON UNITED hit two goals in two minutes to come from behind to win at Stockton Town.
SEAGULLS KEEP THE HEAT ON ROMANS
BATH City were made to pay for their mistakes by high-flying Weston-super-Mare.
CLINICAL COLEMAN KEEN AS MUSTARD
CIAN COLEMAN’S hat-trick lifted Buxton to their highest league position of the season as they became the latest side to frustrate Scunthorpe.
KEV SEES RED IN REE PANT!
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hit out at referee Abigail Byrne following his side’s defeat to Yeovil Town at Roots Hall.
MARVEL MATTY DENIES MOORS
BOTH managers insisted their teams deserved more after Altrincham came from behind to steal a point in a six-goal thriller at Solihull Moors.
