Scunthorpe United relegation confirmed
It follows today's 3-0 defeat at Leyton Orient
Last updated 15th Apr 2022
There can be few emotions football fans feel that are quite as raw and affecting as the one Scunthorpe United supporters are experiencing right now.
This afternoon it was confirmed the Iron have been relegated out of the football league after 72 years.
It's only just over ten years ago that they'd been playing in the championship.
It will come as no surprise to supporters after a season of disappointment.
Nevertheless fans will still be hit by the fact that it has now become reality.
Where did it all go wrong?
Their poor run started as far back as last season when Scunthorpe escaped relegation by a narrow margin.
It had been hoped the fresh campaign would bring a change of fortune but sadly that didn't happen.
It wasn't the best of starts back in August but the Iron did at least pick up some points.
However by October they were losing on a regular basis and when they went down 6-1 at Harrogate the club knew things needed to change significantly.
Shortly after that defeat Scunthorpe parted company with manager Neil Cox.
The new man at the helm was Keith Hill, he brought a wealth of experience having previously been in charge at the likes of Bolton, Tranmere and Barnsley during their time in the championship.
However that failed to bring the hoped for turnaround and the Iron were rooted to the bottom of League 2.
A new year saw little improvement and soon it seemed relegation was inevitable.
Any hope of a "great escape" was dashed by a run of defeats towards the end of the season culminating in today's 3 nil defeat at Leyton Orient.
Chairman steps down.
Just two weeks ago Chairman Peter Swann announced he was to leave the role.
In a statement he said he felt it would ease tensions at the club and would mean it wouldn't distract from the team's task.
He also said the pandemic had had a major impact on the club's finances and that badly affected its sustainability.
It also limited player recruitment which is seems may have played a part in their performance this season.
He also said he wouldn't risk the club's future by borrowing further.
Finally he stated that he'd "given everything for Scunthorpe United but I know I have come up short".
Previously he admitted he'd made mistakes in the past but said that although they would no longer be in league football they at least be on a reasonably sound financial footing.
Swann also promised to find a new owner who would be the "right person for the club".
Where does that leaves manager Keith Hill remains uncertain.
Before he stepped down Peter Swann had stressed that he wanted Hill to continue in the job to provide continuity.
Any new owner may wish to agree or maybe bring in a new manager - we shall see.
Scunthorpe United must now look to the future.
And that brings us back to today.
Scunthorpe United's 72 years in the football league finally came to an end with a 3 nil defeat at Leyton Orient.
Speaking to the club's website Keith Hill said he felt disappointed for the club but also particularly for the supporters.
He praised the fans for their backing and said they'd been "magnificent".
Hill also spoke about the future saying they needed to produce a new model for the club.
So ends an upsetting day for everyone associated with Scunthorpe United.
It's a day they won't forget, but for all the wrong reasons.
Now they must prepare for life in the National League next season.
It is disappointing but many league sides have dropped out only to return.
And from next season the Iron will be looking to do exactly that, at the first opportunity.