Scunthorpe United taken over after ex-owner withdrew funding and banned fans
Scunthorpe United have announced a successful takeover by local businesswoman Michelle Harness.
Harness has assumed control of the club after former owner and chairman David Hilton told the board that he would be withdrawing his funding – before banning fans who had been vocal on social media. Despite fears over the future of the club, a takeover has been completed after Hilton requested no fee.
Harness has said: "I would like to thank everyone who assisted in the transaction, especially David Hilton. There are a lot of challenges and problems to overcome, but David has taken no fee for the club, and wiped all monies that he personally invested to enable this deal to happen.
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"I wish him and his family all the best for the future, and I hope he finds some peace away from football.
"I’d also like to acknowledge the efforts of Simon Elliott, who has massively assisted in getting this deal over the line.
"There is now a lot of work to do behind the scenes to get our great football club back on track, and that work starts immediately with the fantastic team we have working for us, starting with the appointment of a new board."
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Harness, a previous member of the board, had been the commercial director of the club for 15 years.
Following the previous statement from the former chairman, the club stated that they would be playing home games at Gainsborough Trinity's ground – who then said an agreement wasn't in place.
Scunthorpe are now set to continue at their current home, with a fixture against against Brackley Town up next on Saturday.
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Founded back in 1899, The Iron had faced litigation proceedings and winding up petitions as well as issues with their Glanford Park stadium before the new owners were found.
Fans had come together to raise more than £50,000 to pay staff wages after the funding was pulled, with fans The Iron Bru and The Iron Hour podcasts leading the fundraising as actor Thomas Turgoose and Strictly Come Dancing's Kevin Clifton offering support.
The club currently sit fourth in the National League North after a fine start to the season which has included five wins and only two defeats from 10 outings under Jimmy Dean.
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