The Iron Years

s r a ye Writing for the award-winning matchday programme

ISSUE ONE

In late 2012 I started writing for an entry-level blogging website called Tiktaka to build my portfolio and experience. You can read my work at: www.tiktaka.com/author/richjones88 Whilst writing for Tiktaka, I completed work for FC United of Manchester. I was commissioned with the 2011/12 and 2012/13 season reviews as well as ground guides. Read them here: http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/m_history.php I then applied for the role of website author for Live4soccer.co.uk, who provide sports merchandise to football clubs. The site enabled me to write for a larger audience. In my column I created a relaxed read that bridged news, views and statistics: www.live4soccer.co.uk/blog/author/richard-jones All the above helped me land the role as matchday programme author for Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2013. I now preview opponments for every home game on page 86 of The Iron.

Here are a few of my favourites..

WORDS: Richard Jones

Follow @OfficialECFC to read about our next home opposi�on

Next at Glanford Park...

EXETER CITY WE ARE BACK IN ACTION HERE AT GLANFORD PARK IN A FORTNIGHT’S TIME WHEN UNITED ENTERTAIN EXETER CITY. Here is our look ahead to the match against the Grecians, who are managed by the sartorially elegant Paul Tisdale.

TELL ME MORE...

The Grecians have a couple of interes�ng claims to fame. In 2005, while in the Conference, Exeter held Manchester United to a goalless draw in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford and they have also had some unlikely celebrity involvement.

Uri Geller – a psychic known for his cutlery-bending exploits was once co-chairman of the Grecians, while Michael Jackson and David Blaine have also been associated with the westcountry club, albeit briefly.

The trio made an appearance at St James Park for a charity fundraiser event in 2002, but have since cut �es. Later that year, the Grecians were again asking for dona�ons of a different kind and urged fans to buy shares to save the club.

The Exeter Supporters Trust recently celebrated the ten-year anniversary of majority ownership, but a lack of funds this summer has meant Grecians boss Paul Tisdale was unable to offer new contracts to a host of players, including some first-team regulars, leaving holes in the line-up.

Among the outgoings included 86 | THE IRON MATCHDAY MAGAZINE

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John O’Flynn was Exeter’s second-highest scorer last season with 12 goals, and a decent start should see him build upon that this campaign. talisman striker Jamie Cureton, the club’s top-scorer last season with 21 goals in 42 appearances, as well as veteran defenders Kevin Amankwaah and Steve Tully.

Tisdale has managed to retain the services of influen�al trio Ma� Oakley, Tommy Doherty and striker John O’Flynn whose experience should steady the ship.

The impact of the summer departures doesn’t seem to have affected Exeter City too much, a�er a decent start to the campaign, but the side could s�ll be in for a struggle this season.

STAR MAN...

John O’Flynn was Exeter’s secondhighest scorer last season with 12 goals, and a decent start should see him build upon that this campaign.

A double against Wimbledon this season demonstrated why O’Flynn is o�en Tisdale’s star�ng striker, with his opener a low shot from the edge of the box. The influen�al Irishman also is lethal in the air – he came on as a subs�tute and headed home the injury-�me winner to devastate

Saturday, October 19, 2013 3.00pm kick-off @ Glanford Park <> Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale has been linked with numerous posi�ons during his tenure.

Northampton Town recently.

NEW FACES...

Tisdale has filled gaps on a shoestring budget le� by the nine-player summer exodus, bringing in a mixture of youth and experience. John O’Flynn signed a new deal and will be looked upon for goals following Jamie Cureton’s departure to Cheltenham Town, while the reten�on of veteran midfielders Ma� Oakley and Tommy Doherty are also a boost for the club.

Academy star Ma� Grimes and non-league prospect David Wheeler have both signed professionally, whilst ex-St Mirren striker Sam Parkin should bring

much-needed experience and goals. Defensive steel has also been added with the signatures of Danny Bu�erfield and Doug Bergqvist.

LAST TIME OUT...

A single goal from Jon Parkin in the 76th minute at Glanford Park was enough to secure three points during a ten match unbeaten run for the Iron in 2012.

HOW TO GET TICKETS...

Full details of how to purchase �ckets for this game can be found on page 85 of THE IRON or by visi�ng Scunthorpe-United.co.uk and clicking the ‘Online Ticke�ng’ tab.

Visit www.twi�er.com/sufcofficial for detailed coverage and fans’ views 24/7

WORDS: Richard Jones

Follow @Only1Argyle for the latest news from our next home opposi�on.

Next at Glanford Park...

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE UNITED’S NEXT HOME MATCH WILL SEE THEM PLAY HOST TO PLYMOUTH ARGYLE TWO WEEKS ON SATURDAY. Here is our lookahead to the match against Argyle, who are managed by former Oldham and Chesterfield chief John Sheridan.

TELL ME MORE...

Back in 2009, when Scunthorpe and Plymouth Argyle were both in the Championship, the board of the south west club boldly announced a five-year plan to reach the Premier League.

Almost five years on, both teams meet again, this �me in the fourth �er of the football pyramid, having experienced a very different half decade of events, but with similar inten�ons for promo�on this season.

Plymouth Argyle began their rise up the through leagues from the old Division Three in 2001, under boss Paul Sturrock. The Scot guided the Pilgrims to two promo�ons in three seasons, before par�ng company as the club began to establish themselves in the Championship.

A�er six seasons, their stay in the league ended in 2010. It also cued the beginning of a slippery slope for the Pilgrims, when a second consecu�ve relega�on followed. In March 2011, the club entered administra�on with debts of £13m and were docked ten points which resulted in relega�on 14 | THE IRON MATCHDAY MAGAZINE

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Argyle snapped up Romuald Boco in July when his contract expired with Accrington Stanley.

to League Two. The club’s saviour was businessman James Brent, who has since brought about stability and redevelopment plans.

Plymouth City Council recently accepted a £50m proposal to improve the ground, with work to the Mayflower grandstand, new hospitality and catering facili�es and a mul�plex cinema as part of the plans.

Investment and redevelopment ini�a�ves indicate that the Pilgrim’s luck may be finally improving. Manager John Sheridan has said the club can challenge for promo�on now they are more financially secure, and some shrewd summer signings certainly mark this statement of intent.

STAR MAN...

Argyle snapped up Romuald Boco (circled) in July when his contract expired with Accrington Stanley, and he looks a solid addi�on to the team. The Benin interna�onal scored 10 goals in 42 appearances last season, during his second spell at Stanley.

His skill and work-rate made him a fan-favourite at the Crown

Saturday, September 21, 2013 3.00pm kick-off

<> Plymouth Argyle manager John Sheridan.

Ground and he’s quickly established himself at Plymouth.

In his third league appearance, he opened his account with a goal against Cheltenham Town.

NEW FACES...

John Sheridan has been busy �nkering with his squad, with eight players leaving and as many arriving at Home Park this summer.

The Pilgrims have secured the services of Yeovil striker Reuben Reid on another season-long loan, whilst Argyle academy product Ben Purrington has signed a professional contract with the club.

Other arrivals at the south west side include Accrington Stanley’s out-of-contract Benin interna�onal midfielder Romauld

Boco, striker Lewis Alessandra from Morecombe and free-agent Neal Trotman.

Plymouth Argyle also re-signed former goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who made his return to football with Truro City last year a�er being released from prison.

HAVE WE MET BEFORE...

The Iron have won 11 of the 26 games against Argyle. Goals from Garry Thompson and Martyn Woolford secured a 2-1 victory last �me, in 2010.

HOW TO GET TICKETS...

Full details of how to purchase �ckets for this game can be found on page 13 of THE IRON or by visi�ng Scunthorpe-United.co.uk.

Visit www.twi�er.com/sufcofficial for detailed coverage and fans’ views 24/7

WORDS: Richard Jones

Follow @NewportCounty to read about our next home opposi�on

Next at Glanford Park...

NEWPORT COUNTY WE ARE BACK IN ACTION HERE AT GLANFORD PARK IN A FORTNIGHT’S TIME WHEN UNITED ENTERTAIN NEWPORT. Here is our lookahead to the match against the Football League newcomers, who are managed by Jus�n Edinburgh.

TELL ME MORE...

Newport County may be the league’s new-boys, but they can stake claim to an interes�ng history, ranging from European CupWinners’ Cup quarter-finalists to exiles resurrected a�er financial meltdown and record-breaking campaigns. There is also the lo�ery-winning chairman.

This season marks the club’s return to the Football League a�er a quarter of a century absence, and 24 years since the club collapsed beneath the weight of financial ruin in 1989.

With debts of £330,000 Newport folded and faced evic�on from their stadium at Somerton Park due to the unpaid deficit. Thanks to 400 dedicated fans, a new club was formed that began life in the ninth �er of the English football pyramid and travelled 80 miles to play their home games at a ground-share in Gloucestershire. <> Newport defender Harry Worley.

86 | THE IRON MATCHDAY MAGAZINE

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Two late goals in the first all-welsh final against rivals Wrexham earned the club a fairytale return to league football.

By 1995, the club had returned to Wales, moved into the Newport Stadium and gained promo�on to the Southern League Premier Division to demonstrate a team on the up. In the last four years the Exiles have enjoyed two promo�ons and a £45.5m lo�ery scoop for nowchairman, Les Scadding.

Promo�on from the Conference South in 2010 was completed in style, with records set for the most points in a season (103) and a 21match unbeaten run - the longest in the league’s history.

It took just three seasons in the Conference before Newport clinched third place and a play-off spot last term. A�er Grimsby Town were dispatched in the semis, two late goals in the first all-welsh final against rivals Wrexham earned the club a fairytale return to league football.

STAR MAN...

Journeyman striker Chris Zebroski is a proven goalscorer with vast experience at this level and has already made an impact at the club

Saturday, August 31, 2013 3.00pm kick-off

<> Newport’s former Iron striker Aaron O’Connor, shown celebra�ng promo�on back in May.

since he joined in the summer.

In the season opener against Accrington Stanley, Zebroski made his full debut and scored twice as the league’s new boys convincingly dismantled the visitors 4-1. The 26-year-old has also completed spells at a host of clubs including Wycombe Wanderers, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town.

ANY OLD IRON’S...

Newport County’s top goalscorer last season was ex-Iron Aaron O’Connor, who was half of a lethal partnership with Chris�an Jolley that fuelled the club’s successful promo�on campaign. A�er just three appearances for Scunthorpe,

then-manager Brian Laws released the 19-year-old in the 2002-03 season. Since his departure from Glanford Park, O’Connor has plied his trade at a host of Conference sides before helping Newport County gain promo�on last season.

Between O’Connor, and fellow striker Chris�an Jolley, the pair shipped an impressive 36 goals.

Both were on the score-sheet in the play-off final against Wrexham, with O’Connor’s welltaken strike sealing the game.

HOW TO GET TICKETS...

Full details of how to purchase �ckets for this game can be found on page 85 of THE IRON or by visi�ng Scunthorpe-United.co.uk.

Visit www.twi�er.com/sufcofficial for detailed coverage and fans’ views 24/7

richardliamjones@live.com @rijones88 www.live4soccer.co.uk/blog/author/richard-jones/