Rotherham United take on Scunthorpe United this evening at Don Valley in a pre-season friendly and we managed to catch up with Iron fan, Max, who kindly answered some questions for us
How long have you been following Scunthorpe
Since I was a wee lad to be honest. Got my first season ticket when I was 10, and it’s been a non-stop rollercoaster ever since
Can you remember your first game
Yep, we were absolutely tonked in a pre-season friendly by Nottingham Forest. Still gave me the football bug though!
You must have been disappointed with last season. Do you think it would have made any difference if Alan Knill had come in sooner?
Relegation is always disappointing, but under the circumstances – it was hardly surprising. I’m not sure it would’ve made any difference to be honest. Our previous boss Ian Baraclough was doing a good job under difficult circumstances – and was treated poorly by the club’s hierarchy. I don’t think Mourinho would’ve kept us up last season.
What are your thoughts on Knilly?
Knill has quickly become very popular. A few great results at the end of last season, including thrashing QPR, gave us brief hope – and he seems like a very good appointment, being an ex-Iron skipper of course. Can only hope he’s given good time and reasonable resources.
What is the best game you have seen the Iron involved in
) Now that’s a really tough one. Title wins, Play-off and Wembley triumphs, beating Newcastle et al, have got to be up there. But the absolute best, definitely has to be coming back from 2-0 down very late on, to stay up in the Championship at home to Reading in April 2010. Simply epic.
Who, for you, is the best player to have ever pulled on a Scunthorpe shirt
If it’s all-time, the very best Iron has got to be Kevin Keegan. Liverpool, European Player of the Year, captaining – and managing England. His record speaks for itself… Just wish we’d had him up front last season!
Favourite and least favourite grounds you have visited
I’d have said Wembley if it hadn’t been full of 45,000 Millwall fans at the time! Personally, Turf Moor was the bees’ knees as the pies were lovely, the away end giant and cut by the players’ tunnel, and it’s fantastically old-school. Worse? Probably the soul-less Keepmoat at Doncaster. Especially with their bloody outrageous prices!
When Rotherham United is mentioned, what are your first thoughts
Robbing you blind and beating you 1-0 at home in League One back in 2006/7. Beckford scored the goal of the year from 30 yards, but you battered us – missing an open goal and a penalty in the process. Sorry!
With all the rumours involving Scunthorpe and Adam Le Fondre what are your thoughts on ‘our’ striker and could he do a job for you
I’d love to have Le Fondre on our books – especially as last season we were woefully short of goals, and I’ve seen no signing so far that looks like addressing that completely. He looks lively, energetic – and best of all talented. His attitude looks poor at times, but 20 goals in League One and nobody would care.
In League One, I certainly think he could do a job for us, although I have my doubts that he’ll actually end up donning the claret & blue, especially if your price tag is North of £300k. A player + cash deal wouldn’t be as popular in North Lincolnshire – but might have to be the way forward.
Can you go straight back up at the end of the season
Tough one. If we can somehow keep hold of Michael O’Connor and snap up Le Fondre – we’ve definitely got a fighting chance. If we do neither we’ve got no chance. League One will be extremely competitive this year, and I don’t think this current Iron side is as strong as the previously promoted two.
Thanks for doing this Max and good luck for next season!
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