John Schofield, once the man in charge at Sincil Bank, has signed a new long-term contract as assistant manager at Scunthorpe United.
Scunthorpe have confirmed that their current management team will remain in place for the foreseeable future, with first-team manager Andy Butler and assistant manager Schofield both committing their futures to the club until the summer of 2028. The new agreement was announced alongside improved terms for another former City man, long-serving goalkeeper coach Paul Musselwhite.
Promotion success and continued progress
Butler’s time in charge at Glanford Park has been marked by a rapid rise. The 42-year-old initially returned to the club in an academy role before moving into first-team coaching duties and eventually taking the managerial job in the summer of 2024.
His first full campaign as a manager proved memorable. Working alongside Schofield, Butler led Scunthorpe to promotion from the National League North via the play-offs, completing a record-breaking season for the club and securing a return to the fifth tier of English football.
Their success did not come from nowhere. Early signs were promising during the opening weeks of the 2024-25 season when Scunthorpe sat top of the table after nine matches, boasting an unbeaten run of eight games that included six wins and just two goals conceded.
They have continued to exceed expectations since stepping back up into the National League. With 12 matches remaining this season, the Iron find themselves firmly in the play-off positions, a scenario few predicted at the start of the campaign.
Chair and co-owner Michelle Harness praised the pair when confirming the extensions.
“From the moment he arrived back at the club, Andy showed outstanding leadership, professionalism, and commitment. He leads by example both on and off the pitch, setting standards that his players respect and respond to.
“He understands what it means to play for Scunthorpe United, and now he truly understands what it means to lead the team as manager.”
Harness also highlighted the partnership between Butler and Schofield as a key factor in the club’s resurgence.
“Andy is an excellent young manager who has learnt a great deal during his time back at the club, and John brings a wealth of experience.
“They complement each other well and have been instrumental in building the togetherness that exists throughout the football club.”
A familiar figure for Lincoln supporters
While Butler is the current figurehead of the project, Schofield’s presence will resonate with Lincoln supporters who remember his spell in charge at Sincil Bank, as well as his long service as a tough-rackling midfielder.
He first joined the Imps from Gainsborough Trinity in 1988 and quickly became a regular presence in the side. Over the following years he established himself as a consistent performer in midfield, eventually captaining the team and earning the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Year award during the 1993-94 season.
After retiring from playing, he returned to Lincoln in a coaching capacity and was heavily involved in youth development before stepping into the first-team set-up. In 2006, he became head coach following the departure of Keith Alexander.
His first season in charge saw the Imps play an attacking brand of football and reach the League Two play-offs, extending the club’s remarkable run of top-seven finishes during that period. Sadly, the next season started badly, some might say after he wasn’t backed in the transfer market, and he paid the price with his job.
Since leaving Lincoln, Schofield has built an extensive coaching career that has included roles at clubs such as Gillingham, Notts County and Doncaster Rovers, as well as spells working with youth development programmes and national team set-ups.
With their contracts now secured until 2028, the Iron’s management team can focus on the remainder of the current campaign and begin planning for the seasons ahead as they attempt to continue their climb back up the English football pyramid.
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