Odds: 66/1



Last Five Seasons

2005/06 - 12 (League One), 2004/05 - 2 (League Two, Promoted), 2003/04 - 22 (League Two), 2002/03 - 5 (League Two), 2001/02 - 8 (League Two).

2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup Third Round vs Manchester City (a) - lost 3-1.

Carling Cup Second Round vs Birmingham City (h) - lost 2-0.

Football League Trophy Northern Section Quarter Final vs Hereford United (a) - lost 2-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Billy Sharp (striker) - 24 goals.

Players In

Ramon Calliste (Liverpool - Free), Joe Murphy (Sunderland - Free), Dave Mulligan (Doncaster Rovers - Free).

Players Out

Peter Beagrie (Grimsby Town - Free), Wayne Corden (Leyton Orient - Free), Richie Ryan (Boston United - Free), Tommy Johnson (Tamworth - Free), Paul Musselwhite (Eastleigh - Free), Tom Evans (Released), Andy Parton (Released), Nathan Stanton (Released), Adam Capp (Released), Rob Smith (Released).

Scunthorpe United has a solid first season in League One following their promotion a year before and finished in a respectable twelfth placed position. Manager Brian Laws will be hoping for more of the same next season.

There were two main success stories last season, namely 24 goal striker Billy Sharp, who signed for just ?100,000 from forward heavy Sheffield United last August. After helping himself to a glut of goals last season he will be worth a lot more than the paltry sum paid for him a season ago but Laws must try and keep to build on last season's success.

The other success was evergreen Peter Beagrie, who, at 40 years old, played last season as though he was 20 years younger but has now left the club after five years and signed for League Two outfit Grimsby Town.

Laws has tried to bring down the average age of the squad and after allowing Beagrie to leave, signed Wales under 21 prospect Ramon Calliste. The 20 year old striker began his career at Manchester United before moving to Liverpool last season but has now signed a one year deal at Glanford Park.

New Zealand international full back Dave Mulligan arrived from Doncaster Rovers while twice capped Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Joe Murphy joined from Sunderland. A host of older players have been allowed to leave the club, including goalkeeping duo Tom Evans and Paul Musselwhite. Evans made almost 300 appearances for the Irons following his switch from Crystal Palace in 1997 while Musselwhite made over 80 appearances for the club during the past two years.

Verdict

Laws wants to build a younger team and the capture of Ramon Calliste could be as successful as Billy Sharp a year ago. Sharp's goals will be the key to success again this season as Scunthorpe will want to preserve their status first then climb up the table second.