Football chairman 'dishes out banning orders to fans' who criticised him online
Scunthorpe United chairman David Hilton has been accused of issuing banning orders to fans of the club who have spoken out in criticism of him
Crisis club Scunthorpe United have allegedly banned fans who have been critical of controversial chairman David Hilton.
The Iron have endured a nightmare two years with back-to-back relegations on the pitch as a result of mounting problems off it. It looked like they were getting a fresh start when Hilton bought the club from previous owner Peter Swann in January and cleared their tax bill.
But the now-National League North side remain in considerable trouble with their debt growing further. The Athletic dropped a bombshell report earlier this month revealing Hilton was previously sentenced to two years in prison for 15 counts of fraud by false representation under a different name.
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Multiple frustrated fans who have been vocal on social media received an email from the club's supporter liaison officer on Monday (September 25) morning which read: "Good morning, the club would like to inform you of a banning order being placed on you with immediate effect. Kind regards."
Host of podcast Iron Bru, Matt Ellis, was one of those to be blocked from attending Glanford Park - which is still owned by Swann because Hilton doesn't believe it's worth the £3million price tag. They took to X, formerly Twitter, and bemoaned: "I just don’t recognise our club any more."
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User @Greeny5o1 was another, and they posted: "Punished because I tweet as myself and don't hide behind a username/faceless account. Myself and my 13-year-old son, season ticket holders, home and away and because I have my own opinions my boy now suffers because I can't take him to football. Gutted."
Fellow fans from around the country rallied to condemn the banning orders. The Times' chief football write Henry Winter shared the email, writing: "Another reminder of why the independent regulator needs to start asap."
Comedian Lloyd Griffith, who is a match-going supporter of Scunthorpe's fierce rivals Grimsby Town, replied to Iron Bru's account: "Oh mate, this is awful. So sorry to see this. Hope they see sense soon."
Hilton announced last week that he was putting the club up for sale eight months after buying it. He hit out at the lack of support he'd received in now-deleted Facebook posts over the weekend.
Daily Star Sport have contacted Scunthorpe United for comment.