December 14, 2017 1.53 pm This story is over 81 months old

Sir Ian Botham appointed club president of Scunthorpe United

He played 11 times for the club in the 1980s.

Cricket legend Sir Ian Botham has been appointed as the new club president of Scunthorpe United.

Beefy, as he is affectionately known, made 11 first team league appearances for the Iron between 1980 and 1985.

He becomes the first club president since John Godfrey died in 2015.

Scunthorpe United chairman Peter Swann said: “We had a table at the ball to mark his retirement from fundraising walks on Monday. I thought it would be great if we could offer him the opportunity to become Scunthorpe United President. He accepted it without hesitation.

“It’s a couple of seasons since we lost John Godfrey (the former president). We spoke as a board and thought Sir Ian would make an ideal ambassador for us.

“Sir Ian’s other work means he’s out of the country a lot, but he comes to watch the Iron when he can and also regularly watches on a feed when away. He’s always very vocal in his support for the club.

“He has a great affinity with the Iron and will be a fantastic ambassador for Scunthorpe United.”