By Joe Jones
Notts County against Scunthorpe United is a relatively new fixture in English football - the first time these two faced off was on the 4th January 1969 in the old Division Four.
On that day, goals by George Kerr and Nigel Cassidy gave the Iron a 2-1 victory - Richie Barker netted the consolation for the Magpies.
Since then, the two sides have played 27 further games, and the record is firmly in the Magpies' favour, winning 18, drawing 4 and losing just 6.
The last fixture took place on 9 August 2016, also in the first round of the League Cup, also at Glanford Park, and it finished 2-0 to the Iron.
Scunthorpe United were formed in 1899 - in 1910 they merged with local rivals Lindsey United to become Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, and joined the Midland Football League in 1912.
In 1950 the club was accepted into the Football League, ahead of Workington and Wigan Athletic, when the league structure was expanded, with the "Lindsey" part of the name being dropped shortly after.
Ever since the club entered the league their nickname has been ‘The Iron’, a metal which has long played a role in the team’s nomenclature. Before 1950s Scunthorpe United were known as the Knuts.
The origin is uncertain but it is generally accepted as being when they won one of the local charity cups. The vicar of Frodingham, the Rev Cryspant Rust, said “that indeed Scunthorpe and Lindsey United were a tough (k)nut to beat”.
For a small club, the Iron have an impressive roll call of former players and managers. The most notable is Kevin Keegan, one of England's greatest ever footballers, who played for Scunny between 1966 and 1971.
Other alumni, either in a playing or managing capacity, include Ray Clemence, cricketer Ian Botham, Ian Storey-Moore, Neil Warnock, Jermaine Beckford, Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh, and former Leicester City manager Nigel Adkins, who used to be the club's physiotherapist.
Team news
Scunthorpe United manager Graham Alexander has confirmed that former Notts County man Neal Bishop will not play as he is suffering from a dead leg.
Defender Lewis Butroid and striker Luke Williams have also just got back into training so they are likely to miss out, but aside from those three, the Iron have everyone else fit and available.
Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has no new injury worries ahead of the trip to Glanford Park, but is likely to ring the changes following the 3-0 defeat at Coventry City at the weekend.
Forward Jonathan Forte looks likely to feature following the Magpie attack's poor showing at the Ricoh Arena, as well as Nolan revealing he held a "frank discussion" with the ex-Scunthorpe man.
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