J. Steven Wharton

J. Steven Wharton (born 11 December 1919) is the chairman and majority shareholder of Scunthorpe United FC. He became chairman at the start of the 2001-2002 season, but announced his resignation after stating that he would resign if the club were not promoted to the then titled Division Two.

Biography

He returned as chairman in 2004 after a boardroom battle with his then replacement Chris Holland. He immediately re-appointed then manager Brian Laws following his sacking three weeks earlier. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/3625103.stm Laws back at Scunthorpe] -BBC Sport Online] Along with Holland, three other board members resigned from the Glanford Park club.

He is a successful North Lincolnshire businessman, he and his family have a fortune of £33 million. He was the previous head of the Wharton shipping complex at nearby Gunness before it was sold in the summer of 2005. [Scunthorpe Telegraph newspaper]

Illness

On 17 March 2008, he suffered a suspected heart attack and was admitted to hospital. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/7300334.stm Chairman's illness shocks Adkins] - BBC Sport Online] He was released from hospital on 26 March and is presently at home recovering. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/scunthorpe_utd/7314404.stm BBC Sport Online] - Scunthorpe chairman returns home]

References