Origins and 1970s Speedway in Scunthorpe began on 3 May 1971 at the
Quibell Park Stadium (an athletics stadium and velodrome). The inaugural season consisted primarily of a team known as the
Scunthorpe Saints, who raced a series of challenge meetings at the stadium. The following year in 1972, the team joined the British league system, when they competed in the
1972 British League Division Two season but finished bottom of the table. Changes were made for 1973, with promoter Brian Osborn bringing in multiple new signings including
Ken McKinlay. The Saints continued to race in the second tier of British speedway, which from 1975 was known as the National League. However, the seasons were disappointing with the team struggling at the foot of the table. Major changes took place during 1979, the first being a change of venue to
Ashby Ville Stadium. Promoter Brian Osborn was forced to find a new home following issues with the athletics club and North Lincolnshire council over track conditions. In conjunction with the move, the Saints also changed their name from the Saints to the Stags.
1980s The team continued to compete in the second division and continued to produce moderate results, only managing a best finish of 5th place during the
1983 National League season. Riders came and went and in the Summer of 1984 the promotion was taken over by Tony Nicholls, who had plans to expand Ashby Ville. For the start of the 1985 season,
Eric Boothroyd was brought in as the new team manager. Events began to deteriorate when the captain
Rob Woffinden was injured and the team suffered heavy losses. Tony Nicholls then revealed financial losses and the team were disbanded in May 1985.
2000s A team known as the
Scunthorpe Scorpions appeared in a couple of fixtures during 2003, which subsequently led to a search for a track. The North Lincolnshire Council offered a 10-acre plot of land on Normanby Road and work began on creating a new venue. Promoters Rob Godfrey and Norman Beeney opened the track for practice in 2004 before the first meeting was held on 27 March 2005, ending a twenty-year absence. The Scorpions took their place in division 3 (the
2005 Speedway Conference League). The following season the Scorpions signed
Tai Woffinden and
Josh Auty and the Scorpions won their first silverware, winning the playoffs after finishing second in the regular season table. The team also won the Knockout Cup to win the double, in addition to the Conference Trophy and pairs championship. The
2007 Speedway Conference League resulted in a second successive league and cup double, the Conference Trophy and fours event. The team was inspired by Tai Woffinden, who would later become a three times world champion. After three successful years in the Conference League the side were accepted into the
Premier League (division 2) for 2008, but lost Tai Woffinden to Rye House. However they did achieve a mid-table finish in 2008 and 2009. The club also introduced a junior side called the Saints (after the original name of the club) who would continue riding in the
Conference League and later the
National League with the main aim to develop riders for the Premier League side.
2010s In 2012, the Scorpions won their highest honour to date, winning the
2012 Premier League after defeating the Somerset Rebels 92-91 on aggregate in the play off final. The team included
Nick Morris, Josh Auty,
Thomas Jørgensen,
David Howe and
Michael Palm Toft. In 2017, the Premier League became the
SGB Championship.
2020s Following a season lost to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Scorpions continued to race in the second tier Championship, entering their 15th season in the division in 2023. In 2023, spearheaded by
Ryan Douglas, the Scorpions created a shock by winning the
SGB Championship Knockout Cup, defeating favourites
Poole Pirates 92-88 on aggregate in the final. == Season summary (1st team) ==