It is amazing to think that skipper Andy Crosby has only been here for just over three years, as he has become such an important figure at Glanford Park.

Crosby is 'part of the furniture' at the club now, and is an influential member of the side, as well as co-assistant manager to Nigel Adkins alongside fellow senior pro Ian Baraclough.

A key part of the Iron's two most recent promotion teams, 'Crozzer' was arguably Brian Laws' most important signing during the summer of 2004. Andy was brought in to plug a defence that conceded 73 goals the previous season.

And how that signing worked as United only conceded 42 goals last season and changed from one of the worst defences in the league to the actual best the season after.

Crosby began his career as a Leeds junior but never got a look-in at Elland Road.

He joined Rotherham in the early 1990's, getting the first team football he craved and quickly becoming known as one of the best defenders in the lower leagues.

Crosby since had spells at local rivals Doncaster, as well as Darlington, Brighton, and Oxford where he continued to make his name and became known as a leader.

His signing in May 2004 was a real coup, as the season before he had been chosen for the PFA Division Three select XI, and he did the same a year later as United's defensive rock was selected by his fellow professionals in League Two's team of the season.

Crosby immediately became a fans favourite and quickly became the club captain, taking over from Mark Jackson.

The defender signed a two-year deal and brought the best out of his defensive partner, young Andy Butler. His experience helped the youngster come on in leaps and bounds during the promotion season.

The impact of Andy signing was immediate, with the club unbeaten during pre-season, a lot of that down to the solid spine the club had down the middle - which featured Crosby and Butler in defence, Musselwhite in goal, Baraclough and Kell in midfield, as well as Steve Torpey and Paul Hayes up front.

When you add the pace and solidity of the likes of Nathan Stanton, Lee Ridley, Cleveland Taylor and Peter Beagrie you know you have a side that can trouble any in League Two.

As well as being the leader that Scunthorpe desperately needed at that time, Crozzer also scored vital goals during the promotion campaign, proving adept from the penalty spot tucking spot-kicks home against Northampton and Wycombe, and also proving dangerous in the air from corners scoring bullet headers against Southend and Cambridge.

Admittedly, during the first campaign in League One of 2005/06 Crosby struggled for form midway through, after an excellent start which saw the team flying high. He also received his first red card in an iron shirt during the televised defeat at Blackpool.

He did, however, net important goals in the wins over Barnsley, Oldham, Hartlepool and Chesterfield.

But the arrival of Steve Foster alongside him at the back for the second half of the campaign brought the best out of Crosby, and he played an important part in leading United to their highest league position in 42 years, and the following year things got even better for the duo.

2006/07 saw Crosby at his very best, scoring five invaluable goals, proving a rock on the pitch and a calming influence off it. He proved a steadying influence during the potentially rocky period when Nigel Adkins replaced Brian Laws.

The finale of that season saw Crosby lift a league trophy for the first time as skipper, and he will be eager for more success next season, in which will be his first one in the second tier of English football.