Ex-Bantam Scales excited by Scunthorpe move

Scales is among a flurry of new faces at relegated Scunthorpe - a move he compares to the pressure of playing for City in League Two.

The Iron are contemplating their first year in the sixth tier after back-to-back relegations.

But the former Bantam is excited by the challenge of making the first step in restoring their battered reputation.

Scales said: “There’s going to be a lot of spotlight on us. It’s a bit like Bradford City in League Two, they shouldn’t be down there, but they are and you’ve just got to do things right.

“They’ve obviously had a lot of stuff go wrong for them and hopefully this year we can turn it around.

“It’s going to be a newish squad with 10 signings so far. There won’t be players who were there with them in League One so it’s a completely new start.

“We just need to get the ball rolling and have a really good season that we can then build on.

“The fans will just want a team they can get behind. If we can pick up some good results and put in good performances, that’s the main aim.

“Hopefully that will put us at the very top end of the table.”

Kian Scales celebrates his goal for City at Colchester (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Scales played 42 games on loan at Farsley last season and new boss Clayton Donaldson was keen to make his signing permanent after the versatile midfielder was released from Valley Parade.

But the chance to stay full-time and play for the biggest name at that level was too tempting an offer to turn down.

“Compared to other teams, Scunny will have miles better facilities and resources,” added Scales.

“We’re still full-time and there are probably only a handful of teams in the league who are the same.

“I have so much time for Farsley and how they helped me out last year. I absolutely loved it.

“I learned so much about myself, staying fit and what it’s like to be playing every Saturday and Tuesday.

“We did 12 on the spin over three months. To do that, you’ve just got to grind out performances and I proved I could handle it.

“But staying full time was a big thing for me. You can always keep getting better, you’re in every day working on yourself and keep building in a full-time environment.”

Scales also believes the move will strengthen his chances of a return to EFL football. He played 27 times for City after being given his debut by Stuart McCall in 2020.

“I did well at Bradford in my first year,” said Scales, who scored a superb goal at Colchester during that behind-closed-doors campaign.

“Obviously the change of manager (to Derek Adams) didn’t really suit any of the young lads.

“It just changed a little bit and we had to go elsewhere to find opportunities.

“But that’s football. It’s a game of opinions.

“I needed to play games and prove to people I could do it. Thankfully Scunthorpe have seen that and they want me to do that for them.

“Scunthorpe and I will both want the same things. They don’t want to be in the National League North longer than a season and neither do I.

“I want to keep building on last year with another good season and then see where that takes you.

“I do believe I have the ability to play in league football.”