The 2004-05 campaign delivered a glorious promotion for Scunthorpe as The Iron surged to a spectacular 2nd-place finish in League Two, clinching automatic promotion. Leading the charge was the clinical striker Paul Hayes, whose 17 goals proved decisive in a campaign built on relentless attacking momentum and a strong team spirit under manager Brian Laws. It was a standout year that marked the club's successful return to the third tier of English football after an eight-year absence and remains a defining chapter in The Iron's modern history.