UPDATE: Morecambe FC staff paid outstanding June wages as new owners arrive at club

Morecambe FC staff have been paid outstanding wages owed to them for June as Panjab Warriors arrived for their first full day as club owners.

Employees had only been paid one third of their June wages, and nothing for July, amid the crisis surrounding the club during the past weeks.

But on Monday afternoon, the day after the sale of the club to Panjab Warriors was finalised, all staff received the remaining two thirds of their salaries for June.

The club also confirmed on Monday, that their suspension from the National League had been lifted - and said outstanding July wages would be paid to employees by the end of Wednesday.

As payments to delighted and relieved staff came through, several representatives of Panjab Warriors began to arrive at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on their first full day as owners.

Committee members from the Shrimps Trust supporters' group, former co chairman Rod Taylor, and Lizzi Collinge, Morecambe & Lunesdale MP (below), were also there to meet with them.

In a statement on Monday evening, the club said their suspension from the National League had also been lifted.

"Morecambe Football Club is delighted to confirm that the acquisition of the club by Panjab Warriors has now officially completed, upon National League formal approval for completion of the sale to take place," it said.

"The National League have confirmed to us yesterday that the current suspension from the National League has been lifted and once all outstanding football-related debt is paid the current (transfer) embargo will also be immediately lifted. 

"We can confirm that we have received funds from our new owners Panjab Warriors this morning to pay all outstanding wages, HMRC liabilities and all other football creditors which will all be paid by Wednesday 20th August 2025 and will be in the bank accounts of all individuals by the end of Wednesday. 

"This marks the end of Jason Whittingham’s tenure as owner, who took control of the club through Bond Group Investments in May 2018. All at the club, would like to thank Jason and wish him the very best for the future."

 
A statement from Panjab Warriors said they are "delighted to become the new owners of Morecambe Football Club".

"A special mention to all the members of staff at Morecambe (both playing and non-playing) and to all players for showing true integrity and togetherness over the past few months during this difficult period. 

"We would like to thank the local community and all our incredible supporters of Morecambe FC, whose passion and resilience carried the club through some extremely difficult moments.

"It was truly great to see these fans represented with such professionalism by the Shrimps Trust, firstly under the leadership of Tarnia Elsworth and now under Patrick Stoyles (pictured below), a true example of how to channel all the different voices into one very strong robust voice that has been very instrumental in achieving this historic outcome.

"We are truly proud of the response of all, both young and old that have collectively shown such amazing strength of character in the face of such adversity. All at Panjab Warriors deem themselves very fortunate to be given this opportunity to integrate with such an amazing Fan base.

"We would also like to thank the numerous MPs, including the Prime Minister and Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport,  and Lizzi Collinge MP for her tireless support of the club, including raising its plight in Parliament, and her unequivocal support of the club throughout this summer. 

"We can now move forward and pursue our objectives of building a football operation that is on par with the best of modern standards across clubs in England. Morecambe spent 18 proud years in the EFL. It is where the club belongs, and we will do everything we can to get there again.

"Our initial aim for this season was to immediately challenge for direct promotion back to League Two, but we understand that due to the events and circumstances of the last couple of months, it will be difficult to achieve that objective this season.

"The priority for this season will be to ensure that we have a competitive team on the pitch, and rebuild the foundations behind the scenes, and develop processes, that will help us compete for promotion in the following season and beyond. 

"It is important for us that we continue to reflect our town and represent our supporters. We understand what this club means to our local community.

"We will protect the heritage of Morecambe FC, and preserve everything that makes the club what it is.

"This is a proud club with a big history and its own identity. We will make sure that that is never changed.

"We understand the pride, emotion and loyalty that is tied to the club.

"We are very ambitious and want to give Morecambe FC the platform and resources to compete at higher levels, but every step will be taken with the heart and spirit of a community led club at the core. 

"Our job is to now ensure that the good times return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium."

The club announced that the long-awaited sale of Morecambe Football Club had been completed, on Sunday evening, when Bond Group Investments said they had sold their majority shareholding to Panjab Warriors.

Read more: Morecambe FC sale completed

The club had been up for sale for almost three years, having gone on the market in September 2022.

Earlier on Sunday, the National League said they had cleared Panjab Warriors to complete the purchase.

The league said that upon receiving the sales and purchase agreement, they would lift the club's current suspension to enable them to start the season.

All remaining debts, including the remainder of unpaid wages and VAT monies owed to HMRC, must be paid before the club are allowed to sign any players.

Morecambe were suspended from the league on July 28, and have been unable to play their first three scheduled games.

The National League said on Sunday, that: "It is the intention for Morecambe's first National League game to be on Saturday 23 August at home against Altrincham FC."

We await confirmation from the club that this game will go ahead. It is scheduled for a 12.30pm kick-off.

The Shrimps' next scheduled fixtures are an away game against Aldershot on Bank Holiday Monday (August 25), then another home match with Woking on Saturday August 30.