Can Morecambe FC survive for a second season in League One?
The Shrimps have never been relegated in the club’s 102-year history, and go into tomorrow’s final game of their debut campaign in the third tier with a fantastic chance of survival.
The equation is now clear. Morecambe go into the final day of the season two points clear of the relegation zone.
Victory over Sunderland and Morecambe are guaranteed safety. A draw, and Morecambe would survive unless Gillingham beat Rotherham United in their game by three or more goals. If the Shrimps lose, they can only be relegated if both Rotherham United and Fleetwood Town win.
There are other factors at play too. Gillingham’s opponents, Rotherham, need to win to guarantee themselves automatic promotion, and perhaps even the League One title. Fleetwood’s opponents, Bolton Wanderers, will be looking to end the season strongly at home.
Can the Shrimps defy all the odds to secure a second season in League One? It’s sure to afternoon of drama in front of a sell-out crowd at the Mazuma Stadium.
You can listen to the whole game live here on Beyond Radio. The build-up, followed by full match commentary is on 103.5FM, 107.5FM, and DAB+ from midday (12:30 kick off).
Listen to a preview of the game on The Shrimps Verdict Podcast here
‘’It’s great excitement for League One football’’, says Morecambe manager, Derek Adams.
‘’At the top of the table it’s extremely close and it’s the same at the bottom. We’ve put ourselves in a position where we know all of the permutations that would allow us to have another season in League One. We understand what we have to do.
‘’When I came in, we were in the relegation zone with an extremely tough run of fixtures that we had to navigate. We’ve picked up some really good wins and also draws that enabled us to get into this position.
‘’Sunderland have a similar scenario to us (in needing a result for a place in the League One play-offs). We understand Sunderland are on a 12 game unbeaten run but we have huge backing. It’s a sell out crowd and we’re thoroughly looking forward to it.
Morecambe go into the match at the Mazuma having lost just twice in ten games at home in 2022, a statistic that Adams says he wants to improve on even further.
‘’We’ve shown by beating Oxford, Burton here, they’ve been big wins for us, we’ve taken points at home against Ipswich and Portsmouth as well. Sunderland are a huge football club but they’re in the same division as us and that gives us a huge opportunity to get something from the game on Saturday.
‘’I’ll certainly know what’s happening elsewhere. Noone will have to tell me that, but the only result I’m really worried about is the one here. That’s the one we can control.’’
Opinion from Shrimps Live host and commentator, Dave Salmon:
Make no mistake, survival would be Morecambe Football Club’s greatest ever achievement. The Shrimps’ players can write themselves into the club’s folklore tomorrow by getting the job done.
Since the historic opening day of the season back on August 7th last year, where hope sprung eternal after a 2-2 draw at Ipswich, it’s been a real rollercoaster of emotions for the Shrimps. The next nine months have seen unbelievable highs, and crashing lows.
I’m sure even the most optimistic of Morecambe fan was beginning to feel that the game might be up after our 5-0 defeat away at Shrewsbury, but Derek has worked his magic and somehow the lads have put together a run of results that have moved the Shrimps above the dreaded dotted line.
Can we stay up? I absolutely believe we can, and will. I’m so excited to see how the drama all unfolds tomorrow. Let’s make the Mazuma a real cauldron of noise, be that 12th man for the team, and roar the Shrimps over the line, and then the celebrations can begin, long into the Bank Holiday weekend.
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