Former Morecambe Football Club co-chairmen break silence after shock resignation from board

Two Morecambe FC former co-chairmen have issued a statement after resigning from the board of directors.

Rod Taylor and Graham Howse left their roles as directors with immediate effect, the club announced on Monday.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, they said a combination of them not being included in the club business matters as they would expect to be in their role of directors, coupled with their concerns over a number of key staff leaving the club and not being replaced, meant their positions were untenable.

‘’There appears to be a lot of rumour and counter-rumour circulating regarding my and Graham Howse's resignation from the board of directors of Morecambe Football Club yesterday,’’ said the statement posted on Mr Taylor's social media page.

‘’It is with great sadness that after decades of proud service to the football club we can no longer continue in our current roles. We are not included in operational, financial, or strategic matters at the club which conflicts with our fiduciary responsibilities as directors of a limited company.

‘’The club is haemorrhaging key staff, the General Manager has resigned, as has the Finance Manager, Head Chef, Academy Manager and now our Senior Safeguarding Manager and HR Consultant, and these roles are yet to be filled.

‘’Following the departure of the Commercial Manager, interviews took place for a Business Development lead, yet weeks later, no appointment has been made to fill this crucial role.

‘’Having discussed the matter at length with our respective families and business partners, this cocktail unfortunately brings us to the conclusion that our responsibilities as directors are not compatible with the environment we find ourselves in.

‘’It goes without saying that we will always support the football team as it's in our DNA.

‘’We do not intend to comment further on this matter and wish the club all the very best for the future.’’

Beyond Radio is aware that General Manager Rob Smith left his position at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium at the weekend, while head chef Liam Grundy departed last month and is now General Manager at the Vale of Lune rugby club.

In October, it was announced that long standing Head of Commercial Martin Thomas had left the Shrimps. He is now Chief Operating Officer at AFC Fylde, a club who play in National League North, one division below Morecambe.

Also in October, Morecambe FC advertised for a new Business Development Manager, reporting to the General Manager, "responsible for driving revenue growth through strategic commercial partnerships, ensuring that the club maximises its commercial potential".

We have contacted Morecambe FC to ask for clarification on the status of the other staff roles mentioned by Mr Taylor and Mr Howse (below).

Following the former directors' statement, on Tuesday the club released an open letter to Morecambe FC fans, from chairman Kuljeet Singh Momi. It said:

"We took on the responsibility of owning this club because we believe in its potential and in this community. That responsibility requires strong leadership, stability, and decisive action, and over the past few weeks, the club has not met that standard. That must change, and it will.

"Dear Shrimps fans,

"There has been unacceptable disruption, particularly in key operational roles. The departure of valued staff has created uncertainty, and communication from the board has not been good enough. We take full accountability for that, and we are acting immediately to restore stability.

"We also recognise the impact of the recent resignation of Rod Taylor and Graham Howse. We thank them for their decades of dedicated service to Morecambe FC, and we understand the seriousness of the concerns they raised. We are addressing those concerns directly through stronger governance, clearer leadership structure, and rapid recruitment into critical positions."

On Thursday, news broke that the UK government had sanctioned Gurpreet Singh Rehal, former head of marketing and communications at Panjab Warriors, over his suspected link to a terrorist group.

Both the club and Panjab Warriors broke ties with Singh Rehal after the government made this announcement last Thursday.

"To be absolutely clear on one point: an associate who recently appeared around the club had no financial or operational role in Morecambe FC," continues the open letter.

"His involvement has been fully terminated. We will not allow anyone to damage the integrity or reputation of this club.

"This is what is happening now:

"• Interim operational leads appointed to ensure continuity in Finance, HR and Safeguarding
"• Permanent recruitment under way for key roles, with first appointments to be confirmed within the next three to four weeks
"• A strengthened board governance structure, with clear oversight and weekly executive reviews
"• Full support for the football department, including resources for the January window and performance improvements on the pitch
"• Communication reset, including monthly updates and open dialogue with supporters

"Our commitment to this club is long-term, and we continue to fund operations while we implement these changes. We are putting in structure where there was none, adding expertise where it is missing, and setting the foundations for a sustainable, ambitious future.

"We are not asking for blind trust. We are asking you to hold us to the commitments we are setting out today.

"You will see us more.
"You will hear from us more.
"And you will see improvements quickly.

"We will be sitting down with the Shrimps Trust podcast as an ownership group, and we will engage directly with fans at the forum in January. This is your club, and you deserve clarity, honesty and a plan you can believe in.

"We are taking control of this situation and driving Morecambe FC forward. Thank you for your passion, your loyalty, and your belief in this club.

"Together, we move forward, stronger."

The club announced Mr Taylor and Mr Howse's resignation as directors on Monday.

They were co-chairmen of the Shrimps under the previous ownership, and returned to the board after Panjab Warriors bought the club in the summer.

"The board wishes to place on record its profound appreciation for the exemplary service both individuals have rendered over many years," said Mr Singh Momi.

"Their unwavering commitment, steadfast leadership, and substantial contributions have been integral to the club’s development, resilience, and continued progress through periods of both significant achievement and operational challenge.

"Mr Taylor and Mr Howse have consistently acted as distinguished ambassadors for Morecambe Football Club and the wider community, upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

"Their tenure as co-chairmen has left an enduring legacy that will remain embedded in the history and culture of the club.

"On behalf of the board, staff, players, supporters, and all stakeholders, we extend our sincere gratitude for their dedication and service.

"We wish them every success in their future endeavours."

A lifelong Shrimps fan, Mr Taylor was first appointed as a director of the club in 1994.

As well as his director's role, Mr Howse also served as club secretary for years.

Both men were front and centre of the fight to save the Shrimps during the financial and ownership crisis that gripped the club in the months and years before Panjab Warriors took control.

They also presided over the most successful period in the club's history which included them gaining promotion to their highest ever position of League One in 2021.

Before returning to the board, they stepped down as co-chairmen over the summer due to the delays in the completion of the sale of the club from Bond Group Investments to Panjab Warriors.

Other key off-field personnel at Morecambe FC include directors Mr Singh Momi, Harjit Singh and Tarnia Elsworth (director of fan engagement); and CEO Ropinder Singh.