The head of Morecambe FC's official charity says their projects at the club will continue "until somebody puts a padlock on the front door".
Stuart Glover, CEO of the Morecambe FC Community Foundation, said the charity is thankful to the goodwill of staff - who haven't been paid in full for more than two months - for continuing to open up the stadium.
Mr Glover spoke to Beyond Radio at the club on Wednesday, as the Foundation was running a prehabilitation event for people with cancer - one of its many regular sessions at the Morecambe ground on Christie Way.
The charity also runs numerous community projects across the local area, for fans of all ages, and has won awards for its work supporting Armed Forces veterans.
LISTEN to our interview with Stuart Glover
Below, an Armed Forces veterans coffee morning at JB's Bar at Morecambe FC in 2024.
Mr Glover said he wanted to get the message out there that the charity is independent of the club, governed by a board of trustees with its own processes and procedures, and bank account.
"The negative impact of the current situation is resonating across everybody," he said.
"There's a lack of understanding of people knowing the difference between us and the football club.
"Our soccer school numbers are down, because I suspect people are thinking the money's going to come into the football club and (wondering) where does it go?
"We've been affected by relegation (from League 2) because we've had funding taken from us, because we don't have the league status any more. Other funding we have access to is being jeopardised now, if we are kicked out of the league. Programmes and particularly young people will be adversely affected.
"It's business as usual for us. I think it's all getting lost in the negativity and noise around the ownership, which I completely understand.
"But we're still here, still delivering services, proudly wearing that badge to be able to do that, and long may that continue."
Mr Glover said the Foundation, at peak times, has around 1000 people a week taking part in its various programmes, which also include work in local schools, with young offenders and with foodbanks.
He said he is hoping regular events including the Junior Reds for young supporters and the monthly veterans coffee mornings can still be held at the club.
Below, youngsters from the Junior Reds event at the football club, pictured on July 29. Image: Morecambe FC Community Foundation.
"These things are at risk if this venue gets a padlock put on it," he said.
"We've had offers from other organisations to host our stuff, which is great. But it's not the Mazuma. And that's the USP that the football club provides for everybody.
"We're currently going week to week. We're relying on the good will of one or two members of staff to open the place up, then we bring our own brew stuff, and run the sessions.
"A couple of the old folk were pleading with us, is (their session) still going to happen?
"I said yeah, until somebody puts a padlock on the front door and we have the goodwill of staff, we will run things here. Hopefully that will continue into the future and if not, if we have to move it, we have to move it. We'll see what happens at that point."
Mr Glover also praised the staff who are still working at the club for their "quality, commitment and dedication".
"We get paid, because we're independent.
"But coming here and seeing friends and colleagues, and the moods they are in, and the affect that it's having on their home life and personal finances, is absolutely tragic."
Mr Glover said the charity was "sustainable" although changes would have to be made, should Morecambe FC go under.
"Initially, we can continue.
"We generate our own income and we get grants for various projects which funds some of the staff.
"We had 40-odd volunteers on match days, Shrimpettes, ball boys, support liaison officers and young people coming for work experience...that will be taken from us.
"We may need to rebrand in the short term if there is no Morecambe FC.
"Should the worst happen and a phoenix club arises, we need to be part of those discussions.
"We will be able to open some doors on finances and funding, potentially, as a charity, we've got paid staff including myself who can throw ourselves into that, and a network of contacts for 100 plus community football charities, so we can lean on clubs for advice and guidance.
"I've been talking to Scunthorpe United, who were two hours from going bang a few years ago, so getting some advice from them is very useful.
"But short-term, we're OK. Financially, we're OK.
"The message is clear. We stand side by side with the staff here. We want to see the football club remain. It has to remain.
"It's not just about the match day, it's what this building is used for day in day out.
"It's more than a football club, it's a massive community asset and we need to all do everything we can to protect that."
*Morecambe Football Club is currently suspended from the National League. The men's first team are unable to start the new league season this weekend, and has been removed from this season's National League Cup.
The club could be expelled from the league altogether after a meeting on August 20.
Staff at the club were paid only a third of their salaries in June and none in July, and a proposed sale of Morecambe FC has stalled.
Bills have been unpaid amid the financial crisis gripping the club, and the Shrimps are under a transfer embargo, preventing them from signing new players.
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