LIVE BLOG: Morecambe FC returns to play Altrincham

Morecambe FC are back for their first game since the end of a crisis that threatened the club's future and we will bring you LIVE updates from the Mazuma on this historic day.

9.40am It's match day! A match day many Shrimps fans thought they would never see. With just under three hours until kick-off against Altrincham in League One, Morecambe fans are already arriving at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

The excitement and relief is clear among every single supporter we speak to. 

Fans are soaking up the pre-match atmosphere on the concourse outside the stadium. They include friends Daniel Harrison and Ryan Breakell, and Daniel's three-year-old son Rory.

"I'm over the moon, I feel like a kid on Christmas Day," said Daniel.

"I thought my club was gone. I thought it was over. I'm just excited to see what's going to happen over the next few months."

Daniel Harrison

Ryan said: "A few weeks ago we didn't have a team, we didn't have a club, it was done. But the last week or so...lost for words.

"I'm shaking now, speaking to you. It's amazing.

"If I ever see (new owners) Panjab Warriors in person, I can't thank them enough. They've saved our team, and our community."

Ryan Breakell

Mike Saban said: "I live in between Sheffield and Chesterfield, so I set off at 6.30am to be here.

"I came up the other week and queued up, to make sure I got a shirt. I wasn't expecting this day to arrive, really.

"It's going to be an emotional day. Regardless of the result, to be able to field a team, and just compete, is amazing. You can feel the excitement in the air. You can see people coming in and out of the club shop. It's going to be a good day, it really is."

Mike Saban

10am The club shop opened this morning for the first time in weeks, with Natalie Lawson hard at work serving happy customers, including Trevor Harkup and his son Connor from Kent.

Trevor said: "It's a big day. I'm glad it's open. We've seen clubs go under and they never return, so it's good they are surviving. They've got good merchandise to buy to wear at the game. I've bought a pin badge, my wife collects them, and my boy has bought a scarf.

"It's going to be electric. The result doesn't matter. It's about players representing Morecambe Football Club. They're out there playing and that's what people have got to remember. It's just to see people out there in a Morecambe shirt, playing football, like they're supposed to. And if they score a goal, it's going to be like winning the FA Cup."

Trevor Harkup

10.30am The pitch at the Mazuma is looking magnificent as it gets a pre-match watering ahead of the return of football.

10.45am Match day announcer Mark Swindlehurst and scoreboard operator James Main are among the smiling faces happy to back at work.

10.50am The return of Morecambe FC to first-team football means the return of Shrimps Live! Beyond Radio's Dave Salmon will bring you all the match commentary LIVE from noon, kick-off 12.30pm on FM, online and on our app. Dave has said that his biggest challenge today is getting to know all the new players who have signed this week for the Shrimps - a grand total of 12. Nice shirt Dave!

11.15am Media from all over the UK are assembling overlooking the pitch and devoted Shrimps fan, Paul Morgan, has brought us chocolate biscuits! Paul is very excited for the return of the Shrimps!

It's been announced that Morecambe FC staff have put £500 across JB's Bar and the Local Choice hospitality suite bar for fans, to show love to the Shrimps family.

11.30am Outside the Mazuma, the Beyond Radio team are part of the pre-match entertainment. Christie the Cat, Shrimps mascot, is having a boogie with the Shrimpettes cheerleaders. The atmosphere is amazing!

11.40am Graham Howse, Morecambe FC director, is here with his son George. 

"Whatever the result today, we've won. It's amazing to see how happy everyone is, and that's because of the deal that's been done," said Graham.

"It's been horrendous up until last weekend. (This week) getting the stadium ready, getting the team together, has been the focus. But today, it's just fabulous."

Graham Howse

11.45am The new owners are here! The takeover by Panjab Warriors was finalised last weekend and the group are excited for their first game at the helm. Ropinder Singh (left), club CEO, tells us of his pride to be here, and the warm welcome they've had from the Shrimps community.

12.15pm The Halo Terrace is filling up, we are just 15 minutes away from kick-off!

12.30pm The match is under way! 

12.36pm Morecambe 1 Altrincham 0. Ben Tollitt scores for the Shrimps! All the pain, uncertainty and despair of the past weeks melts away amid a sea of celebration and deafening noise!

1.04pm Morecambe 1 Altrincham 1. A well taken equaliser for Jimmy Knowles dampens the party atmosphere inside the Mazuma.

1.18pm Half time score - Morecambe 1 Altrincham 1

1.30pm The Local Choice Suite is busy with fans who are loving the return of the Morecambe match day experience. Adele Laffan, club secretary, is pictured here with her family.

Mike Hutton, Ben and David Brayshaw

Bob Cragg and Martin Puckle

Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, is in the crowd supporting the team.

1.36pm The second half is under way.

1.43pm Today's attendance is announced as 3730, the highest home league crowd since Morecambe were in League One. 

2.06pm A big thumbs up for the Panjab Warriors samosas, which have been complimentary for fans today.

2.19pm We are playing 10 minutes of injury time. Shrimps goalkeeper Archie Mair pulls off a double save to keep the scores level. New manager Ashvir Singh Johal has been animated on the touchline throughout.

2.26pm It's all Altrincham but suddenly Morecambe break and substitute Daniel Ogwuru SCORES!!! Absolute bedlam in the stands! 

2.30pm Full time. Morecambe 2 Altrincham 1. It had to be, didn't it? The story has a fairytale ending with a 98th minute winner! 

Honestly, the crowd reaction when that winning goal went in was like winning the FA Cup, Euros, World Cup, Champions League and Premier League all rolled into one. Touchline celebrations were equally ecstatic!

The response of match day announcer Mark Swindlehurst sums up the feeling.

3pm Morecambe FC supporters Michael Hope and Dan Main are elated at seeing their team win their comeback match, after months of dark times at the club.

"There's just no words, the atmosphere today was brilliant, everyone did themselves proud," said Michael.

"Everyone was giving their all, on and off the pitch. I'm proud to be part of Morecambe Football Club and always will be."

Michael Hope

3.05pm Former Shrimps boss Jim Bentley, who has been here today working for BBC Radio Lancashire, is delighted to see the club win. Jim is pictured here, right, with fan Michael Hope Snr, and Morecambe goalscoring hero Ben Tollitt.

"It was written in the stars," said Jim.

"Absolute scenes when he smashed it in the bottom corner. It's been a very very difficult time, but I think the whole country will have been willing Morecambe on today.

"I would have been gutted to see it go, but to see it this week, the takeover, new manager, all new squad, and the community and the town got right behind them. Good crowd, loads of people around the ground, nice day, capped off with a fantastic result today and I'm absolutely made up for all concerned."

Jim Bentley

3.30pm That's it from a breathtaking day in the incredible recent history of Morecambe FC. We will leave you with this image of the new ownership, management and players celebrating the win.