A Morecambe FC fans group has slammed the club's owner for "another empty, meaningless statement" after he said he was continuing to "work with a number of potential buyers".
The Shrimps Trust said that under the ownership of Bond Group Investments and Jason Whittingham "we've been left with no players, no income, and a mountain of debt".
This came after Mr Whittingham broke his silence on the crisis at the club, releasing his first public update in 15 days, on Monday.
Morecambe FC is currently suspended from the National League, who will meet to discuss possible expulsion on August 20, and club operations have virtually ground to a halt amid unpaid bills and staff wages.
In a statement released on the Morecambe FC online channels on Monday, Mr Whittingham said:
"We continue to work with a number of potential buyers to secure the future of Morecambe Football Club, all of whom are aware of the urgency of the club’s position and fully expect this process to complete this week.
"There has seen a flurry of interest over the last month, and each potential buyer has been given the required information and support in order to finalise their intention and plans toward the club and the community."
He accused prospective buyers Panjab Warriors, a UK-based investment company, of "continuing to issue statements that bear no relevance to actual events, are unhelpful and quite frankly bemusing".
"That said we have agreed to a mediation meeting with Panjab, for this Wednesday, and await them confirming final details," he said.
"Despite Panjab’s recent comments it was Bond Group that formally invited Panjab to mediation but received no response from them."
Beyond Radio has contacted Panjab Warriors for comment and had no response as we went to press.
Mr Whittingham's statement yesterday continued:
"Those not directly involved in this process choose to make uninformed statements for their own self-promotion, including Members of Parliament.
"None of these people have made any effort to contact Bond Group in order to discuss the situation directly but instead use their platforms to spread inaccurate information which is irresponsible and has affected the sale process.
"Key stakeholders of the club are regularly updated, as we along with our advisory team engage with buyers and remain fully supportive of the process.
"We will be appointing an interim board imminently to facilitate the final stages of the sale process.
"More to follow."
Mr Whittingham is the sole director of Bond Group who have owned the club since 2018 and put it up for sale in September 2022.
He has released a number of public statements over the past six weeks, while Morecambe FC has teetered on the brink of collapse.
In his most recent of these prior to Monday, on Sunday July 27, he said Bond Group "had agreed to an offer, made by a representative of, and on behalf of, the Panjab Warriors, and are ready to sell on that basis.
"Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them. We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale."
Panjab Warriors was given clearance by the English Football League (EFL) in June, to proceed with a purchase of the club.
Below, former Morecambe FC co-chairmen Rod Taylor and Graham Howse, with Gurpreet Singh from Panjab Warriors, pictured in June
Earlier in July, Mr Whittingham said final terms to sell the Shrimps to Panjab Warriors had been agreed, and the sale would complete on July 7.
But he then said "extra time" was needed to complete, before then saying on July 9 that a new buyer had come forward and agreements would be signed that evening.
Then on July 18 he said the consortium buying Bond Group's major shareholding in Morecambe FC is "led by Mr Jonny Cato" and that "sales agreements will be completed today".
Panjab Warriors has accused Mr Whittingham of holding the club hostage and threatened legal action.
On July 29, as part of a joint statement alongside club minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge, Panjab Warriors said they were "ready, willing and able to proceed with the purchase immediately" and "the funds required to clear the necessary liabilities would be met forthwith...this would see the payment of all outstanding wages and other immediate liabilities".
Then on August 8, Panjab Warriors said they had "made consistent efforts to engage constructively with both Jason Whittingham and (his associate) Colin Goldring in order to conclude the long-overdue sale of Morecambe Football Club.
"At the request of Jason and Colin, we agreed to a meeting facilitated by an independent mediator - someone chosen by them but mutually known and trusted by both sides. We awaited confirmation of the time and location.
"On 06 August 2025 (Wednesday) morning, the nominated mediator informed us that Jason and Colin had agreed to attend the meeting in Central London on 07 August 2025 (Thursday), with the final details to be confirmed by midday. However, despite this assurance, we were informed later that evening that Jason and Colin had once again cancelled the meeting, providing weak and unconvincing excuses.
"Yesterday morning, the independent mediator—appointed by Jason and Colin themselves—confirmed that he will no longer be facilitating discussions, citing a complete lack of sincerity and commitment from them.
"This ongoing pattern of avoidance must end. We urge Jason and Colin to stop prolonging the suffering of everyone impacted by the current crisis at Morecambe FC.
"The time has come to complete the sale that has already been agreed, so the club, its staff, supporters, and community can finally move forward."
On August 8, a group of Sikh MPs, Gurinder Singh Josan, Jas Athwal, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Sonia Kumar, Baggy Shanker, Jeevun Sandher, Kirith Enthistle and Warinder Juss released a statement thanking the Prime Minister and Lizzi Collinge for "their continued leadership and support in raising the urgent situation at Morecambe Football Club".
"We stand in full support of the people of Morecambe, the club's dedicated fan base, and the prospective owners Panjab Warriors, whose actions thus far have shown them to be the right custodians for the future," said their letter.
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, wrote directly to Mr Whittingham on July 10.
A copy of the letter, released publicly by Ms Collinge, is below.
Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, also wrote to Mr Whittingham on August 1, and released the contents of the letter.
The Shrimps Trust supporters group released a statement in response to Mr Whittingham, on Tuesday.
"Like the rest of the football community, we watched in disbelief as yet another empty, meaningless statement was issued this afternoon.
"Jason Whittingham continues his desperate attempt to shift blame for a crisis that is entirely of his own making.
"This isn't new; it's been weeks of silence, spin and vanishing acts while the club has crumbled around him."
The statement referred to an incident on August 4, when Mr Whittingham was approached by BBC reporters outside his home.
"His refusal to face the BBC on his own doorstep says everything about his complete failure to communicate.
"Over the last two weeks, we've had international coverage across many news outlets. Jason Whittingham has responded to none of them.
"It is laughable to suggest that he would have responded to government officials, when they have in fact already reached out to him directly.
"The National League have confirmed to the trust that, to their knowledge, no party other than Panjab Warriors has approached them for the required approval for a change of control at Morecambe FC. This underlines the importance of accuracy and transparency when communicating with supporters about the ongoing sale process.
"We wish to put on record our support for all Members of Parliament who have offered assistance and taken action to protect the future of our club. Constructive involvement from elected representatives is both welcome and necessary when the future of a valued community asset is at risk.
"Despite the seriousness of the current situation, Jason Whittingham has not communicated with the newly elected trust management team. We have made attempts this week to contact him, but these were unsuccessful.
"In addition, we note Bond Group's intention to appoint an interim board. No information has been provided to the trust about who these individuals are. Any appointed director would need to pass the Owners' and Directors' Test. At this point, we believe the National League are not aware of any candidates being put forward.
"The only obstacle to the sale of the club is Jason Whittingham. Under his mismanagement, we've been left with no players, no income, and a mountain of debt. He hasn't just run the club into the ground, he's burying it."
The trust is now chaired by Pat Stoyles, after previous chair Tarnia Elsworth stepped down last month.
Beyond Radio has contacted Mr Whittingham twice in recent weeks but we have had no response as we went to press.
We have also contacted the National League for comment and have had no response as we went to press.
Over the past week, Morecambe FC goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne spoke of his regret upon leaving the club due to the ongoing crisis.
Posting on X on August 7, he said: "This is a tough one today.
"I want to thank everyone at Morecambe FC for the last year. I didn't want it to end like this. I am praying for all the staff, players and fans that positive news comes soon. I've loved every minute. Sorry we couldn't do better for you.
"Morecambe gave me one of the best days of my career at (the FA Cup third round game in January) at Chelsea. The thought of the club not being able to give you fans and players like me, memories like that any more is shameful.
"The Shrimps family deserves better. Love to you all.
"Jason, just do the right thing...PLEASE."
MORECAMBE FC CRISIS: TIMELINE OF EVENTS SO FAR
Friday June 27: The Morecambe FC board of directors reveal that the planned sale of the club to sports investment firm Panjab Warriors is on the brink of collapse, just weeks after the prospective new owners gained clearance from the English Football League (EFL) to proceed with a takeover. The board said owners Bond Group Investments were "considering reneging on the deal". Players and staff at the club were due to be paid their monthly salaries, but hadn't received the money from the owners.
Tuesday July 1: The board gives Bond Group an ultimatum, sell to Panjab Warriors or the club faces being put into administration. By this point, staff have been paid around a third of their wages.
Wednesday July 2: Jason Whittingham from Bond Group denies "stalling" over the deal, says he still intends to sell but that "any transfer of shares (has to be) done in a way that holds no recourse for either the club or Bond Group". He says he intends to "resolve the matter of staff salaries" and wants to "avoid administration at all costs". As such, he says he has begun the process of dismissing the board. All five board members - co-chairmen Rod Taylor and Graham Howse, and James Wakefield, Charles Appleyard and Mick Horton (below) - are terminated as directors at Companies House, although minutes of a Shrimps Trust meeting reveals all five had resigned before this.
Thursday July 3: Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale , says in Parliament that the club is "in crisis". Both she and Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, call on Bond Group to complete the sale. In a further statement, Jason Whittingham says "work continues to complete the sale process and give Morecambe Football Club the fresh start the club and its community deserve". Sponsors Bay Camera and Communications Ltd say they will stop sponsoring the club until it is sold.
Friday July 4: Mr Whittingham says the long-awaited sale will complete on Monday July 7 and that final terms have been agreed with Panjab Warriors. The board of directors, he said, have been invited back to "support the final stages of the sale process". The five directors are then reappointed. The Shrimps Trust said they had spoken to Kuljeet Singh Momi of Panjab Warriors, who confirmed an agreement had been reached. But, said the trust: "If a deal is indeed agreed, we do not understand why it needs the weekend to complete."
Monday July 7: Mr Whittingham says the sale will not complete on Monday as extra time is needed for "final items" to be signed off and "it’s likely we will need tomorrow to complete the sale.’’ In response, the board of directors resign again. Mr Whittingham also says there has been "a campaign of abuse" against him and his family on social media and this has "put off at least two potential buyers" of the football club.
Tuesday July 8: Panjab Warriors say everything is ready for them to take charge and accuse Mr Whittingham of holding the club hostage. As the new Football Governance Bill passes through the Commons, Lizzi Collinge calls on the Morecambe FC owner to "sign the damn paperwork". Morecambe beat Longridge 2-1 in their first pre-season friendly.
Wednesday July 9: Jason Whittingham says a new buyer has come forward and agreements will be signed "this evening". The Shrimps Trust respond by saying that the National League had not been made aware of the alternate buyer.
Thursday July 10: Panjab Warriors say they are "currently seeking legal advice and will begin exploring all legal avenues, including action for misrepresentation and recovery of funds". Meanwhile, events and functions at the football club are having to be cancelled, including parties for primary school leavers, due to the ongoing issues. And Lizzi Collinge MP writes to Mr Whittingham saying she is "baffled and saddened" by the situation at the club.
Friday July 11: Tarnia Elsworth of the Shrimps Trust said the club was "effectively grinding to a halt". The club is, by now, under a transfer embargo preventing them from signing new players.
Saturday July 12: Panjab Warriors has raised formal complaints with the National League. They have called for an investigation - alleging breaches of the Owners' and Directors' Test (OADT) which owners have to pass to show they are fit and proper to own a football club.
Monday July 14 In an interview with 'The Ugly Game' website, Rod Taylor, former co-chairman of Morecambe, says the club has "only days left, literally days.”
Tuesday July 15: Fans club together to raise money for a treat for the playing staff, who still have not been paid in full. Morecambe defeat Hyde United 5-2 in a pre-season friendly.
Wednesday July 16: Morecambe announce their upcoming pre-season fixture against Barrow AFC on Tuesday July 22 at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium will now be played behind closed doors.
Thursday July 17: The Shrimps Trust reveal the name of a person they say that two different sources have told them is in talks over the sale. Mr Whittingham released a statement saying "recent guesses" on the identity of a prospective new buyer of the club are "not accurate".
Friday July 18: Beyond Radio and national media visit the club to speak to former directors and fans about the crisis. Mr Whittingham releases a statement saying the consortium buying Bond Group's major shareholding in Morecambe FC is "led by Mr Jonny Cato" and that "sales agreements will be completed today" with a "further announcement to follow today". No further announcement is made.
Saturday July 19: Morecambe draw 1-1 away at Marine in a pre season friendly. Panjab Warriors "express deep concern and strongly contest yesterday’s public announcement by Mr Jason Whittingham regarding a proposed sale of Morecambe Football Club to a consortium including named individual Mr Jonny Cato".
Sunday July 20: Morecambe FC announces its pre-season friendly with Barrow, scheduled for Tuesday July 22, has been cancelled.
Monday July 21: The Shrimps Trust supporters group say that "we understand that the (Barrow) fixture on Tuesday has been cancelled as the players as a group have decided not to play until the current ownership situation is resolved" and "we support their decision".
Tuesday July 22: BBC Radio Lancashire report that they've spoken to Derek Adams, Morecambe FC manager, who says "the players are not on strike and they all trained today at the training ground. Their professionalism has been magnificent during this difficult time. We all want this situation to be resolved and the best outcome for Morecambe Football Club." Morecambe announces their game with AFC Fylde on Saturday will go ahead.
Wednesday July 23: A group of Morecambe FC shareholders issue an ultimatum to the owner - sell the club within 48 hours or face High Court action. Wright and Lord Solicitors, of Morecambe, say a 'minority shareholder' action could be taken against Bond Group Investments and Jason Whittingham in an effort to force the long-awaited sale of the Shrimps.
Friday July 25: The National League gives Mr Whittingham until noon on Monday to meet terms they'd outlined to him in writing. They are due to meet on Monday afternoon to "discuss possible further sanctions".
Saturday July 26: Morecambe draw 0-0 away at AFC Fylde in a pre-season friendly.
Sunday July 27: Jason Whittingham releases a public statement saying: "Bond Group Investments has continued to work with the consortium led by Jonny Cato in their efforts to acquire the majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club. Whilst talks are ongoing, it is clear that continual negative press statements impacting on the club, have given them cause for concern and pause. Alongside this, Bond Group had agreed to an offer, made by a representative of, and on behalf of, the Panjab Warriors, and are ready to sell on that basis. Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them. We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale."
Monday July 28: The planned High Court action by a group of Morecambe FC minority shareholders, hoping to force a sale of the club, has stalled. Wright and Lord Solicitors said: "Over the past week, it has proved impossible for anybody involved to directly reach any of the Panjab Warriors representatives. Without the evidential support from Panjab Warriors and their commitment to buy, any court application at this stage is futile."
The National League suspends Morecambe until August 20, affecting their first three league games of the season due to start on August 9, and also removes them from the coming season's National League Cup. The league will meet again on August 20 to discuss whether to expel the Shrimps altogether.
Tuesday July 29: Panjab Warriors, Wright and Lord Solicitors on behalf of a group of minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Lizzi Collinge release a joint statement saying: "Panjab Warriors are now ready, willing and able to proceed with the purchase immediately. The funds required to clear the necessary liabilities would be met forthwith. This would see the payment of all outstanding wages and other immediate liabilities to allow the club to prepare for the season and lift the club’s suspension and embargo from the National League. The National League are aware and ready to sanction the deal and immediately lift the suspension and embargo should the sale proceed."
Morecambe's friendly match with Lancaster City, scheduled to take place that evening, has been cancelled.
Wednesday July 30: A joint statement by Panjab Warriors, Wright and Lord Solicitors on behalf of a group of minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Lizzi Collinge, says "the first team have had to stop all football operations as the required insurance which was in place has now lapsed as payment has not been made".
Thursday July 31: A further joint statement, by Panjab Warriors and the minority shareholders action group, says "as of Monday, 4th August, the club is officially shut" unless the sale is completed. Tarnia Elsworth steps down as chair of the Shrimps Trust and is given a standing ovation by members for her work over the past year in what the trust called "undoubtedly the most challenging period in the history of Morecambe FC", during the organisation's Annual General Meeting held at the Strathmore hotel.
Friday August 1: Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, reveals she's written to Mr Whittingham calling on him to complete the sale. It is announced that an event celebrating Morecambe FC, to raise money for the Shrimps Trust, will be held at the Winter Gardens in Morecambe on August 22.
Monday August 4: Beyond Radio visits the club where a small number of employees - including members of management - are still going about their duties. No official closure date is confirmed by the staff we spoke to and the club's much-loved kit man of 30 years, Les Dewhirst, tells us that today "was never the last day".
Tuesday August 5: Hundreds of supporters queue for hours along the Promenade in a show of unity, on the first day of the three-day launch of the 2025/26 Morecambe FC kit held at the former Beach Cafe.
Wednesday August 6: Stuart Glover, CEO of the club's official charity the Morecambe FC Community Foundation, says it's "business as usual" for them and their activities will continue at the Mazuma "until somebody puts a padlock on the front door". A small number of Morecambe staff are still working inside the stadium.
Meanwhile the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, when asked about the Morecambe FC crisis by Greatest Hits Radio, says "we have to do everything we can" to protect the Shrimps and other football clubs who are struggling.
Friday August 8: Panjab Warriors release a statement saying a latest attempt to move the sale process on has been thwarted after Bond Group cancelled a proposed mediation meeting in London on Thursday.
Saturday August 9: Morecambe fans attend the opening day of the league season as invited guests of other clubs including Bury, Harrogate Town and Kendal Town. But for their suspension from the National League, the Shrimps would have been kicking off away at Boston United today.
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