Morecambe FC crisis: "It was never the last day"

Monday, 4 August 2025 17:12

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Les Dewhirst, Morecambe FC kit man, inside the home dressing room on Monday, August 4 2025.

Staff are continuing to work at Morecambe FC amid fears that the club would officially shut down today (August 4).

Beyond Radio visited the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Monday where a small number of employees - including members of management - were still going about their duties.

No official closure date was confirmed by the staff we spoke to, and the crisis-hit club is expected to be open again on Wednesday.

This contradicts a statement released last week by prospective buyers Panjab Warriors and minority shareholders, which said that "as of Monday, 4th August, the club is officially shut".

But Les Dewhirst, who has been kit man at Morecambe FC for 30 years, speaking at the club on Monday afternoon, said: "It was never the last day, as far as I know.

"No-one ever said that to me.

"I've come down and we've been told football operations have stopped. I've got nothing else to do, so I've come down for an hour.

"I've got an empty kit room. But there's still a little bit of life here."

LISTEN to our interview with Les Dewhirst

Les, a long-time Morecambe FC supporter, became kit man in 1995/96 under then-manager Jim Harvey.

He has seen the highs and lows of the past three decades first-hand.

These included two promotions at Wembley Stadium in 2007 and 2021, and the dark days of the past six weeks when he and other Shrimps employees have not been paid their July salaries, and only a third of their June wages, amid the current ownership and financial crisis gripping the club.

"Not being paid hasn't bothered me as much," he said.

"Yes I want to be paid my wages, but I've been thinking about how people are coping around me.

"There's a lot of people had to go and find jobs, or cover what they need to cover for now."

He praised Morecambe manager Derek Adams and his assistant Danny Grainger, saying they've been "awesome".

"The gaffer has done so much. He's tried to keep everybody together and just wants to do his job.

"We've lost a lot of staff now.

"But this gaffer has worked miracles and to work with him is a pleasure."

On Monday, staff opened the club to national media who were reporting on the crisis.

Fans were invited into the stadium to see the refurbished dressing rooms and the pitch - which looked immaculate.

Below, fans inside the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Monday.

Sadly with the Shrimps suspended from the National League, no players will be changing in the dressing rooms and no league football will be played on the lush green turf when the season kicks off this Saturday.

"The pitch is looking fantastic," said Les.

"The grounds lads have been coming in, there's three lads, I'm sure they're struggling as well.

The Morecambe FC pitch, August 4 2025.

"It's unfair. It's totally unfair.

"My grandkids come here, they absolutely love it, and they're heartbroken at the moment. 10 years old. Heartbroken.

"It's so wrong. There's many other people here as well, who feel like me.

"This is us. This is Morecambe. Call us little, but we've got a heart of gold."

Les was emotional as he thanked the fans for all their support, particularly during the past few weeks.

"There are many people supporting us," he said.

"Thank you to everybody. Thank you."

Fans and people connected to the club gathered inside the club's JB's Bar for several hours on Monday, showing support to the club and its staff in their time of need.

Among them was Les Taylor, honorary life vice-president of the Shrimps and the club's first full-time commercial manager in 1979, who came to watch his first Morecambe match as a boy in 1957.

LISTEN to our interview with Les Taylor

"The club has a 105 year history," he said.

"I'm 77 this weekend and my involvement stretches back 68 years.

"For the last 40-50 years there are a lot of really good people who have taken this club forward. It's put Morecambe on the map.

"So it's an absolute complete disaster that all those people have been involved, and have taken it to where it is now, compared with one or two blokes who have really brought it to its knees in three years. That is so, so sad. It should not happen."

Meanwhile on Monday, it was announced that midfielder Tom White has left the club.

In a post on his social media, the fan favourite said: "Nobody quite understands the connection I've had towards the club over the past 13 months and I will cherish the opportunity and experience I've had representing the town. I've had to make the most difficult decision of my career and I have decided to depart for reasons that should never occur in football.

"Morecambe Football Club is special; I'm aware that I'm at risk of using all the cliches under the sun. I can't put into words how much you have all impacted my life and restored my faith in how I see the game.

"I've never played the sport for money or status, I play it to be able to represent my family and the people of the club. And I could not have picked a better set of people to represent.

"This institution needs to survive, and I'm praying it does. Keep fighting and hopefully I will see you all soon."

Over the weekend, the Shrimps Trust supporters group announced its new chairperson.

Pat Stoyles is the new chair, and Ben Cassar has been appointed as vice-chair.

Mr Stoyles will replace Tarnia Elsworth who stepped down as chair last week.

"Both Pat and Ben have played integral roles within the trust over the past year and have already contributed significantly to our efforts," said a trust spokesperson.

The trust also said that Panjab Warriors "remain ready to complete the purchase of the club and to settle all outstanding financial obligations, including unpaid wages and VAT".

"They are the only approved party willing and prepared to take over and stabilise the club.

"We continue to urgently call on Jason Whittingham (of owners Bond Group Investments) to complete the sale without further delay.

"We remain in regular contact with our representative at the National League who has confirmed that dialogue with Jason Whittingham is ongoing.

"Crucially, we have been assured that no other parties - aside from Panjab Warriors - have approached the league regarding a purchase of Morecambe FC.

"We continue to press for clarity, transparency and urgency in these discussions, fully aware of how criticial timely progress is to the future stability of our club."

The statement on Thursday from Panjab Warriors and the minority shareholders action group, said:

"It is with deep sadness and urgency that we issue this joint statement on the critical situation facing Morecambe Football Club.

"Without immediate action, our historic 105-year-old club faces total collapse within days.

"The club’s academy will cease operations by the end of this week.

"No insurance is in place. Players and staff can no longer afford the basic costs of travel. Parents and player agents are requesting releases to leave the club immediately.

"Losing our academy will be devastating for local children and aspiring footballers. This is a hammer blow to the community.

"As of Monday, 4th August, the club is officially shut.

"£0 in the bank and no cash on site means operations cannot continue.

"Senior staff have taken the heartbreaking decision to stop working after months of holding the club together under impossible circumstances.

“A proud 105-year-old institution is now completely stalled."

On Friday, in an interview with Radio Lancashire, Neil Wainwright from the club's Academy said it was "paused" rather than closed.

"Closing, or ceasing as (said in) the statement that came out yesterday, means that's it, completely done," he said.

"That's not the case at all.

"We are pausing activities until the club is sold or we know what's going on.

"Come August 20 it might be a completely different story. But it's an Academy pause rather than an Academy close.

"However the situation is currently, we're still hoping against hope that the club can be sold and we can get back to normal service.

"I know exactly why the statements are going out, in terms of Panjab Warriors and the minority shareholders, I know why they're doing it, but sometimes it can confuse people a little bit."

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 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.

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.

Morecambe FC crisis: Football club to "officially shut" on Monday, say would-be owners - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC fans' group chair to step down from role - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: First team football operations at club have stopped - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Lifeline for Shrimps as buyers "ready, willing and able to proceed" - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Shrimps suspended from National League - reaction - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Shrimps suspended from National League - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: National League threatens "further sanctions" amid fears for future of club - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC Crisis: High Court ultimatum as shareholders give owner 48 hour deadline to sell - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Pre-season match "will go ahead" amid dismay over club's future - Beyond Radio

INTERVIEWS: "Anger, frustration, sadness" - Fans unite at Morecambe FC over club crisis - Beyond Radio

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