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

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 08:20

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Morecambe FC's next pre-season fixture "will go ahead as planned" as concerns for the future of the Shrimps continue to grow.

The Shrimps have confirmed their match away at AFC Fylde will take place as scheduled on Saturday.

This comes after Morecambe's home match with Barrow, due to take place last night (Tuesday), was cancelled amid the growing crisis surrounding the club.

"We can confirm that our pre-season friendly against AFC Fylde will go ahead as planned this coming Saturday," said a statement from Morecambe FC on Tuesday.

"#UTS (Up the Shrimps) ."

The Shrimps Trust supporters group said on Monday 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".

But BBC Radio Lancashire said on Tuesday that they'd spoken to Derek Adams, Morecambe FC manager, who said "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."

Derek Adams, Morecambe FC manager.

Morecambe FC has not commented on the reason for the cancellation of the Barrow game.

Beyond Radio contacted the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), who represent Morecambe FC players, for clarification.

A spokesperson said: "As their union, we’re working closely with the players at Morecambe both in terms of issues such as completion of fixtures but also advising them on their contractual rights in the event of non-payment."

Staff at the club, including players, were only paid a third of their wages for June. Monthly salaries are due again at the end of July.

The Morecambe first team has played three pre-season friendlies in recent weeks amid the crisis enveloping the club, beating Longridge and Hyde United, and drawing with Marine.

A statement from AFC Fylde on Tuesday said: "We would like to provide the following update regarding our upcoming pre-season friendly against Morecambe this weekend.

"The club have been in regular contact with Morecambe Football Club as we seek confirmation that our fixture will go ahead as originally scheduled.

"We have received assurances that Morecambe will be able to fulfil the fixture and will be able to field a first-team squad.

"On that basis, the club would like to confidently say that the fixture will go ahead as planned, and encourage supporters to continue buying tickets both in person and online as we prepare for a crucial weekend of preparation ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

"Of course, if the situation at Morecambe Football Club changes, we will communicate with supporters as soon as possible regarding our fixture on Saturday, 26th July.

"We join the rest of the footballing community in hoping Morecambe’s difficult situation is resolved in the coming days, and we look forward to welcoming them to Mill Farm this weekend.

"Thank you for your understanding and patience."

The Shrimps are also due to play local rivals Lancaster City in a friendly at Giant Axe on Tuesday (July 29).

Lancaster City FC released a statement saying: "We would like to provide an update regarding the proposed fixture against Morecambe, scheduled for Tuesday 29th July.

"We have been in regular contact with Morecambe Football Club as we seek confirmation that the fixture will go ahead as planned. As many will be aware, there are ongoing issues at Morecambe Football Club which have made planning for this fixture more challenging than usual.

"As a club, we are very keen for the match to take place. However, as this is an all-ticket fixture with tickets purchased online, we must also consider the potential financial implications should the game be cancelled and refunds be required. Tickets for this game are not currently on sale for this reason.

"We continue to work closely with Morecambe FC and the relevant authorities and will provide a further update as soon as we are able.

"Thank you for your continued patience and understanding."

Morecambe's statement announcing the Barrow game was off, said:

"We can confirm that our scheduled pre-season fixture against Barrow AFC has been cancelled.

"The game, which was due to be played behind closed doors on Tuesday 22 July, will no longer go ahead.

"We would like to wish Barrow AFC all the best for the upcoming season."

In an interview with Beyond Radio on Friday, former Morecambe co-chairman Rod Taylor said the initial decision to play the game with no fans present was because "you cannot compromise on safety" at the ground and "senior staff here have had to take that decision, unfortunate as it is."

Morecambe are due to begin the new season in the National League on Saturday August 9.

Meanwhile, there have been no further statements from owners Bond Group Investments, or any new prospective buyer, since Friday - about a proposed sale of the cash-strapped club.

On Tuesday, Councillor Clark Kent, chair of Morecambe Town Council and a Shrimps supporter, commented on the ongoing crisis.

Councillor Kent (below) said the town council was "dismayed at the developments that have taken place at Morecambe Football Club over the past few weeks".

"Having witnessed multiple false dawns over the sale process and the saga showing no sign of coming to an end, the council feels compelled to add its voice to the chorus of people registering their anger at the current situation," he said.

"We implore Jason Whittingham and Bond Group to complete a sale as soon as possible, that staff be paid, and that our club gets back to playing football.

"We want to take this opportunity to express our solidarity with and sympathy for the staff, players and all associated with the club who are being severely impacted by the decisions being taken. It is deeply upsetting to see their wellbeing and livelihoods on the line.

"We also wish to thank our MP Lizzi Collinge, the former board of directors, the Shrimps Trust, the fans of Morecambe FC, and everyone else who has or is pulling every lever available to them to try and achieve a positive outcome and bring an end to this sorry situation.

"To finish on a more positive note, it has been truly heartening to see the people and businesses of Morecambe and Lancaster rally around our beleaguered club, doing whatever they can to help – be that saving children’s parties to offering free food to staff. Everyone in the town should be so proud of the community spirit that has been shown over the past few weeks. You’ve been an absolute credit to yourselves."

Mr Whittingham put out his latest statement on Friday, revealing the identity of the head of a consortium he says are in talks to buy the club.

He'd previously agreed terms with sports investment company Panjab Warriors, only to U-turn on the deal at the last-minute.

Panjab Warriors were given clearance by the EFL (English Football League) in June, to buy Morecambe FC.

On Saturday, Panjab Warriors put out a statement saying the company "expresses deep concern and strongly contests 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.

"This unwelcome development disregards the significant financial, legal, and regulatory steps already taken by PW to support and acquire Morecambe FC over the past 14 months," it said.

"It also raises serious questions about transparency, governance, and the continued wellbeing of the club.

"Panjab Warriors has acted in good faith throughout an unduly protracted transaction process."

Panjab Warriors also said formal legal notices of claim had been served to Mr Whittingham and Bond Group.

"We have invited Bond Group to meet with us to resolve matters.

"We remain fully committed to the long-term future of Morecambe FC, its staff, supporters, and community. Our actions have always been guided by the desire to protect the club’s continuity and rebuild it on sound financial and operational footing.

"We understand how distressing and exhausting this situation has been for fans and staff. We share your frustration - and we assure you that we are doing everything possible to bring this matter to a fair and lawful conclusion.

"It is not our desire to see Morecambe FC enter administration. However, if it becomes the only remaining route to stabilise the club, protect creditors, and prevent further damage from prolonged obstruction, there is no alternative.

"We also urge the National League and relevant football authorities to fully review the legality and feasibility of any new proposed sale.

"As this matter continues, we encourage all parties — including supporters, sponsors, and governing bodies — to remain vigilant. Panjab Warriors stands ready, willing, and able to complete the acquisition of Morecambe FC in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements."

Mr Whittingham (below), said on Friday: "An announcement had been planned for this afternoon, but due to false speculation about the buyer’s identity we have received consent to disclose the buyer’s identity.

"The consortium buying Bond Group’s interest in the club, subject to National League approval, is led by Mr Jonny Cato with an impressive group being built around him to develop the club over the coming seasons.

"Neither Jonny or his team have any connection to Jason or Bond Group of any kind and as before, nobody from the consortium has yet been named publicly. The current false speculation and guesses about the buyer’s identify are not accurate.

"Sales agreements will be completed today (Friday 18 July 2025) and will include a generous payment from the buyer to pay staff and players while the National League approval process is completed. We are grateful for this gesture of goodwill when the club and its stakeholders needed it most.

"This sale has progressed at a rapid pace and, once again, we are thankful to the buyer and his legal team for expediting the process to ensure the club’s status in the league was preserved.

"The buyers will engage directly with the National League and the fans to introduce themselves and share their exciting plans for the club.

"Further announcement to follow today."

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 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 - are terminated as directors at Companies House, although minutes of a Shrimps Trust meeting reveals all five had resigned before this.

Former co-chairmen Graham Howse and Rod Taylor

Thursday July 3: Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale (below), 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.

Sunday July 20: Morecambe FC announces its pre-season friendly with Barrow, scheduled for Tuesday July 22, has been cancelled.

TIMELINE of events from September 2022 to December 2024.

Timeline: How the Morecambe FC sale saga has dragged on for two years - Beyond Radio