Morecambe FC crisis: Shrimps suspended from National League

Monday, 28 July 2025 13:03

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A banner outside Morecambe Football Club on Monday, July 28 2025.

The National League has announced it has suspended Morecambe Football Club.

The suspension will affect at least the first three games of the new season for the crisis-hit Shrimps.

The announcement was made by the National League on Monday.

They said they would meet again on August 20 to "decide the club's ability to retain membership in the competition".

The league also said the Shrimps would be removed from the National League Cup for the season.

They said: "The National League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee reconvened this afternoon to debate the ongoing concerns surrounding Morecambe Football Club and its compliance with National League rules.

"Discussions regarding the club's ability to meet its financial obligations for the 2025/2026 season have again taken place.

"It was decided further sanctions must be imposed, with the club’s membership to be suspended with immediate effect.

"The club will also remain under embargo ahead of the new season.

"Morecambe Football Club will also be removed from the National League Cup for the forthcoming season.

"The committee will meet again on Wednesday August 20 to determine if outstanding items have been satisfied, and to decide the club’s ability to retain membership in the competition."

Morecambe's National League season was due to start on Saturday August 9, away at Boston United, followed by a home fixture against Brackley Town on August 16, and a trip to Scunthorpe on August 19.

The decision comes after the National League said on Friday that they "continue to have serious concerns surrounding Morecambe Football Club".

They said they met with club owner Jason Whittingham of Bond Group Investments last week "where discussions regarding the club's ability to meet its financial obligations for the 2025/2026 season took place".

They said they wrote to Mr Whittingham on Thursday "to outline terms that must be met by noon on Monday" and that a meeting would be held on Monday afternoon "to discuss the matter again and discuss possible further sanctions".

The suspension comes as the long-awaited sale of Morecambe FC has still not been completed.

The Shrimps have been up for sale since September 2022 and the process has dragged on while the club has twice been relegated in that time from a high point of League One.

It seemed a deal would finally be done after sports investment company Panjab Warriors was given clearance, in June, by the English Football League (EFL) to buy the club.

But after announcing he'd agreed terms to sell the club and saying it would happen on Monday July 7, Mr Whittingham did a last-minute U-turn and announced plans to sell to another buyer.

This came amid a backdrop of mounting frustration from fans, the board of directors resigning twice, only a third of the June wages being paid to staff, and significant bills being overdue.

Salaries for staff, including players and management, were due again today (July 28) and as we went to press, had not been paid.

Below, banners outside Morecambe FC on Monday, July 28 2025.

Meanwhile, a planned High Court action by a group of Morecambe FC minority shareholders, hoping to force a sale of the club, has stalled.

A statement from Wright and Lord Solicitors on Monday said: "On Wednesday 23 July 2025, we announced a planned action by a group of shareholders against Bond Group and Mr Whittingham.

"That was to seek an order from the court to appoint directors and to require the completion of the sale to Panjab Warriors if Mr Whittingham failed to conclude the transaction within 48 hours.

"We are grateful for the overwhelming support from other minority shareholders and apologise for not having had time to respond to everyone individually.

"Meanwhile, Mr Whittingham has not responded at all to the letter of claim sent to him and Bond Group Investments Limited."

The solicitors also 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," they went on.

"We believe the court process would have been successful and would have created a precedent for the protection of clubs in future.

"We are in dialogue with the EFL (English Football League) and National League who have been very helpful and supportive.

"The unfortunate truth is that going into administration will not afford the protection from liquidation that exists for other companies operating in the UK, or indeed football clubs in the EFL.

"This is due to a section in the National League rules of competition (written before the rules regarding financial fair play were introduced) which requires all liabilities to be paid in full in order to exit administration and stay in the National League.

"Entering and then exiting administration therefore would involve a sizeable payment to Bond Group Investments. Accordingly, there would be nothing to gain, and such a payment would probably be very unpalatable to contemplate.

"Our efforts continue as a group to find solutions."

Mr Whittingham announced on July 18 that a consortium negotiating to buy the club was headed by Jonny Cato, and said "sales agreements will be completed later today" with an announcement to follow later that day.

No further statement came out from the owners or any prospective buyer that day.

Then on Sunday, Mr Whittingham (below) said:

"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."

Beyond Radio has contacted Panjab Warriors for comment.

Morecambe drew 0-0 with AFC Fylde in their most recent pre-season friendly, on Saturday.

On Sunday, Liam McDermott, agent of Morecambe FC player Tom White (below), posted on LinkedIn to praise the Shrimps midfielder for his "professionalism, empathy and mentality" during the crisis.

"It's well documented what's going on at Morecambe at the moment, it's an incredibly sad and frustrating situation for all concerned," said Mr McDermott.

"But I want to share my respect and praise to this man, Thomas Alan White.

"I look after Tom but we are also very close mates so I have a deep understanding of the emotions and strains he's going through right now.

"He hasn't been paid for two months and has no idea where his future will be at the moment.

"For the first time in my career as an agent, I advised Whitey not to play yesterday at Fylde. With my agent hat on, I'm worried sick he's going to get injured and his situation at Morecambe is difficult enough to navigate as it is.

"His response...'no chance, I wouldn't do that to the gaffer (Derek Adams) and the fans'.

"It came as no surprise that I got a text from one of my younger players who played, who told me that Whitey was immense both on the pitch and in the changing room yesterday.

"Tom's professionalism, empathy and mentality, in the midst of a horrible situation, is testament to his character and his values as a human being."

The Shrimps are due to play away against local rivals Lancaster City, tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

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.

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 (below) 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.”

Rod Taylor (right) with fellow former co-chairman Graham Howse.

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 (below), 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".

TIMELINE of events from September 2022 to December 2024.

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