The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has made a direct plea to the owner of Morecambe FC to sell the club and end the current crisis.
Lisa Nandy has written to Jason Whittingham, of Shrimps owners Bond Group Investments, calling on him to "give the club a chance of a brighter future".
The letter comes with the long-awaited sale of the club still not complete, staff wages unpaid in full for a second month, the Shrimps suspended from the National League, and claims that the club is on the verge of shutting down completely next week unless a proposed takeover by sports investment company Panjab Warriors goes ahead.
"I am writing to you to express my deep concern at the serious and worsening situation at Morecambe Football Club," said the letter.
"The uncertainty and misery now facing this proud club, its fans, players, staff and the local community is heartbreaking to see.
"As someone who has seen my own club, Wigan Athletic, in financial crisis not once, but twice, I know the agony that the supporters of this century old institution will be going through - watching on and feeling powerless with their beloved club’s destiny in the hands of others.
"As you know, we have been working at pace over the past year to put fans back at the heart of the game they love. That is why we passed the Football Governance Act to introduce an Independent Football Regulator. When it is fully operational the regulator will work to prevent situations like that at Morecambe arising in the future, giving fans somewhere to turn to in times of crisis.
"However, we are dealing in the here and now and the regulator will not be up and running in time to help Morecambe today. It is therefore imperative that you act to help save the club and get round the table to do so. While I appreciate that this is ultimately a decision for you as owner, I implore you to find a solution to the club's current circumstance as quickly as possible.
"I have seen first hand the work of the Shrimps Trust, who have done so much for the club in its time of need as well as the club’s board and the local MP, Lizzi Collinge, who have worked tirelessly to try and save this club during this agonising time.
"It is the government’s firm view that owners need to act as the custodians of their clubs.
"It is never too late to do the right thing and with so much at stake for this grand old town, the time for action is now. I call on you to effect a sale to a suitable owner, and give the club a chance of a brighter future."
Below, Lisa Nandy and Lizzi Collinge visiting Morecambe FC in 2024, during happier times
Beyond Radio has contacted Mr Whittingham asking if he would like to comment in response to the letter.
Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said on Friday: "I'm devastated that this crisis is still dragging on, with the damage being done worsening every day.
"And it's a crisis that was entirely avoidable. If the current owner had sold the club when the EFL (English Football League) had approved the sale, all this could have been avoided.
"I am urging Jason Whittingham once again to just sign the damn paperwork.
"This state of affairs shows exactly why we need the new Football Regulator. I'm obviously frustrated that this won't be in place in time to make a difference to the current situation but I know it will stop towns like Morecambe suffering in the future by preventing rogue ownership and strengthening financial governance."
The Football Governance Act passed into law last month, but a new regulator to oversee the sport won't be set up until later in the year.
Ms Collinge also appeared on the national BBC Breakfast TV show on Saturday morning to discuss the crisis at the club.
Meanwhile Neil Wainwright from the Morecambe FC Academy, said the academy for young players was "on pause" rather than closed.
This followed a joint statement from Panjab Warriors and minority club shareholders on Thursday, which said "The club’s academy will cease operations by the end of (the) week".
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he said: "We don't quite see it as closing.
"Closing, or ceasing as (said in) the statement that came out yesterday, means that's it, completely done. 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."
Wainwright, who has been connected to the club for 17 years, including as a former player, praised the Academy staff and its young footballers, and other employees at the club for their attitude during the crisis.
"There are still staff in the club at the moment. They are fantastic people. That's what makes it all the more difficult and frustrating and hard to take, with the situation that we're in.
"We all feel that affinity to the football club. We all don't want to go anywhere. We will hope against hope that something will turn.
"It's difficult, it's tough, everybody is working hard, but we keep our fingers crossed and positive that something will come soon."
The statement from Panjab Warriors and the minority shareholders action group also said that the club would "officially shut" on Monday unless the sale deal was finally signed.
Beyond Radio contacted Morecambe FC to confirm this and had no response as we went to press.
The Shrimps are currently suspended from the National League and unable to begin playing league matches when the new season starts next weekend. The club was relegated back to non-league football at the end of last season, after 18 years in the Football League - reaching as high as League One in 2021-3.
The most recent public statement from Mr Whittingham and Bond Group Investments came last Sunday, when the owner said: "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, who in June were given clearance to take over the club by the English Football League, have since then released statements saying they are "ready, willing and able to proceed with the purchase immediately" and "the funds required to clear the necessary liabilities would be met forthwith" with "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 is due to meet again on August 20 to decide if the club should be expelled from the league altogether.
Meanwhile, an event has been organised later this month to celebrate the club and its history.
'Bring Me Sunshine - Celebrating Morecambe Football Club' will be held at the town's Winter Gardens theatre on Friday August 22.
Organised by groundsman Joe Phelan, the event is billed as "a night of reflection from all generations, a chance to hear and tell stories...time to get out your flags and shirts and possibly raise that one last glass to our club Morecambe Football Club".
There will be live music, a live Q&A and an appearance by the Shrimpettes cheerleaders.
The night will raise funds for the Shrimps Trust supporters group.
More information HERE.
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 (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." Beyond Radio has approached Panjab Warriors for comment.
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.
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.
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: Shrimps suspended from National League - reaction - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: Shrimps suspended from National League - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: Pre-season match "will go ahead" amid dismay over club's future - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: Owner names head of prospective new buyers of club - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: Fans rally round to offer support to playing staff - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: "Club effectively grinding to a halt" - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: Panjab Warriors threaten legal action after Shrimps sale U-turn - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC crisis: Owner announces last-minute new buyer of club - Beyond Radio
Businesses rally round to help Morecambe FC staff as wages remain unpaid - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC owners-in-waiting say club is "being held hostage" over delayed sale - Beyond Radio
UPDATED: Morecambe FC takeover deal still not done as board resign for second time - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC owner says social media ‘campaign of abuse’ has put off potential buyers of club
Morecambe FC owners say sale of club will complete on Monday
Morecambe FC crisis: Devastated Shrimps fan withdraws sponsorship until club is sold
Morecambe FC owner says "work continues to complete the sale process"
‘Crisis point’ - Morecambe FC owner sacks board of directors as administration row rumbles on
Administration threat as Morecambe FC owner given sale ultimatum
'Where is the money?' Morecambe FC sale on brink of collapse after wages delay
Empty beer keg used to smash window as burglars target Morecambe bar
Morecambe FC crisis: Football club to "officially shut" on Monday, say would-be owners
Morecambe FC fans' group chair to step down from role
'Morecambe's new brunch spot' set to open in former pizzeria
Cancer charity CEO is new President of Lancaster and Morecambe Chamber of Commerce
Morecambe FC crisis: First team football operations at club have stopped
Apology after bin collections delayed due to staffing shortages
VIDEO: Morecambe puppy rescued from violent beatings stars in new RSPCA film with Alesha Dixon
HMV set to close store in Lancaster shopping centre
INTERVIEW: 'Pink Hat Man' walking 2,700 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats and back again
Fast-growing health food chain to open Lancaster city centre store
McDonald's in Lancaster city centre closes until end of August for refurbishment
Police probe theft of thousands of pounds of roofing from Lancaster Leisure Park
Police hunt two culprits who stole car in Heysham
Morecambe veterans group CEO steps down to become council Armed Forces champ
Morecambe FC crisis: Lifeline for Shrimps as buyers "ready, willing and able to proceed"
New landlord takes charge at Lancaster pub
Plans for Lancaster church to become 'event space and tourism hub'
Annual audit gives Morecambe Town Council thumbs up
Morecambe Festival Market 'needs to modernise' says councillor
