Morecambe FC fans' group chair to step down from role

Thursday, 31 July 2025 15:40

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The chair of the Shrimps Trust fans' group is to step down from the role.

Tarnia Elsworth said she hoped she'd been "the leader that was needed to sail through the storm" of the current crisis surrounding the club.

The Shrimps Trust announced the news, ahead of the trust's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday evening.

"At our upcoming AGM today, Thursday July 31, Tarnia Elsworth will formally step down as chair of the Shrimps Trust," said a trust spokesperson.

"We want to place on record our sincere thanks to Tarnia for her tireless and professional leadership during what has undoubtedly been the most challenging period in the history of Morecambe FC.

"Tarnia has led with integrity and determination. She helped ensure the trust remained safe, compliant and focussed at a time of deep uncertainty.

"She managed key relationships with the owner, prospective owners, club staff and governing bodies, while protecting the trust's reputation and voice of its members.

"During her time as chair, Tarnia introduced new and improved standards which have strengthened the way the trust operates. From clearer processes to a more professional approach in how we communicate and engage, her influence will be lasting.

"The board is committed to carrying these standards forward in everything we do.

"Tarnia leaves with our full appreciation and respect. We wish her the very best for what comes next."

Ms Elsworth said: "It’s been a pleasure to represent the Shrimps Trust this year.

"I came into the role knowing we were in for a rocky year. And I hope I’ve been the leader that was needed to sail through the storm.

"It doesn’t sit well leaving with matters unresolved, but I leave the trust in very capable hands with our remaining and new trustees.

"The trustee board have been phenomenal this year, and they should be incredibly proud.

"Whatever the outcome for Morecambe FC, I will always be on hand to support in whatever capacity I can.

"It’s time for me and my family to take a more supporting role, so that I can focus on my other responsibilities.

"I profusely thank everyone that has taken the time to message me.

"It's been truly humbling, and a huge thank you to our trust members who continue to fight for our beloved club.

"Up The Shrimps."

Just this afternoon, Ms Elsworth represented the Shrimps Trust in an interview with presenter Adrian Chiles on BBC5 Radio 5 Live, about the ongoing crisis at Morecambe FC.

She has been the voice of Morecambe supporters, speaking to other national and local media on their behalf, while the financial and ownership issues have escalated over the past month.

Below, Tarnia (centre of picture) during a fan protest over the length of time being taken to sell the club, in November 2024.

Ms Elsworth, who was elected chair of the trust in September 2024, also co-owns TP Financial Solutions financial advisers in Morecambe with her wife Annabel Lumsden.

The Shrimps Trust began its life on December 1 2016 at a meeting of fans at Morecambe Cricket Club, where it was unanimously agreed to form a supporters' trust, then it later became a legally constituted body.

It was formed at the height of another ownership crisis that plagued the club, during 2016 and 2017.

The trust represents the voices of its membership and the wider fan base of Morecambe Football Club.

Below, Shrimps supporters outside the club on July 18.

Members are set to gather at the Shrimps Trust Annual General Meeting at the Strathmore hotel on Marine Road East, on Thursday, July 31, from 6.30pm.

This is a ticketed event due to limited capacity, and members should check emails for booking link and details.

On Monday it was announced that Morecambe FC was suspended from the National League until August 20.

Yesterday, a joint statement from prospective buyers Panjab Warriors Sports Limited, minority shareholders represented by Wright & Lord Solicitors, the Shrimps Trust and Lizzi Collinge, Morecambe MP, said that "debts of the club are mounting, with wages now outstanding at over £316,000, and further significant debts that need to be paid to ensure survival of the club".

They also said: "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.

"As a result of this escalating situation, more first team players have left the club, with further players set to leave by the end of this week.

"Finally, it must be pointed out that this is a desperate time which is affecting all staff at the club, both financially and their own personal well-being.

"Many staff have had no option but to resign and seek opportunities elsewhere, whilst others are still hoping that a deal can be completed. We stand together with each and every one of them and appreciate the difficult decisions they are having to take whilst the future of the club hangs in the balance.

"We implore Bond Group to complete the sale of the club immediately so that this anguish can be ended and the club can look to a brighter future under Panjab Warriors."

An earlier joint statement from Panjab Warriors, minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Ms Collinge on Tuesday, said: "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 FC has been owned since 2018 by Bond Group Investments, who put the club up for sale in September 2022.

As we went to press, the sale has not been completed.

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 (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.”

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.

Below, Shrimps fans outside the ground on July 18.

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".

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: It's announced that first team football operations at the club have stopped.

TIMELINE of events from September 2022 to December 2024.

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

Morecambe FC crisis: Owner names head of prospective new buyers of club - Beyond Radio