The long-awaited sale of Morecambe FC will be completed on Monday - the Shrimps' owners have said.
Bond Group Investments put out a statement on Friday saying they had today "agreed final terms for the transfer of ownership and sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited, subject to contract" with Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd.
The statement said the former Morecambe FC directors, who resigned earlier this week after Bond Group said they would sack them, have been invited back to the board "to support the final stages of the sale process".
The full statement reads as follows:
"Bond Group Investments LTD and Panjab Warriors Sports LTD have today agreed final terms for the transfer of ownership and sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited, subject to contract, and intend to complete the sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited on Monday 7th July 2025.
"Bond Group have invited former Morecambe FC directors back to the board of directors to support the final stages of the sale process. At time of publication, Bond Group is awaiting confirmation of the directors.
"Panjab Warriors will now engage with the National League to deal with closing steps of the sale process, in particular to convey their plans for the 25/26 season and provide evidence that the club will be in a stable financial position moving forward.
"Final documentation is being prepared for the completion, which will take place on Monday 7th July 2025.
"A further update from Bond Group will follow on Monday 7th July 2025."
The club has been up for sale since September 2022. Bond Group have owned Morecambe FC since 2018.
The Shrimps Trust supporters group said, in response: "Whilst we hope the contents (of the statement) are accurate, we will work on the basis they are not, for obvious reasons.
"We have spoken to Kuljeet Singh Momi (of Panjab Warriors). He confirms that they have reached an agreement and hope this is honoured as agreed.
"We have a scheduled meeting with the National League at 4.30pm and will ask their understanding of the position.
"If a deal is indeed agreed, we do not understand why it needs the weekend to complete. We will be pushing that position with the National League, Panjab Warriors and Bond Group. Staff need paying now."
Directors Rod Taylor, Graham Howse, James Wakefield, Charlie Appleyard and Michael Horton were all reappointed on Friday, according to Companies House.
"The board of directors have unanimously agreed to rejoin Morecambe FC and facilitate the sale of Bond Group's shares to Panjab Warriors, which is intended to complete on Monday," said a statement from the board.
"All we can promise is that we will do everything in our powers to make it happen, get wages paid, and begin at last to look forwards."
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, 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.
Read more: Morecambe FC crisis: Devastated Shrimps fan withdraws sponsorship until club is sold - Beyond Radio
Morecambe FC owner says "work continues to complete the sale process" - Beyond Radio
UPDATED: Administration threat as Morecambe FC owner given sale ultimatum - Beyond Radio
'Where is the money?' Morecambe FC sale on brink of collapse after wages delay - Beyond Radio
Carnforth woman tells of weight loss journey ahead of new Morecambe slimming group launch
Park and Ride bus services to Lancaster city centre to reduce
WATCH and LISTEN: Walking with sheep as mayor revives ancient tradition at Lancaster farm
Lancaster University professor is new President of the Royal Astronomical Society
Friends from Morecambe to take on Ultra Marathon for brave toddler
Firefighters and swim centre team give key water safety message on Morecambe school visit
Police probe after stolen motorbike being ridden dangerously found in Morecambe
Man arrested in Lancaster after bridge jump hoax call
Local hospice wins national award for Will donation campaign
Cash boost for babies and families at Royal Lancaster Infirmary after fundraising at local golf club
Morecambe’s Pride in Place Board give update on West End investment programme
Children's play area in Lancaster opens after £118k revamp
Illegal tobacco and counterfeit clothing seized during raid on Lancaster city centre shop
Lancaster bowling green fundraiser hits target
Six food businesses in Lancaster district fail allergen tests
LISTEN: Stars of Morecambe and Wise stage show can't wait for Eric's 100th birthday
LISTEN: Thousands enjoy Wray Fair finale to annual scarecrow festival
PHOTOS and VIDEO: Incredible sand art on Morecambe beach honours Sir David Attenborough
Row over Morecambe FC debt as ex-directors' firm issues winding-up petition against club
Morecambe Pride handed £3,500 grant boost
