INTERVIEW: Morecambe FC women and girls "will wear badge with pride" during crisis

The Morecambe FC women's teams are preparing for a new season amid the crisis surrounding the club.

The women's first team, who play home games at the Trimpell Club in Morecambe, will play their first league game on Sunday August 17.

Chairman Nick Barrett said the intention is for the team to still wear the Shrimps' official badge and proudly represent the club.

The men's team are currently suspended from playing in the National League, with a decision on the club's overall future in the competition due on August 20.

There are also around 250-300 female footballers who represent the club, including 16 junior teams from under sevens to 16s, as well as two under 18s teams, and a senior reserves and first team.

Mr Barrett, speaking to Beyond Radio at the Morecambe FC kit launch event at the former Beach Cafe on Wednesday, said there is a "sombre mood and uncertainty, and a lot of questions" right now.

LISTEN to Nick Barrett talking about how the crisis has affected the women's and girls' teams

Nick is pictured below at the Beach Cafe with the new Morecambe FC shirt, released this week

But, he said: "We're still here, we're still wearing the badge, we're still going to get the kit and wear the training kit, and I'd like to think we'll be wearing it with a lot of pride.

"The players certainly wear it with pride and the badge does mean a lot to them. I talk to seven or eight year old girls at training and they love to wear the badge.

"I spoke to Carl (from club kit supplier Terrace) today, he's going to get the kit out as soon as possible, but then we need to pay for it.

"We're on the look out for various bits and bobs and sponsors.

"We just carry on as normal fortunately.

"Being part of Morecambe at this moment in time is even more special.

"It's a terrible terrible time for the football club, we are in a bit of a dire situation at the minute and we do need as much support as possible."

Last season, the women's team played a number of games at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, and Nick said "hopefully that will come about again".

Anyone wanting to join, sponsor or help the women's and girls' teams is welcome to contact morecambegirlsfootballclub@gmail.com

*Morecambe Football Club is currently suspended from the National League. The men's first team are unable to start the new league season this weekend, and has been removed from this season's National League Cup.

The club could be expelled from the league altogether after a meeting on August 20. 

Staff at the club were paid only a third of their salaries in June and none in July, and a proposed sale of Morecambe FC has stalled.

Bills have been unpaid amid the financial crisis gripping the club, and the Shrimps are under a transfer embargo, preventing them from signing new players.

But the club remained open on Wednesday, with a small number of staff still at work inside the Mazuma.

For more on this week's kit launch and the latest on the crisis at Morecambe FC, see here.

Morecambe FC fans queue for hours in show of unity amid huge demand for new kit - Beyond Radio