First-team football operations at Morecambe FC have stopped and more players will leave the crisis-hit club this week.
It was announced on Wednesday that "required insurance which was in place has now lapsed as payment has not been made", amid the financial issues gripping the club.
This comes 48 hours after the Shrimps were suspended from the National League until August 20, and with a sale of the football club still not completed.
The news came in a statement from prospective buyers Panjab Warriors Sports Limited, minority shareholders represented by Wright & Lord Solicitors, The Shrimps Trust fans group and Lizzi Collinge MP.
"Following our first statement yesterday in which it was advised that Panjab Warriors were still willing and able to proceed with the purchase immediately, we can confirm that this has not completed yet," said the statement, released on Wednesday afternoon.
"As each day passes, the 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, which Panjab Warriors have already committed to pay within hours of completion with Bond Group.
"In further developments today, 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."
There has been no further statement from club owners Bond Group Investments, or the company's director Jason Whittingham, since Sunday.
Then, he spoke of his "willingness to complete" a sale with Panjab Warriors.
Beyond Radio contacted Mr Whittingham (below) on Monday, asking if he wished to comment after the National League suspension was announced, but we have had no response.
Staff at the club were only paid a third of their wages for June, and July salaries are also overdue.
Regular first-team players from last season who remained on Morecambe's books at the start of this week were Harry Burgoyne, Luke Hendrie, Yann Songo'o, Jamie Stott, Harvey MacAdam, Paul Lewis, Gwion Edwards, Tom White and Ben Tollitt; with Lennon Dobson, Adam Fairclough and Alfie Scales who were taken on as first year pros over the summer.
Academy players Nathan Snowball and Billy Whaite have also been part of the team during pre-season.
it was announced on Tuesday that Stott, last year's Players' Player of the Season, had left for Derry City.
Meanwhile, Morecambe fans are set to gather at the Shrimps Trust Annual General Meeting at the Strathmore 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.
Also this week, Morecambe technical supplier Terrace has announced it will still go ahead with the launch of the club's 2025/26 football kit.
The kit will be available for fans to buy, at the former Beach Cafe, near the Battery, on Tuesday August 5 from 6pm-9pm, Wednesday August 6 from 9am to 7pm, and Thursday August 7 from 9am to 3pm.
Carl Sewell, director of Terrace, said on Tuesday: "We can confirm the kits and technical wear for Morecambe FC 2025/26 will be released, in an effort to recover our supply costs laid out and recover some of the brand's losses over recent months during the current challenges.
"After continuing to commercially support the club and proceed with stock orders at our own investment, we must proceed to recover our losses.
"Stock ordered by the club, will remain in holding, in hope of a brighter tomorrow before August 20. Should this stock not be required by the club, this will then be released for general sale.
"Finally, should a 'phoenix club' emerge in the shadows of any negative final conclusions, Terrace would like to put on record that playing kit will be provided free of charge for players, for the first two seasons, if required."
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 (below) 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."
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: 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
Lancaster martial artists celebrate British title triumph
Busy month for Lancaster and Morecambe Athletics Club
Morecambe beat Lancaster to go 23 points clear
Lancaster team all set as 50th anniversary International Youth Games gets under way
Morecambe FC crisis: Lifeline for Shrimps as buyers "ready, willing and able to proceed"
