New faces arrive as Morecambe FC prepares for big return

It's a busy time at Morecambe Football Club as the Shrimps prepare for their first game of the season.

Wednesday saw several new faces arrive at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium as Morecambe continued the rebuilding process after the club rebounded from troubled times.

New players Raheem Conte, Harry Panayiotou and Mo Sangare signed for the club, while Lee Tomlin was appointed new assistant manager, and Ian Hutton joined the backroom staff as Head of Physical Performance.

A transfer embargo preventing the signing of new players had been lifted by the National League, allowing new manager Ashvir Singh Johal to strengthen a squad depleted during the recent financial and ownership crisis.

But with new owners Panjab Warriors now in charge after the club was sold over the weekend, the new faces continue to signal brighter times ahead for Shrimps fans.

Morecambe face Altrincham in their season opener this Saturday (12.30pm kick off at the Mazuma). The club had been unable to start the season as scheduled on August 9, due to suspension from the National League.

Defender Conte, who will wear the number 3 shirt at Morecambe, has EFL Championship experience. Having joined Cardiff’s youth setup in 2022, he made his senior debut and impressed in the Bluebirds’ 2-1 win over Southampton.

Conte is pictured below with new manager Ashvir Singh Johal.

Conte competed in the National League during the 2024/25 campaign, as he went on loan to Woking for the first half of the season.

“I’m delighted that Raheem has joined us at Morecambe," said Singh Johal.

 "He is someone whose career I have followed for some time now. He has had good exposure to Cardiff’s first team, playing in the Championship and EFL Cup.

“Raheem is a versatile player. He’s a midfielder but he can also play full back. We see him as a full back, he’s left footed. We think he has all the attributes that can help us get to the next level. He’s athletic, he’s quick, but most important is his intelligence and his football brain to help us be successful on the football pitch. We think he will really enjoy our training processes, how we work, and we think we can help take him to the next level as a player, but we really think he can help us with our aims of being in the EFL again.” 

Panayiotou, a forward, has been a professional for more than a decade with his last club being NIFL Premiership side Larne FC.

"Really pleased to have Harry with us and I'm glad that he has joined us at Morecambe," said Singh Johal.

"It was important for us that we had players in the building who have experience in the league so he understands exactly what it takes to win games at this level. As equal to that, from a style of play point of view, he's exactly what we're looking for.

"We're looking for someone who is going to press aggressively, who's going to give us all in the games, someone who is never going to give up and win the ball, he's got the quality to drop and link play between the lines, or who can run in behind.

"He's someone who we think can be really effective in the final third and help us create and score goals this season and hopefully help the team play an entertaining brand of football." 

Leicester-born Panayiotou joined his hometown club as an academy player and made his first team debut in April 2012.

Following the expiration of his contract he joined Barrow, where he made 33 appearances.

He made 94 appearances for Aldershot Town across two spells.

Sangare joins the Shrimps from Swiss side AC Bellinzona, where he made 24 appearances. 

His professional career started at Newcastle United in 2019, the same year he made his debut for the Liberia National team in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The 26-year-old has gone on to make 23 appearances for his nation, getting his name on the scoresheet four times. 

Sangare spent the 2020/21 season on loan with Accrington Stanley, where he gained League One experience before making the permanent move to the north-west in 2022.

Since then, the defender has spent time at Scottish Premiership side Livingston Football Club and Bellinzona and now he signs for Morecambe FC.

"Mo is someone who we identified straight away, someone who will fit right into what we're trying to build at Morecambe," said Singh Johal.

"He has a lot of EFL experiences and he has got the required skill set that is going to help us compete straight away in the National League. He has the mentality we're looking for, he's got that winning mindset and he wants to push to improve and get better and ultimately win games.

"Mo's characteristics as a player will exactly fit the style of play we're trying to build here. I can't wait to work with him." 

Lee Tomlin replaces Danny Grainger as assistant manager. It was announced on Wednesday that Grainger had left the club, following the departure of former manager Derek Adams on Monday.

Tomlin had an accomplished playing career that saw him play across every league in the EFL and the National League.

“Lee is someone I have known for a very long time," said Singh Johal.

"I knew that when I became a manager Lee was the person I wanted to be my assistant manager. He had a fantastic playing career and has played in all the divisions of English professional football, including the Premier League. 

"He’s now gone into coaching after playing, and he’s worked at some great clubs. Lee has experience at Leicester City and then he was at Sheffield United so for me to bring him here as assistant manager is something that I’m really proud of. 

“Lee’s expertise of the game and playing at the highest level, that’s something that I will tap into, and he’s going to be a big part of our coaching team but straight away you can see his mentality, how he is around the place, how he is with the players.

“He is someone that I can trust to take us to the next level so I’m really looking forward to working with him and I think he is someone that will add real value to our team.”

Tomlin will be on the touchline this weekend for the first game at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium against Altrincham FC.

Ian Hutton started at Cheltenham Town FC as Head of Sports Science.

During his five years with The Robins, Hutton achieved promotion from the National League after a successful 2015/16 season that saw them crowned champions.

He would go on to work for Solihull Moors and Woking Football Club, with a four year spell at Notts County in between.

Hutton was first team Strength and Conditioning Coach from 2020-2024 and played a pivotal role in the Magpies’ promotion to EFL League Two in the 2022/23 campaign.

“I’d like to welcome Ian to the club," said Singh Johal, pictured below with Hutton.

"He is a fantastic physical performance coach who will lead all aspects of the physical performance side of the club.

“He has direct experience working with managers who have gained promotion from the National League to League Two and fully understands what it takes to build a successful performance department.

“He has worked with clubs who share similar football philosophies to the ones we are implementing.”

“I was introduced to Ian by mutual friends and instantly knew that when I became a manager, I would want him to be my physical performance coach.

“His work with Luke Williams at Notts County was outstanding and directly contributed to the development of a football team that dominated games with the ball and physically were one of the best teams in the league."

Meanwhile, former club co-chairman and Shrimps stalwart Rod Taylor has been reappointed as a director, according to Companies House.

Mr Taylor (pictured below, left, with Gurpreet Singh from Panjab Warriors and former co-chairman Graham Howse) has been front and centre of the battle to keep the Shrimps' plight in the public eye over the past weeks and ensure the sale of the club went ahead.

Kuljeet Singh Momi and Harjit Singh were appointed as directors on August 17.

Mr Taylor and other directors Graham Howse, James Wakefield, Charlie Appleyard and Mick Horton resigned twice from the board in recent weeks, due to the delay in the sale from Bond Group Investments to Panjab Warriors which threatened the very existence of the club.

The club is also calling on fans to lend a helping hand to get the ground ready for Saturday's game.

"With a fresh era beginning for the Shrimps, we are keen to ensure the stadium looks its very best to welcome fans, players and visitors alike," said a club spokesperson.

"To do this, we’re inviting our supporters to join us in giving the outer and inner stadium areas a final tidy-up ahead of matchday.

"Whether it’s lending a hand with brushing, cleaning, or just some general tidying, every bit of help will make a real difference in creating a welcoming environment for all.

"We encourage anyone who is available to come along, bring your passion, and help us get the Mazuma shining for matchday. Together, let’s make sure the stadium reflects the pride and spirit of Morecambe FC."

Fans are being asked to attend on Thursday August 21: 10am-2pm (outside the stadium) and Friday August 22: 10am to 2pm (inside the stadium).

The club requests that you bring your own equipment if possible.

Read more: Morecambe FC announces first game of season will go ahead - Beyond Radio