Morecambe FC Ownership Crisis: Urgent Calls for Sale Amid Financial Turmoil

Morecambe FC is currently embroiled in a significant ownership crisis, with local MP Lizzi Collinge urging owner Jason Whittingham to expedite the sale of the club. The Shrimps' board of directors recently announced that the club's existence is under threat due to financial instability.

The Current Situation

In a statement released on Friday, the Morecambe board revealed that Whittingham's Bond Group appears to be "considering reneging" on a deal to sell the club to the Panjab Warriors consortium. Additionally, the Bond Group is reportedly "attempting to engage with alternative buyers" while failing to provide the necessary funds to meet June's payroll.

The deal to sell the club to Panjab Warriors was approved by the English Football League earlier in June. However, the ongoing delays and financial mismanagement have left the club in a precarious position.

Political Intervention

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, MP Lizzi Collinge emphasized the need for urgent action. She expressed hope that the upcoming Football Governance Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament, will prevent similar situations in the future.

"They [Bond Group] need to get on with it," Collinge stated. "We really need to get this legislation in place. We need a proper fit and proper owners' test so this can't happen again. They're messing the community and fans around, and the fact that people haven't been paid is absolutely outrageous."

Community Impact

The drawn-out takeover process is having a significant impact on the local community. Tarnia Elsworth, chair of the Shrimps Trust supporters' group, highlighted the broader implications of the crisis.

"The fact of the matter is there's a chap sat in Essex who's got the power over our community," Elsworth told BBC Radio Lancashire. "People need him to be able to pay their mortgages, for school trips, to feed their children. This comes down to a governance issue that this man should not be allowed to do this to our community."

Financial Contributions

In a separate statement, Panjab Warriors disclosed that they have already paid £3.8 million to Bond Group, along with an additional £630,000 to clear outstanding loans against the club. The group also claimed to have loaned a further £1.7 million to the club over the past 14 months to "ensure its ongoing survival."

Looking Ahead

Since Bond Group Investments took over in 2018, Morecambe FC has faced numerous challenges, culminating in their relegation from the English Football League. The club will now compete in the National League next season for the first time since 2007.

As the ownership crisis continues, the community and fans are left in limbo, awaiting a resolution that will secure the future of Morecambe FC.