The way forward for Morecambe FC stays within the stability after the Nationwide League suspended the membership from their competitors till mid-August amid continued uncertainty over the membership’s possession.
The Shrimps have been relegated from the English Soccer League in Could, plunging the membership into disaster, led to by a sequence of failed takeovers, damaged guarantees and unpaid wages, resulting in critical doubts over the membership’s future.
The membership was put up on the market by house owners Bond Floor in September 2022, however no deal has but been accomplished, whereas on the pitch, they’ve fallen into the non-league following two relegations in three seasons.
Morecambe disaster continues
Throughout this time, wages have been late, the membership has been hit with a switch embargo and deducted factors on two events, whereas proprietor Jason Whittingham, who was a part-owner of rugby union membership Worcester Warriors after they went into administration, has claimed two events have had takeover bids accepted and seen his board of administrators resign.
With a purpose to try to discover a approach out of this disaster, the Nationwide League met with Whittingham final Thursday and set him a Monday 12-noon deadline so as to ‘define phrases that have to be met’ relating to the membership’s compliance with their guidelines.
That deadline got here and went main the Nationwide League to droop the membership till the center of August, with all gamers advised to go residence till additional discover.
This may imply the Shrimps’ video games towards Boston, Brackley and Scunthorpe will all be postponed in a transfer which seems to place a definitive deadline on the saga, because the case is prone to be revisited then, with Morecambe followers hoping that Bond Group and Whittingham change their stance and permit a takeover to progress.
Supporters may also be hoping that this doesn’t observe a worrying precedent set in 2019, when the EFL suspended Bury’s first 5 fixtures so as to give the Shakers time to show they may repay collectors and make it by the season.
That transfer was unsuccessful and on August 27, they grew to become the primary membership to be expelled from the Soccer League since Maidstone United in 1992.
Panjab Warriors have been trying to take over Morecambe for greater than a yr, even incomes EFL approval, however that deal has not but obtained over the road, whereas a bid from a consortium led by Jonny Cato has additionally been accepted by Whittingham, however there may be uncertainty over the place every bid presently stands.
Earlier in the summertime, the Shrimps board regarded to pressure the difficulty by threatening to place the membership into administration if a deal was not accomplished, just for Whittingham to sack the board, then reinstate them, earlier than they resigned amid extra stalling from the present possession group.
A assertion from the Nationwide League on Monday afternoon learn: “The Nationwide League’s Compliance and Licensing Committee reconvened this afternoon to debate the on-going considerations surrounding Morecambe Soccer Membership and its compliance with Nationwide League guidelines.
“Discussions relating to the Membership’s capability to fulfill its monetary obligations for the 2025/2026 season have once more taken place.
“It was determined additional sanctions have to be imposed, with the Membership’s membership to be suspended with speedy impact.
“The Membership may also stay underneath embargo forward of the brand new season.
“Morecambe Soccer Membership may also be faraway from the Nationwide League Cup for the forthcoming season.
“The Committee will meet once more on Wednesday August 20 to find out if excellent objects have been glad, and to resolve the Membership’s capability to retain Membership within the Competitors.”
