Morecambe Football Club is facing a severe crisis that could lead to administration amidst infighting and stalled takeover talks. The club's board of directors has issued an ultimatum to current owner Jason Whittingham, stating that unless he sells his shares to the Panjab Warriors consortium by 4 PM on July 1, 2025, they will begin the process of putting the club into administration. This deadline was later extended to 6 PM after new information came to light. However, even after the extension, the board stated that Whittingham was stalling and that administrators would be called at the earliest opportunity.
The Shrimps, who have been a part of the community for 105 years, are in a precarious situation. Their recent relegation from the English Football League means they will be competing in the National League for the first time since 2007. This, coupled with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership, has created a challenging environment.
The proposed takeover by the Panjab Warriors has faced complications despite the English Football League (EFL) approving the sale in June. The board has accused Jason Whittingham's Bond Group Investments of potentially reneging on the deal. Morecambe's Member of Parliament, Lizzi Collinge, has urged Bond Group to finalize the sale. The Panjab Warriors have already invested heavily in the club, claiming to have paid £3.8 million to Bond Group and an additional £630,000 to settle outstanding loans. They also stated that they had lent Morecambe an extra £1.7 million over the last 14 months to help sustain the club's operations. The Panjab Warriors have the funds available to pay all wages and are ready to transfer these immediately, but they are unable to do so unless the sale completes and they are the owners.
The board's statement highlights the financial challenges posed by the current management. Bond Group does not have the funds required to meet the club's full payroll commitment, meaning that wages cannot be paid until the sale is completed. This has created an impasse that has dire implications for club staff.
The Shrimps Trust, a supporters group, has expressed its full support for the board's actions and continues to urge Bond Group to proceed with the sale. They have also confirmed that Panjab Warriors will engage with the administration process if it comes to that and would still want to acquire ownership of the club. The Shrimps Trust has been in contact with the EFL and the National League to understand the impact administration would have on the club.
The club's struggles can be traced back to financial mismanagement under the current ownership. A transfer embargo was placed on the club in January 2025 due to Bond Group's failure to provide sufficient proof of funding. This prevented new signings and exacerbated the club's struggles on the pitch. The board has expressed frustration with Bond Group's failure to provide sufficient proof of funding.
The potential administration marks a significant turning point for the club, which has been up for sale for a prolonged period. The sale process has reached 1,000 days. The club was officially put up for sale on September 2, 2022.
