Morecambe F.C.

Morecambe
Full nameMorecambe Football Club
Nickname(s)The Shrimps
Founded7 May 1920 (1920-05-07)
GroundMazuma Mobile Stadium
Capacity6,476 (2,247 seated)
Coordinates54°03′41″N 2°52′02″W / 54.0615°N 2.8672°W / 54.0615; -2.8672
OwnerPanjab Warriors
ChairmanVacant
ManagerVacant
LeagueNational League
2024–25EFL League Two, 24th of 24 (relegated)
Websitewww.morecambefc.com

Morecambe Football Club is a professional association football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire, England. As of 17 August 2025, the team is set to play in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system, once takeover paperwork has been completed and debts to football creditors have been paid.

The club was founded in 1920 and entered into the Lancashire Combination, where they remained for the next 48 years, winning the league title five times, in 1924–25, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1966–67 and 1967–68. They joined the newly-formed Northern Premier League in 1968, and won the FA Trophy in 1974 and the Northern Premier League President's Cup in 1992. Under manager Jim Harvey, a second-place finish in the 1994–95 Northern Premier League Premier Division season saw them promoted into the Conference. Having been beaten in the 2003 and 2006 play-off semi-finals, Sammy McIlroy led the club to promotion into the Football League with victory in the 2007 play-off final. They finished in the top ten of League Two twice, reaching the play-off semi-finals after fourth-place finishes in 2009–10 and 2020–21; in the latter season they reached the 2021 League Two play-off final and achieved promotion to League One. They competed in the third tier for two seasons, before being relegated in 2023, amid financial troubles. Two seasons later, they were relegated again, to the National League, bringing their 18-year stay in the EFL to an end.

In July 2025, amid a protracted sale process and repeated non-payment of staff wages, directors threatened to put the club into administration but were then sacked by owner Jason Whittingham - who was then the subject of legal action by prospective owners previously approved by the EFL. The dispute caused the cancellation of pre-season fixtures, threats of further legal action by minority shareholders, suspension by the National League for the start of the 2025–2026 season (including postponement of the side's initial league fixtures), and cessation of first team football operations.

Nicknamed "The Shrimps" due to the coastal town's local speciality food, the club have played home games at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium since moving from their original home at Christie Park in 2010. The club has rivalries with nearby Accrington Stanley, with non-League neighbours Lancaster City of the same council area, and other Lancashire clubs.

History

1920–2007: Non-League

Football in the town dates back to the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until 7 May 1920 that Morecambe FC was formed after a meeting at the local West View Hotel. The club then took its place in the Lancashire Combination League for the 1920–21 season.

Sharing grounds with Morecambe Cricket Club at Woodhill Lane during the first season, football proved popular, with crowds in excess of 3,000 for derby fixtures with Lancaster City and Fleetwood Town. Although success on the field was hard to come by, with the club languishing near the bottom of the table, at the end of the first season the club moved grounds to Roseberry Park. A few years later after the purchase of the ground by the then-President, J.B. Christie, the ground's name was changed to Christie Park in his honour. Those early seasons proved difficult, and it was not until 1924–25 that the club began to enjoy some success, claiming the league title for the first time; this was later followed by success in the Lancashire Junior Cup, beating old rivals Chorley after two replays, and in front of over 30,000 spectators.

Christie bequeathed the ground to the club in 1927 and also helped incorporate the club into a Limited Company with a then share capital of £1,000. The rest of the 1920s and the whole of the 1930s saw a constant struggle to keep football alive on the North West coast, with poor results on the field and little or no revenue off the field.

The post-war era saw an upturn in the Shrimps' fortunes with steady progress throughout the late 1940s and nearly all the 1950s, with a visible marked improvement when in 1956 Ken Horton was appointed player-manager. Whilst success was only just around the corner, the foundations for the future were being built. The Auxiliary Supporters club had been formed and with their help many ground improvements were undertaken, so that the on-field success dovetailed neatly with the off-field enterprise. Morecambe enjoyed success during the fourteen years from 1960. This included an FA Cup third round appearance in 1961–62, a 1–0 defeat to Weymouth; a Lancashire Senior Cup final victory in 1968, a 2–1 win over Burnley;[1] and an FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1974, a 2–1 win over Dartford in the final.

The next 12 years were as barren as any previous period in the club's history. Attendances fell from a creditable 2,000 plus to a miserable 200 minus, with a visible decline in the club fortunes during that period. However, in 1985–86, signs of improvement appeared; the club's league position improved, and success in cups came as well over the next few years. It took ten years for the club to reach its ambition of promotion to the Football Conference after many further improvements, not only to the ground but also to the club's structure. Their promotion at the end of the 1994–95 Northern Premier League season came after Marine's ground did not meet Conference requirements, so second-placed Morecambe took their place.

From their first Conference season (1995–96), the Shrimps became one of the leading teams in the league. Only Woking had a longer unbroken membership of the league at this time. The runners-up spot was claimed on one occasion and the play-off positions were narrowly missed twice. Also during this time, the club equalled its best appearance in the FA Cup in both 2000–01 and 2002–03. On both occasions the club faced Ipswich Town, losing 3–0 and 4–0 respectively. Morecambe also defeated a few league clubs in the FA Cup, including Cambridge United in 2000–01 and Chesterfield in 2002–03.

In November 2005, Jim Harvey suffered a heart attack during a league game at Christie Park against Cambridge United. The club quickly declared the appointment of a caretaker manager, Sammy McIlroy, a long-time friend of Harvey. After McIlroy's initial three-month stint as caretaker expired, he was given the job for the remainder of the season with Harvey expected to return on its closure. However, on his first day back as manager of Morecambe, Harvey was sacked by the club and McIlroy was appointed as permanent manager.

In the absence of Harvey, Morecambe reached the Conference play-offs. They lost to Hereford 4–3 on aggregate, but McIlroy was appointed on a permanent basis in May 2006. The following season, Morecambe were promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history after winning the Conference play-off final, beating Exeter City 2–1 at Wembley on 20 May 2007, in front of over 40,000 fans which followed their semi-final victory over York City.[2]

2007–2025: Football League

Chart of yearly table positions of Morecambe since promotion in the Football Conference

On 17 July 2007, Morecambe announced plans to move to a new stadium by the start of the 2009–10 season. However, work did not start on the proposed site until spring 2009, with completion anticipated in summer 2010.[3]

Morecambe played their first Football League game against Barnet at Christie Park on 11 August 2007, earning a 0–0 draw.[4] On 14 August 2007, Morecambe played their first League Cup tie, winning 2–1 against near neighbours Preston North End at Deepdale.[5] The Shrimps then beat another Championship side, winning 3–1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 28 August. In the third round, they faced a third consecutive Championship side, Sheffield United, but lost 5–0. They finished their first League Two season in 11th place with 60 points. They also finished 11th in the 2008–09 season, with 63 points.

The 2009–10 season was Morecambe's last at Christie Park, and they finished in fourth place, qualifying for the play-offs, but lost 7–2 on aggregate to Dagenham & Redbridge. On 10 August 2010, Morecambe played their first match at the Globe Arena against Championship side Coventry City in the League Cup. Morecambe won 2–0, with Andy Fleming scoring the first two goals at the stadium.. After the club finished the 2010–11 season in 20th place, Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy left the club by mutual consent on 9 May 2011, after five years.[6]

On 13 May 2011, Jim Bentley signed a two-year deal as player-manager.[7] After a promising start to the 2011–12 season, a poor end to the season led to Morecambe finishing 15th in League Two. In Bentley's second season they finished 16th. Bentley signed a two-year contract extension in October 2013,[8] and two further extensions in August 2015 and October 2017.[9] Over this period, Morecambe retained their League status with 18th, 11th, 21st, 18th, 22nd and 18th finishing positions. In May 2018, the club was sold to Bond Group Investments.[10]

Bentley left in October 2019 to become AFC Fylde's manager, having spent 16 months as the then longest serving manager in the top four tiers of English football.[11] In November 2019, Morecambe appointed Derek Adams as manager.[12] The remainder of the season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the Shrimps finish 22nd after 37 games played, again avoiding relegation.

In the 2020–21 season, the club faced two Premier League sides in two cup competitions, falling to Newcastle United[13] in the third round of the EFL Cup and to Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge;[14] the latter equalled their furthest run in the FA Cup since the early 2000s. In the league, the club qualified in fourth place for the League Two play-offs with 78 points, missing automatic promotion by one point. Following a 3–2 aggregate win over Tranmere Rovers in the semi-final,[15] the club reached a first League play-off final. In the 2021 League Two play-off final against Newport County at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021, Morecambe won 1–0, after Carlos Mendes Gomes converted a penalty in the 107th minute. This earned the Shrimps promotion to League One, the third tier of English football, for the first time in their history.[16] Adams resigned three days later[17] to become manager of Bradford City.[18]

In June 2021, the club announced former Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson as manager for the club's first season in League One.[19] Their first game was a 2–2 draw at Ipswich Town.[20] The club again reached the FA Cup third round, playing another London-based Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur. After scoring the first goal, Morecambe were undone by late goals from Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Harry Winks to lose 3–1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.[21] After 32 games, Robinson left to take over at Scottish club St Mirren.[22] Adams returned as manager,[23] and, despite the club flirting with relegation, led them out of the drop zone to finish 19th and retain League One status for a second season.[24]

Financial problems

In October 2022, Adams voiced worries about the future of the club. Its owners, Bond Group Investments, had put the club up for sale in September 2022, with directors Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring (both associated with the collapse of Worcester Warriors rugby union club,[25] and both fined and disqualified from being company directors following a court hearing on 18 October 2022)[26] stepping down from the Shrimps' board.[27] In March 2023, players' wages were paid late, with funds invested by Sarbjot Johal, who was aiming to take over the club, ultimately bridging the gap.[28] However, uncertainty about the club's ownership continued,[29] ultimately through to August 2025.

In May 2023, Morecambe were relegated to League Two after a defeat by Exeter City,[30] and 14 players were set to leave the club after their contracts expired, with no players offered new deals.[31] In August 2023, Morecambe received a suspended three-point deduction for paying its players late in March.[32] In December 2023, Morecambe and owner Jason Whittingham were charged by the EFL for failures over players' wages,[33] and in April 2024, the three-point deduction was activated and Whittingham was fined £10,000.[34] The club finished the 2023–24 season in 15th place.[35]

On 30 April 2024, after succeeding Derek Adams as manager in November 2023, Ged Brannan left the financially troubled club to join League Two rivals Accrington Stanley.[36] Manager-less, with chief executive Ben Sadler joining Walsall, and with only one player under contract for the next season due to an ongoing transfer embargo, the club was described as "a circus" by its chairman Rod Taylor in May 2024.[37] On 20 May 2024, Morecambe announced the departure of 16 players, leaving the club with a five-strong first-team squad.[38] The following day, club directors called on Whittingham to sell the club to avoid a 'catastrophic outcome'.[39][40] Derek Adams returned for a third spell as manager in early June 2024,[41] when Whittingham said the club was talking to four potential buyers.[42] In early July 2024, talks over a possible buyout of the club were reported to be at "an advanced stage",[43] the transfer embargo was lifted (though Morecambe were fined £5,131.82 for failing to meet payment obligations)[44] and Morecambe signed 15 players.[45]

On 19 December 2024, Morecambe received a suspended two-points deduction for five failures to report non-payment of accounts owed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).[46] On 23 January 2025, the club - 23rd in League Two and five points from safety - insisted it was "not in immediate jeopardy" despite having no proof of funds for the rest of the season and being unable to sign players in the transfer window.[47] However, Morecambe later secured funds to sign players.[48] Whittingham said "With every fibre in my body ... I can't wait to get out of Morecambe. ... I no longer want to be the owner of the club".[49]

2025: Return to Non-League, and an ownership crisis

On 21 April 2025, after 18 years in the Football League, Morecambe were relegated to the National League at the end of the 2024–25 season, following a home defeat to Salford City.[50] Club directors subsequently reported "positive progress" towards the sale of the club,[51] and a deal with Panjab Warriors was approved by the EFL in early June.[52] But the Bond Group was later said to be "considering reneging" on the deal[53] - despite Panjab having already paid £3.8m to Bond Group, plus £630,000 to clear loans, and an interest-free loan of £1.7m to meet the club’s monthly working capital needs.[54] More than six weeks of claims and counter-claims between Panjab Warriors and Whittingham's Bond Group followed.

After two-thirds of June's staff wages were not paid by Bond Group, club directors planned to put the club into administration on 2 July 2025 if the club was not sold to new owners,[55][56][57] but Whittingham - declaring the club to be in "at a crisis point" - started to dismiss the directors to give time for the club to avoid administration[58][59] (the directors later all resigned;[60] a UK limited company cannot legally operate without at least one director). On 4 July, Bond Group said a sale to Panjab Warriors had been agreed, with completion expected on 7 July[61][62] (later postponed to 8 July).[63][64] The directors were invited to resume their positions,[61] and initially accepted[65] but delayed their reappointment pending completion of the sale.[66] On 8 July, Panjab Warriors said the club was "being held hostage" by Whittingham, adding: "the club is being used as leverage in unrelated personal financial matters."[67][68] Similarly, local MP Lizzi Collinge said Whittingham was using Morecambe to leverage his own finances: "... Jason Whittingham has built a house of cards, and it is now falling down around his ears. ... Morecambe FC is being held hostage.… The likes of Jason Whittingham should never have been allowed to buy a football club."[69]

However, on 9 July, Whittingham said a "last minute" deal with a new UK buyer had been agreed,[70] prompting Panjab Warriors to threaten legal action and call for any alternative deal to be blocked until the dispute was resolved.[71][72] The club was also placed under a registration embargo by the National League for breaching financial regulations.[73] On 16 July, the club announced that its pre-season home fixture against Barrow on 22 July would be played behind closed doors[74] (it was later cancelled)[75] and The Guardian reported the club could be banned from playing its first game back in the National League, with players allowed to leave for nothing if they were not paid by Friday 18 July.[69]

On 17 July 2025, Whittingham said a take-over deal was nearing completion;[76][77] on 18 July, he said the new owner - a consortium led by an investor called Jonny Cato - would complete the sale that day and would make "a generous payment" to pay staff and players.[78] But in the absence of any further developments, Panjab Warriors confirmed it had started legal action against Whittingham and Bond Group.[75][79] The Shrimps Trust said players were refusing to play until the ownership situation was resolved,[80][81] but pre-season games at AFC Fylde on 26 July and at Lancaster City on 29 July were expected to go ahead.[82][83]

On 23 July 2025, a minority group of club shareholders issued an ultimatum to Bond Group: sell the club within 48 hours or face High Court action.[83] On 25 July, the National League said it had "serious concerns", and had written to Whittingham to outline terms to be met by 12 noon on 28 July. Its Club Compliance and Licensing Committee would then meet to discuss the matter and possible further sanctions.[84] On 27 July, Whittingham said "continual negative press statements" had given the Cato consortium "cause for concern and pause", and said Bond Group had unsuccessfully attempted to renew contact with Panjab Warriors.[85]

Suspension from National League and cessation of first team operations

On 28 July 2025, the National League's committee said Morecambe's league membership had been suspended with immediate effect, with the side's first three League fixtures postponed[86] (and its pre-season match at Lancaster City on 29 July was cancelled).[87] The committee would meet again on 20 August to "determine if outstanding items have been satisfied, and to decide the Club's ability to retain Membership in the Competition".[86][88] Club staff were reportedly unpaid for a second successive month.[88]

Panjab Warriors said on 29 July 2025 that they were "ready, willing and able" to buy Morecambe. In a joint statement with minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Lizzi Collinge, they said the National League was ready to sanction the deal and "immediately lift the suspension and embargo should it be agreed".[89] A 30 July statement from the group announced the club's first team had stopped all football operations due to a lack of insurance cover. Some players had left the club, with others set to leave.[90][91] On 31 July, a third statement said the club's academy would close on 1 August (academy manager Neil Wainwright said it was being "paused"),[92] and the club would close on 4 August unless Whittingham signed the deal "immediately".[93][94] On 1 August, Whittingham said he was still working toward a successful sale of the club.[95] Without a sale, liquidation was considered the most likely outcome.[96][97]

On 1 August, culture secretary Lisa Nandy joined those urging Whittingham to sell the club;[92] adding the new independent football regulator would come too late to help Morecambe's situation.[98] On 6 August 2025, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer urged all concerned with the club to "do the right thing".[99]

On 8 August 2025, Panjab claimed Whittingham had cancelled a scheduled 7 August mediation session, "providing weak and unconvincing excuses";[100] the mediator subsequently resigned citing Bond Group's "complete lack of sincerity and commitment".[101] On 11 August, Whittingham said "Panjab Warriors ... continue to issue statements that bear no relevance to actual events", talked of a new mediation meeting on 13 August, and accused various groups, including MPs, of making "uninformed statements for their own self-promotion" without trying to contact Bond Group.[102][103] The Shrimps Trust condemned "another empty meaningless statement", adding that, under Whittingham's mismanagement, "He hasn't just run the club into the ground, he's burying it."[104]

Sale to Panjab Warriors agreed

On 14 August 2025, Bond Group and Panjab Warriors announced an agreement in principle over a takeover. Legal documentation was to be prepared, along with notifications to key stakeholders including the National League and the club's management team.[105] The same day, HMRC issued a winding-up order against the club.[106] On 17 August, the National League's club compliance and licensing committee said the suspension would be lifted once paperwork was received regarding the sale to Panjab Warriors; the transfer embargo would also remain in place until all football creditors, including players, staff and HMRC, had been paid.[107] If conditions are met by 20 August, Morecambe would be allowed to play Altrincham on Saturday 23 August 2025. Two new club directors were also reported to have been appointed.[108]

On 18 August 2025, staff received the balance of their June 2025 wages, but their July salaries remained outstanding.[109] A club statement said it would pay all its remaining liabilities, including wages and money owed to HMRC by 20 August; the new owners also sacked manager Derek Adams.[110]

Kit and main shirt sponsors

Table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:[111]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1920–74
1974–78 Umbro
1978–79 Litesome
1979–80 Holmark
1981–82 Adidas Mitchells
1983–84 Umbro John Wilding
1984–85 MG Markets
1985–86 Carlton Caterers
1986–87 Umbro
1987–88
1988–91 Umbro Cvg
1992–93 Mitchells
1993–94 Asics Carleton Inn
1994–95 Printing Machinery
1995–96 Pony International Ais Products
1996–97 Lakesway
1997–98 Oasis
1998–99 Ambulink UK
1999–2000 Umbro Redman & Jones
2000–02 Business Serve PLC
2002–04 Thurnham Leisure Group
2004–07 Wright & Lord Solicitors
2007–08 Jiang Print
2008–09 Puma SE Mopay.co.uk
2009–12 Bench.
2012–13 Fila Carbrini
2013–14 Blacks Leisure Group
2014–15 Carbrini
2015–16 Carbrini JD Sports
2016–17 Omega Holidays
2017–18 Macron Purple Property Group
2018–19 Bizloans4u
2019–21 Annapurna Recruitment[112][113]
2021–23 Joma[114] Mazuma[115]
2023–24 Omnia[116]
2024-25 The Terrace[117] The Fan Cave Memorabilia[118]
2025-28 The Terrace [119] tbc

Mascot

The Shrimps' mascot is Christie the Cat.[120] The cat was named after Morecambe's old stadium, Christie Park.

Rivalries

From the early 1990s, Morecambe engaged in a bitter rivalry with Lancashire neighbours Accrington Stanley. The Shrimps failed to beat Accrington in 16 attempts after their 2007 promotion to the Football League before Aaron Wildig's goal gave them a 1–0 win over their rivals in August 2015. Morecambe's other local rivals include Barrow, Lancaster City, Fleetwood Town, Kendal Town, Rochdale and Southport.

Players

Current squad

As of 18 August 2025[121]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Pos. Nation Player
GK England ENG Alfie Scales
DF England ENG Luke Hendrie
MF England ENG Paul Lewis
MF England ENG Ben Tollitt
MF Cameroon CMR Yann Songo'o (captain)
Pos. Nation Player
MF England ENG Lennon Dobson
MF England ENG Adam Fairclough
MF England ENG Nathan Mercer
MF Wales WAL Gwion Edwards
FW Scotland SCO Jack Stretton

Club officials

As of 2 July 2025[122]

Board

  • Directors: None - all recent directors (facing dismissal by the Bond Group) resigned on 2 July 2025[123]

Coaching staff

  • Manager: Vacant
  • Assistant manager: Danny Grainger
  • First team analyst: James Peat
  • Head of Scouting: Alex Hughes
  • Head of Physiotherapy: Daniel Green
  • Kit man: Les Dewhirst
  • Head of academy coaching: Neil Wainwright
  • Under 18s manager: Ollie Ras

Managerial history

Since 1947 to present

Dates Name Notes Ref
1947–48 Scotland Jimmy Milne
1955–56 England Albert Dainty
1956–61 England Ken Horton
1961–64 Scotland Joe Dunn
1964–65 England Geoff Twentyman
1965–69 England Ken Waterhouse
1969–70 England Ronnie Clayton
1970 Gerry Irving and Ronnie Mitchell
1970–72 England Ken Waterhouse
1972–75 Dave Roberts Player manager. Won FA Trophy at Wembley in 1974
1976–77 Johnny Johnson
1977–78 Tommy Ferber
1978–79 Mick Hogarth
1979–81 Don Cubbage
1981 Scotland Jim Thomson
1981–84 Les Rigby
1984–85 Sean Gallagher
1985–88 Joe Wojciechowicz
1988–89 England Billy Wright
1989–93 England Bryan Griffiths
1994 Wales Leighton James
1994–2005 Northern Ireland Jim Harvey Won promotion to the Conference from the Northern Premier League in 1995
2005–11[n 1] Northern Ireland Sammy McIlroy Won promotion to the Football League from the Conference in 2007 [124]
2011–19 England Jim Bentley [124]
2019 England Kevin Ellison & Republic of Ireland Barry Roche Joint caretaker player managers (two matches) [124]
2019–21 Scotland Derek Adams Won promotion to League One from League Two in 2021 [124]
2021–22 Northern Ireland Stephen Robinson [124]
2022 Republic of Ireland Barry Roche Caretaker player manager (one match) [124]
2022–23 Scotland Derek Adams Relegated from League One to League Two in 2023 [124]
2023–24 England Ged Brannan [124]
2024–2025 Scotland Derek Adams Relegated from League Two to National League in 2025 [124]

Records

Honours

Source:[125]

League

Cup

Footnotes

  1. ^ Caretaker manager for his first six months.

References

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  • Morecambe at the Football Club History Database