Morecambe boss Derek Adams has revealed that there is no guarantee that the clubs wages will be paid on time this month, as per the Lancaster Guardian.
On the pitch, Morecambe have seen an upturn in form in recent weeks. A point on the road at Fratton Park and a win at home against play-off chasing Wycombe, sees the Shrimps move to just three points from safety.
Although Oxford and Cambridge, the two teams directly above Morecambe, both have games in hand. With three games left, it’s out of their hands, they have to do what they can and hope the teams above them slip up.
The first of the remaining three is a visit to The Valley, to face Charlton. When the teams last faced each other on March 14th, the Addicks put four past the Shrimps in a 4-1 win. They will certainly be hoping for a better result this time out.
This weekend presents a huge opportunity for the Adams’ side to close the gap on the teams above, with Oxford travelling to promotion-chasing Barnsley and Cambridge travelling to title contenders Plymouth.
But the relegation fight on the pitch, is being fought in the shadow of controversy off the pitch with wages being paid late to players and staff last month and things don’t appear to be getting any better, with manager Derek Adams revealing that there have been no assurances that wages will be paid on time this month.
This would be the second time that the club face wage issues, which could end in a points deduction, and ultimately it would seal their fate for the 2022/23 season.
Speaking with the Lancaster Guardian before training on Thursday, Adams was asked if reassurances had been given that wages would be paid on time with no issue this month. He stated, “We don’t have any at the moment, that’s for the powers that be above us, those that deal with the financial side of things”
Adams then goes on to give praise to everyone at the club for their professionalism during this troubling time.
“What I will say – Again – is the players and the staff have been fantastic. Everyone from the Academy, to the Community Team, then to the first team. Have handled themselves exceptionally at a very difficult time.”
Writers View
Worry times at the Mazuma Stadium, this would be the second time in as many months that wages haven’t been paid on time. Not something the club will want to make a habit of doing.
No comment has yet been made by the powers at be, however, you get the sense there is a genuine worry that the events of last month could repeat themselves. Full credit must go to the staff and players for continuing to fight valiantly against relegation, in the shadow of the issues the club faces off the pitch.
