Morecambe’s ownership crisis deepens as their prospective buyers fail to respond ahead of a critical league deadline.
The club faces potential National League sanctions, with talks stalling and staff still awaiting full wages.
Silence From Panjab Warriors Raises Alarm
Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham has publicly urged takeover hopefuls Panjab Warriors to re-establish contact after a week of silence, casting serious doubt over a deal that has been in the works for more than a year. The club has been up for sale since 2022 and has endured two relegations in three seasons.
With a National League deadline looming at noon on Monday, Whittingham warned that the Shrimps could face further disciplinary action if the situation remains unresolved. The club’s compliance and licensing committee is due to meet the same day.
In a statement released via the club’s official website, Whittingham said:
“Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them. We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale.”
A rival offer, led by investor Jonny Cato, has also been accepted but appears to be on hold. According to Whittingham, ongoing negative media coverage has created uncertainty among potential buyers, undermining confidence in the process.
Staff Unpaid, Directors Gone, Club in Crisis
Off the field, the picture is just as bleak. Morecambe players and staff have reportedly received only one-third of their latest wages. The financial stress has already forced the cancellation of a pre-season fixture against Barrow, although Saturday’s friendly with AFC Fylde did go ahead.
The club’s board of directors resigned in protest earlier this month, leaving the operation without its senior leadership. Former co-chairman Rod Taylor recently admitted he feared for the very existence of the club as the off-field situation continued to unravel.
The National League has made clear its concerns over Morecambe’s regulatory compliance, and unless progress is made before Monday’s deadline, the club may be subject to further action. With less than a week to go before the new season begins, clarity over ownership and financial stability is now urgently needed.
Writer’s View
This saga has drifted into dangerous territory. The silence from Panjab Warriors feels ominous and, at this stage, it is hard to see a way forward without decisive action from the league or fresh ownership interest. Staff being paid only a third of their wages and directors walking away speaks volumes about the scale of the crisis.
Morecambe’s on-field status is now secondary to its survival. If no resolution comes by Monday, this could be remembered not as a turbulent summer, but as the beginning of the end. For a club that fought so hard to rise through the leagues, that would be a bitter tragedy
