Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has called for the immediate sale of Morecambe Football Club to prevent the 'heartbreaking' closure of the 105-year-old institution within days. Shareholders at the National League club warned it would 'officially shut' and face 'total collapse' on Monday unless owner Jason Whittingham agrees to sell.
In a statement, prospective buyers Panjab Warriors and minority shareholders said the club had '£0 in the bank and no cash on site', meaning operations cannot continue. The crisis has added urgency to plans for a new football regulator, following similar collapses at Bury FC, Macclesfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers.
In an open letter to Whittingham, Nandy expressed 'deep concern' and described the 'uncertainty and misery' facing fans, players, staff and the local community as 'heartbreaking'. She urged him to 'effect a sale to a suitable owner' and end the 'agony' for supporters.
The club's future has been in doubt since Whittingham appeared to renege on a deal with Panjab Warriors and planned to sell to a mystery third party. Weeks of delay led to the National League suspending the club until at least 20 August, meaning it cannot play its opening three fixtures.
Lizzi Collinge, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, called on Whittingham to 'just sign the damn paperwork' and said the crisis was 'entirely avoidable'. Pat Stoyles, interim chair of the Shrimps Trust supporters' group, said it was 'absolutely devastating' and that junior-level operations ended on Friday due to lack of insurance, ending 'every kid's dream of playing for their local club'.
