All’s Well that Ends Well?…

I’ve been writing for ages on these pages that – despite Jason Whittingham’s promises to the contrary, the Essex `businessman’ will not relinquish his grip on Morecambe Football Club in any circumstances other than being made an offer he could not refuse – which I deemed extremely unlikely. As a result, when I read the following announcement on the club’s website last Friday, 15^th August 2025, I thought “I’ll believe that when I see it!”

“Panjab Warriors and Bond Group Investments Ltd are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached in principle for the transfer of majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club Ltd.

Following constructive discussions and a shared commitment to securing the future of the club, both parties have agreed to a structured settlement that ensures a smooth and fair transition.

This agreement reflects the willingness of both sides to compromise in the best interests of Morecambe FC, its supporters, and the wider community. It paves the way for continued stability and a positive future both on and off the pitch.

Final legal documentation will now be prepared, with immediate steps being taken to inform key stakeholders, including the National League and the club’s management team.

Both Panjab Warriors and Bond Group would like to thank all parties involved for their patience and support during this process, and we look forward to a new chapter in the club’s history.

Bond Group Investments adds: 

We would like to thank all of the staff at the Club for their forbearance and can only apologise for the stress this has caused. In particular I would like to thank Rob, Derek, Oliver and Martin for their continued professional conduct and support throughout this process and also their support for the staff and the Community.

I would hope that the Shrimps Fans can now give their full support to the Club and it’s journey ahead.”

So imagine my surprise when I turned-on TalkSport yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 17^th August) – as an alternative to having my eardrums assaulted by the foghorn with the appalling Croydon-esque accent otherwise known as Vicki Sparks on Radio 5 Live – to hear Chief football correspondent Sam Matterface already half–way through a statement about our club. He said it had been sold and that the National League had given conditional permission for the Shrimps to start the season – albeit belatedly – next Saturday at home against Altrincham. Wondering if it was too good to be true, I looked on the BBC Sport website for further confirmation and read this:

“The Panjab Warriors consortium has completed its takeover of Morecambe, the club say.

The announcement of the change of ownership (came) on the day Morecambe were cleared to belatedly begin their season after the National League approved the deal.

The Shrimps were forced to postpone their opening three fixtures after being suspended from the league.

But a meeting of the National League’s club compliance and licensing committee on Sunday said the suspension would be lifted as soon as the paperwork was received regarding the Bond Group’s sale to the new owners.

On Sunday evening the Bond Group said: 

“Bond Group Investments can now confirm that it has sold its majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club to Panjab Warriors. A transfer embargo will remain in place until all football creditors, including players, staff and HM Revenue & Customs, are paid and payments made from the takeover.”

Morecambe, who had been up for sale since 2022, are due to host Altrincham on Saturday, having been relegated from the English Football League (EFL) last season amid financial difficulties.

The Panjab Warriors had their takeover initially approved by the EFL in June. Jason Whittingham, who led the Bond Group, said the two parties agreed terms the following month, but the deal was not finalised.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy urged Whittingham to sell the club after Morecambe’s suspension in July, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the club should “do the right thing”.

This news was followed-up by another statement on the club’s website late on Sunday night. This is it:

“Bond Group Investments can now confirm that it has sold its majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club to Panjab Warriors.

Particular thanks to Rob Smith, Oliver Wilson-Fish, Martin Thomas and Derek Adams for their consistent professionalism and support throughout this process. Also thanks to the Club staff, Sponsors, Stakeholders and the National League.

Acknowledgement must be given to Antony Antorkas at Parker Andrews Insolvency Practitioners, along with his team, for their invaluable advice and support over the past few weeks.

I would urge all fans of the Club to now focus their energy into supporting the Club as it enters the next chapter of its story.”

Well, that’s nice isn’t it? All’s Well that Ends Well. What a lovely – and very sincere – chap Jason Whittingham really is…

Why has he suddenly changed his mind about selling? My guess is either that the Panjabs made him an increased offer; the shysters who surround him told him he would be in deep doo-doo if he showed his ugly face at the imminent High Court hearing in London or some other reason we can only guess at. But who cares for now? – he’s gone and with him the most disastrous ownership our club has ever known (and there have been several Bad Eggs in the past going back even to Christie Park days…) has disappeared – at very long last.

Let’s give the Shrimps Trust the last say about this sorry episode in the club’s history:

Dear members, We are relieved that the sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited has finally been completed, safeguarding the immediate future of the club, its remaining staff, and our participation in the National League this season. We note that although we have confirmed the sale has been concluded, further steps are expected tomorrow to conclude National League requirements to lift our suspension. We warmly welcome Panjab Warriors and the Sikh community as the new custodians of our football club, the first in professional English football, and we thank them for their perseverance in securing the deal. Chardi Kala, a Punjabi term meaning a state of optimism even in the face of adversity, has certainly been shown in abundance over recent weeks. As first-time owners of a football club, there will no doubt be challenges and learning experiences ahead. As the official supporters’ trust of Morecambe Football Club, we will continue to play our part in sustaining an outstanding, modern and professional club at the heart of Morecambe. This experience has reinforced our core aim: to protect and uphold Morecambe FC as a sustainable community asset. That commitment remains as strong today as ever. We place on record our thanks to the National League for their invaluable support during recent weeks, and to the minority shareholders who have worked tirelessly alongside us to secure the club’s immediate future. We also wish to thank the FSA, Fair Game, Lizzi Collinge, DCMS, and MPs for their support, along with the many media outlets who have given our plight much-needed national and international coverage. Finally, thank you to the wider football community. With record-breaking membership numbers and unprecedented donations, we have felt the love from every corner of the world. We have been reassured that arrangements are being made for staff to be paid and for creditors to be settled, which includes HMRC. Tomorrow, the rebuilding begins. Most importantly, on a Saturday at 3pm we will stand together, one family and one community, to watch eleven players face eleven players. This isn’t just football, It’s Morecambe. Stronger together. Thank you for all your ongoing support. The Shrimps Trust

So now – however late in the day – it is time for something I thought might very well never see the light of day:

Morecambe Football Club: Totally Unofficial Preview of the season 2025-26.

I will try and get this out there in the next couple of days.

But for now – Phew! – Wot a relief! I still can barely believe it…