Totally Unofficial Preview of the Season, 2026-2027. Morecambe FC.

Part Two: The Squad.

After yesterday’s miserable assessment of the state of things off the field at our football club, let’s move on now to the strictly playing side of things at the Halo.

New Players.

Will Smith.

There are several Will Smiths out there in the world with probably the most famous one being the brilliant black American actor and singer. However, the Fresh Prince of the Morecambe Seaside Air who all Shrimps’ fans will be more invested in currently is the first man to put pen to paper in the Lakeland era. He is, perhaps unsurprisingly, one that the Manager has worked with previously. Twenty-seven year-old Will Smith appears to have all the leadership characteristics which Adam Lakeland is looking for in his new team. The central defender has played for a number of Yorkshire sides plus Scunthorpe United and Darlington in the past. Last season, he was part of Mr Lakeland’s Halifax squad. Now, with his two-year contract there having expired, the Manager had persuaded him to cross the Pennines and drop one level of football in the Pyramid to take on a new challenge. Adam said this about the man he has renewed his acquaintance with:

“Having worked with Will last season, his day-to-day professionalism, standards and positive attitude were clear to see from day one, despite being injured when he first arrived at the club. On the pitch, he has leadership qualities – but with a calmness. He has unwavering commitment to his teammates; he loves to compete; he can play – and in the opponent’s box he has a real desire to get on the end of things and score goals. In my mind, he will be one of the best central defenders in this league. For us to achieve our objectives next season, we will need to be solid at the back and Will certainly bolsters us in the heart of defence. I look forward to working with him again and have no doubt he will become a big player for the football club.”

The man his Manager obviously invests very high hopes in said the following, once he had signed for the Shrimps:

“The size of the club is a big factor, I came in last week and the stadium is nice, it’s big. The club has got history. It’s got the feel of a proper football club. Behind the scenes, they’ve got some big plans and a very good vision for the next three years which made my decision easier and I’m excited.”

Teddy Collis.

The second player to sign is one the Manager had tried to get his hands on in the past – and failed. Young Teddy Collis arrives directly from Billericay Town, who he has just helped gain promotion to the National League South. The 21-year-old forward is a proven goal-scorer in various non-leagues in the south of the country. This is what his new boss said of him when he signed on the dotted line at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium as it was then:

“He is a player I have wanted to sign for over 12 months and despite being close to getting him to my last club, it never quite happened. The fact that I wanted to take him to the National League tells you how highly I rate Teddy, and I believe he can play even higher, hopefully here at Morecambe one day. He plays with great energy and enthusiasm for the game, is positive, direct, creative and has an eye for goal. He can play in any of the front four positions, and I’m certain he will continue to improve under our guidance and being in full time football will only elevate his game further. Not many 21 years olds have scored over 60 goals in the last three seasons in non-league, not to mention his many assists as well, so I’m sure Teddy will be a real asset to us going forward and I look forward to working with him.”

Teddy responded with these words:

“It’s something to be excited about. I know the last few years haven’t been great but with a new manager; a new team, it’ll be great to be a part of this journey.”

Cameron Coxe.

The third signing of the Lakeland era was former Welsh Under-21 International Cameron Coxe. The twenty-seven-year-old is an experienced full-back who played very occasionally for Cardiff City and then for Solihull Moors on-loan before turning-out for Colchester United both on-loan and permanently. For the last three seasons – although not a regular – he has appeared in the Boreham Wood side and suffered the disappointment of losing the National League Play-Off Final to Rochdale on penalties in May after coming on as a substitute late in the game. His new boss said of him:

“He is a player with tremendous experience, most of which has been in the National League and EFL, which shows we are bringing yet another quality player into the football club. Cameron achieved promotion from the National League South with his last club only two seasons ago, so he understands what is required week in, week out, and you can’t have enough players who understand just what is required to be successful in your dressing room.”

Asked why he had accepted a new opportunity in the north of the country, Cameron replied in these terms:

“To join a club that has those ambitions, that wants to do well, that wants to get promoted. That’s the main aim for everyone involved. It’s something that really excites me and I can’t wait to get going. We all want to give something back this season.”

Taelor O’Kane.

The next player to sign-up for the new-look Shrimps was twenty-year-old midfielder Taelor O’Kane, who moved the short distance from AFC Fylde once his contract expired there. Taelor is thus another player who has chosen to drop a division in the Football Pyramid to throw in his lot with Morecambe. The midfielder has experienced spells on-loan with Chorley and Chester and is thus very experienced for his age at this level of non-league football. The Manager said the following about his latest acquisition:

“He is a player I have been monitoring for a while and is another young player I wanted to take to the National League had I still been at Halifax Town, so that tells you how much confidence I have in Taelor’s potential. It isn’t too long ago that an EFL club was prepared to pay a sizeable sum for Taelor, so I believe he has the quality and the potential to kick on under our guidance. I think Taelor is a powerful player, with great physical attributes and I believe if he is utilised in the correct role, he has the ability to be a real handful from the middle of the pitch with his athleticism and ability to get in the box and convert chances. We will put demands on him to do just that because we believe he is capable, and that is an aspect of his game we will continue to develop to maximise his skill set. Like most young players, Taelor will bring an energy and enthusiasm to us, but he has plenty of games under his belt too so has the robustness to play games at this level and above. I look forward to working with him.”

The man himself said the following about what he perceives his role will be with his new team:

 I’m a midfielder that likes to get on the ball, crash the box and get goals. Hopefully we can put some smiles on faces this season and get a good run going.”

Joe Young.

Although Myles Boney was already on the books, Adam Lakeland wasted little time signing another goalkeeper who will probably be his first choice in the new-look team. Joe Young is a 23-year-old who had been poached from National League North rivals Buxton, where his contract was due to expire at the end of June. The native of Telford stands six feet one in his stocking feet (1.86m) and played at England Under-17 level when he was a member of the nearby Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Academy. Explaining why he made the move for Joe, Adam Lakeland said:

“For me, he was one of the best goalkeepers in the National League North last season, helping Buxton reach the playoffs where they were ultimately defeated by South Shields. I believe Joe will only improve having had that experience, and at 23 years old, has his best years ahead of him. He may not be the biggest in stature, but he is sharp, agile, makes big saves and is excellent with his feet, all attributes we feel will complement us next season. He adds to the already strong goalkeeping department heading into the season and I look forward to working with him.”

Lewis Baines.

Lewis Baines is another player who has been persuaded to drop a division to take up a position at Morecambe. The 27-year-old Centre Half was Captain of Altrincham last season and has a wealth of experience at non-league level with clubs such as Chorley and Bamber Bridge. The Manager explained the reasoning behind this signing thus:

“He’s a player I’ve always liked, not only for his defensive qualities, where he enjoys competing and genuinely looks frustrated whenever his team concedes a goal, but also for his composure in possession and ability to build the game from the back. Being left footed, he will add great balance to our back line, and is yet another leader within the team, having previously captained Altrincham. Lewis is at a great age, with his best years still ahead of him in my opinion, so it’s another signing of real quality and I look forward to working with him.”

From his point of view, Lewis said that he had been persuaded to sign on the dotted line because

“I know the history and how big the club is. It’s not ideal where we are at the moment, but the club seems to be on the up now. They are a big team, well supported. The Gaffer sold me his plans over the next two years, and I jumped at the opportunity.”

Matty Daly.

Spot the deliberate mistake on Facebook:

False news folks! This 25 year-old midfielder has also dropped a grade to play with Morecambe in the National League North next season. He started his career at Everton Academy before moving to Huddersfield’s before progressing to the first team there. He was the Terrier’s youngest-ever debutant when he played as an 18-year-old and went on to play in League Two with Harrogate Town. He has been picked at both England Under-17 and Under-18 level. The Manager explained why he had offered the Stockport native a contract when he said:

“He is someone who I attempted to sign last season and is yet another quality addition to the group. He has played a lot of games in the National League and League Two, and has scored goals in those leagues as well, so I have no doubt he will be a creator and scorer of goals here. At 25 years old, I believe his best years are still ahead of him and I believe it is another statement of intent bringing Matty to the club. I look forward to working with him.”

Eliot Newby.

Eliot Newby is one of twins, the other – Alex – being part of the York squad which won promotion back to the EFL last term. He has been released by hometown club Barrow (where he began his career) following their relegation out of the EFL at the end of last season’s campaign. He is a 30-year-old winger who has also played for a number of non-league clubs: Telford and Altrincham, for example. In the past, he was a member of the Chorley team which won promotion to the National League and – perhaps even more impressively – the Dave Challinor side which took Stockport County back into the EFL. He re-signed for Barrow in League Two three years ago and had been a regular in the team until he was released at the end of their relegation season. This is what Adam Lakeland said about him:

“Elliot has achieved promotion out of this league previously, bringing a wealth of experience with him. I like how direct he is, how aggressive he likes to be with the ball at his feet, the way he carries the ball, and with two good feet, he will hopefully provide another source of goals for us in the form of both assists and goals.”

Lewis Leigh.

22-year-old Preston Lad Lewis Leigh was the next player to sign on the dotted line. What Wikipedia  describes as a `diminutive midfielder (who)  plays in front of the defence and pulls the strings with his long-range passing and relentless tackling” was once a member of the Liverpool Academy. He has also played for Crewe and Bromley (both when they were a non-league and an EFL club) as well as Halifax prior to the Lakeland era there and, most recently, Chester.

The Manager had the following to say about his latest acquisition:

“He was excellent for Chester last season and is another player who, despite being only 22, already has experience playing higher up the pyramid. Lewis is a midfielder who enjoys getting on the ball and dictating play. He always looks to play forward, has the passing range to switch play quickly, and delivers quality from both open play and set-piece situations, making him another valuable source of creativity for us. He also reads the game well, showing excellent awareness through his tackles and interceptions. I believe he has all the attributes to continue developing under our guidance, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.

28-year old winger Isaac is a product of the Manchester City Academy and has played on loan in the Dutch premier league for FC Twente in a half-dozen matches as well as being on the books at Peterborough (for whom he never actually played in the first team) and then on-loan at Oxford United, where he played in eleven games. He has performed at England Under-17; 18 and 20 levels and has subsequently been on the books of several non-league clubs. Most recent of these was Macclesfield, for whom his greatest moment in his football career so far arrived when he scored the winning goal for them in their historic win against Premier League Crystal Palace last season. Before that, he enjoyed stints at minnows Stretford Paddock before playing at a higher level with Southport; Warrington Town and Ashton Curzon, where new Morecambe Manager Adam Lakeland first came across him. This is what Adam had to say about him:

“He is a player who I have seen get to a very high level of performance, particularly during his time in this league at Curzon Ashton, where on his day, he was a real thorn in the oppositions side. He has good pace, he relishes One v One duals – especially when playing on the sides – he can create and score goals and is able to operate off the flanks or through the middle, complementing the other strong attacking options we have.”

Ronnie Blois.

Ronnie is a 19-year-old forward who, the club website tells us, had been signed from Leiston.

Who? Leiston Orient? They don’t tell us. Maybe they don’t know.

Ok. This season, Leiston will play teams such as Kirkley & Patefield; Avebury and Mulbarton Wanderers. Yes – mighty Mulbarton Wanderers, no less. Does that help? No – me neither. Last season, the club’s website tells us, Leiston came eleventh in the Premier Central league, although it doesn’t tell us which one. So are we getting warmer? I don’t think so. Let’s look at the club’s website again for further enlightenment:

“Club History

Leiston Town Football Club were first established in 1880 and at the time were undoubtedly closely associated with the thriving Richard Garrett Engineering Works that was based in the town. The first known record of a match was against Framlingham College in March 1882, a 2-2 draw on the grounds of Newhaven (Fens Meadow) what is now called the Summerhill School. “

Give up? Leiston is in Suffolk and they play in the Southern League Central Premier Division; the equivalent of the Northern Premier League in East Anglia. Young Ronnie Blois scored thirteen goals for them last season and has attracted the attention of EFL clubs such as Blackburn Rovers. This is what his new Manager has to say about him:

“He’s a player who Sam and I became aware of last season and is someone who we believe we can and will continue to nurture into a very good centre forward. He is a young lad who is moving away from home and taking a step into professional football for the first time, so it’s important we don’t put too much pressure and expectation on him too soon. However, that said, Ronnie doesn’t play the game like a typical 19-year-old. He relishes the physical battle which comes with being a number nine and has a great work ethic which can see him dropping in to link play, contest aerial duals, run the channels or play on the shoulder. He has a real appetite to get into positions where he gets chances and scores goals, and he is capable of scoring all types of goals. I’m sure in our team, with the numerous creative players we have, he will score goals and only continue to improve as a player under our guidance. I look forward to working with him and it’s yet another talented, hungry young prospect, with a bright future, joining our group.”

Joe Garner.

A signing made after pre-season games had already begun was Joe Garner, a 38-year-old Centre Forward with over 600 competitive games under his belt and a wealth of experience at clubs such as Oldham Athletic; Carlisle United; PNE (where he ended the season as the Division’s top scorer and won League One Player of the Year); Watford and elsewhere.

The Manager explained his reasons for signing a man only three years younger than himself in these terms:

“The career he’s had speaks for itself, but despite everything he has achieved, playing for top clubs and winning promotions, I still see someone who relishes competing, hates losing, loves scoring goals and has an unwavering desire to win football matches. That competitive edge and enthusiasm for the game are just two of the reasons he’s still performing at such a high level, and why he was able to make such a positive impact in League Two last season. I believe Joe will have a hugely positive influence both on and off the pitch for us. While he may not play 90 minutes in every game across the season, whenever he is on the pitch he will be a real handful for defenders, giving us a focal point in attack and creating opportunities for the players around him. Away from the pitch, his character, professionalism and wealth of experience will only strengthen our environment. He will help drive the standards we expect every day and provide invaluable guidance for the younger players in the squad, particularly our attacking players, who have so much they can learn from him. I’m really looking forward to working with him and seeing the impact he’ll have on this group.”

Thanks but No Thanks.

Some players – notably and perhaps most surprisingly the iconic Yann Songo’o – were not offered new contracts by our club and will be missed in their absence next season. Others weren’t offered new contracts and will not be missed at all. Still others offered renewed terms and decided to turn them down for whatever reason. We must remember that players are not fans. They are professionals with Agents; careers and often families to consider. The National League North is not a place most professional footballers would choose to ply their trade – particularly not if better offers from higher-grade clubs are on the table for them, probably with a larger pay packet attached. So we can’t blame any of them for going elsewhere if they get the chance to improve their lives – or think they can.

Jack Nolan was the first player who chose to leave. This man has a tremendous amount of skill, as his goal-return (19) in a losing side showed all too well last season. Lots of other clubs will have noticed this. Interim Manager Jim Bentley always made his frustration with Jack known though; saying he should play more centrally and look to create more chances. I think it’s fair to say that there was always a question about his temperament as well and how committed he really was to the cause – physically in particular – on the pitch. Accrington Stanley let him go because they clearly thought he was not fulfilling his potential and he unquestionably has something to prove at his latest club – Hartlepool. It is interesting that he is signing for a National League rather than an EFL club and it will be interesting to see how his career pans out from this point in time. Jack is a one-trick pony: every team that denied him the space to turn onto his stronger left foot last term basically marked him out of the game: and that’s all any opposition needs to do to nullify his impact completely.

Gwion Edwards.

Someone who nobody could ever accuse of being a one-trick pony or not fully committing himself on the pitch was Gwion Edwards. 33-year old Gwion is in the twilight of his career – a career which has always been blighted by injuries. Ever since Ged Brannan brought the Welshman to the club, though, he has been the outstanding talent in the Shrimps’ ranks. He has tremendous skill on the ball, is brave; reads the game well and leads by example. Some of the goals he has got for Morecambe are among the best ever scored by any man wearing a red shirt anywhere. He will be badly missed and Exeter City’s gain is very much our loss. Again. Gwion’s return to the EFL in Devon means he will be taking the place in their ranks of another former favourite of ours and one more Morecambe Lost Soul: the incomparable Carlos Mendes-Gomes, who has apparently returned to parent club Bolton after being on-loan at St James Park last season. If he can stay fit, Gwion will have a huge influence on his newly-relegated team. We shall miss him.

Miguel Azeez.

Rumours abounded towards the end of last season that Carlisle United wanted to sign our number eight of the time. Personally, I would have been happy to see him go then. This is what I wrote about this gentleman in my review of last season and I see no reason to change any of it:

“Miguel’s older brother – Femi – is a fantastic footballer. If Millwall had actually made it to the Promised Land of the Premiership this season, Femi Azeez would be the major reason they had done so. But Miguel isn’t in the same class – and very far from it. For Morecambe, he made the occasional wonder pass and scored the occasional exceptional goal. But he didn’t do either of these things consistently or often enough. His commitment to the cause on the field – particularly when the going was tough – was questionable in the extreme and he made far too many serious blunders. I suspect that he set-up more opposition goals – with poor or ill-judged passes which he never tried to recover – than he actually scored for our team.“

Carlisle is probably about right for him: just as was the case with Jack Nolan, you suspect that EFL scouts don’t see either player as skilful enough – unlike Gwion Edwards – to compete in the Football League.

Lewis Payne.

Lewis is another player who will be missed at the Halo Stadium. I was personally surprised that he has not gone to an EFL club given his talent as a wing back and the potential he showed under Jim Bentley last season. But Lewis has opted to sign for recently demoted Harrogate Town and will ply his trade in the National League next season instead.

The Old Guard:

Ben Williams, Paul Lewis and goalkeeper Myles Boney have all accepted renewed contracts and signed-on again for the club. Liam Hogan was already on contract and will play for at least another season at the Halo Stadium.

I personally thought that Jake Cain was the best player signed by the previous `Manager’ last season. His positive contribution to an otherwise disastrous campaign was severely hampered by injuries, though. Given that his name does not appear amongst those of the current squad and I can find no references to him elsewhere, I assume that he has been forced to retire. I hope I’m wrong. Good luck to the lad whatever has happened: this was one really talented individual.

2026/27 Squad Numbers.

1 Joe Young
2 Cameron Coxe
3 Ben Williams
4 Liam Hogan
5 Will Smith
6 Lewis Baines
7 Teddy Collis
8 Lewis Leigh

9 Joe Garner
10 Matty Daly
11 Elliot Newby
13 Myles Boney
14 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts
17 Paul Lewis
18 Taelor O’Kane
19 Ronnie Blois
26 Lennon Dobson
27 Adam Fairclough
28 Elijah Vilchez
29 Oscar Wright
30 Corey Goodyear
31 Alfie Scales.

Tomorrow, in the final instalment, we will look at what happened during Adam Lakeland’s pre-season campaign.