Panjab Warriors say they have decided to take legal action amid a proposed sale of Morecambe FC to a consortium led by Jonny Cato.
Legal action has been initiated by Panjab Warriors, who are the prospective owners of the club, who have cancelled their upcoming pre-season friendly with Barrow.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that consortium led by investor Jonny Cato was set to take over of the National League club, as confirmed by current owner Jason Whittingham.
This group is separate from Panjab Warriors, whose earlier takeover bid was approved by the EFL after Morecambe’s relegation from League Two.
Although terms were initially agreed with Panjab Warriors, Cato’s last-minute bid has taken precedence. Whittingham stated that Cato’s group, with no ties to his Bond Group, will finalise sales agreements, including a payment to cover staff and player wages during the National League approval process.
This follows a turbulent period, with fears for the club’s survival after partial payment of June’s payroll and threats of administration.
The former board, briefly sacked and reinstated, resigned after the Panjab Warriors deal collapsed.
Sanny Rudravajhala summed up the situation in his report for Sky Sports: “Whatever your team that loves more than skin deep. And for Morecambe fans with time running out, the message to their owner is clear.
“And that’s what Jason Whittingham was supposed to have done by now. A deal agreed and approved has stalled.
“And last week, amid a slew of statements and counterclaims, the board resigned in protest as financial reserves ran dry.
“Promotion to League One, a high point. Morecambe were relegated out of the league last season.
“The EFL had approved their sale to Punjab Warriors in June, but the new owners, having already invested into the club, are still waiting.
“Friday marked a deadline for paperwork to be submitted to the FA and National League.
“Then we had news of a new buyer, Jonny Cato, announced at lunchtime. But after so many statements from the club, those closest are taking what should be good news with a pinch of salt.
“Across shifting sands, the shrimps have stayed strong for over a century. But without intervention, they are facing extinction.”
Morecambe FC are facing extinction
Report on @SkySportsNews part 2/2 #uts @MorecambeFC pic.twitter.com/p2GjL0P4lB— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) July 19, 2025
Urgent Statement from Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd
Re: Attempted Sale of Morecambe FC to Mr Jonny Cato
– 18 July 2025Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd (PW) expresses deep concern and strongly contests yesterday’s public announcement by Mr Jason Whittingham regarding a proposed sale. pic.twitter.com/6q0O6TXyOI
— Panjabwarriorsofficial (@Panjabwarriors) July 19, 2025
We can confirm that our scheduled pre-season fixture against Barrow AFC on Tuesday 22 July has been cancelled.#UTS 🦐
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) July 19, 2025
Urgent Statement from Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd. – 18 July 2025
Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd (PW) expresses deep concern and strongly contests yesterday’s public announcement by Mr Jason Whittingham regarding a proposed sale of Morecambe Football Club to a consortium including named individual Mr Jonny Cato.
This unwelcome development disregards the significant financial, legal, and regulatory steps already taken by PW to support and acquire Morecambe FC over the past 14 months. It also raises serious questions about transparency, governance, and the continued wellbeing of the Club.
Our Position
Panjab Warriors has acted in good faith throughout an unduly protracted transaction process. Our contributions include:
• Procuring over £1.7 million in working capital injected directly into Morecambe FC to support player wages, operational costs, and football infrastructure.
• Direct payments made with the full knowledge and active encouragement of Bond Group and its sole director, Mr Whittingham.
• Formal approval of our ownership by the EFL, following a comprehensive review of our structure, funding, and intent.
• Signed undertakings and legal agreements, which Mr Whittingham and Bond appear to have repeatedly delayed or ignored, despite public and private assurances.
Legal Action Initiated
Recently our solicitors at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP served formal legal notices of claim to both Mr Jason Whittingham and Bond Group . The National League remains updated and engaged with PW. These actions have been taken following grounds to investigate:
• Repeated breaches of what has been agreed.
• A clear breakdown in process, transparency, and good faith. We have invited Bond Group to meet with us to resolve matters.
While we expect some matters to be still contested, we await Mr Whittingham’s and the Bond Group’s full response once they have sought legal advice. We strongly recommend that Mr Cato or any party acting on his behalf to seek immediate independent legal advice and full disclosure before engag-ing further with Bond Group. Any attempt to acquire the club without proper diligence may carry significant legal and reputational risk.
Our Commitment
We remain fully committed to the long-term future of Morecambe FC, its staff, supporters, and community. Our actions have always been guided by the desire to protect the Club’s continuity and rebuild it on sound financial and operational footing.
We understand how distressing and exhausting this situation has been for fans and staff. We share your frustration — and we assure you that we are doing everything possible to bring this matter to a fair and lawful conclusion.
The Path Ahead
It is not our desire to see Morecambe FC enter administration. However, if it becomes the only remaining route to stabilise the Club, protect creditors, and prevent further damage from prolonged obstruction, there is no alternative.
We also urge the National League and relevant football authorities to fully review the legality and feasibility of any new proposed sale — particularly considering the following:
• Ongoing legal proceedings to be commenced by PW.
• Outstanding financial obligations to PW and the Club. • The grounds to investigate the serious questions around the governance and representations of Bond Group.
Final Note
As this matter continues, we encourage all parties — including supporters, sponsors, and governing bodies — to remain vigilant.
Panjab Warriors stands ready, willing, and able to complete the acquisition of Morecambe FC in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Public Statement on Behalf of Jason Whittingham, Bond Group.#UTS 🦐
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) July 18, 2025
STATEMENT FROM JASON WHITTINGHAM:
11:45am – Friday 18th July
An announcement had been planned for this afternoon, but due to false speculation about the buyer’s identity we have received consent to disclose the buyer’s identity.
The consortium buying Bond Group’s interest in the club, subject to National League approval, is led by Mr Jonny Cato with an impressive group being built around him to develop the club over the coming seasons.
Neither Jonny or his team have any connection to Jason or Bond Group of any kind and as before, nobody from the consortium has yet been named publicly. The current false speculation and guesses about the buyer’s identify are not accurate.
Sales agreements will be completed today (Friday 18 July 2025) and will include a generous payment from the buyer to pay staff and players while the National League approval process is completed. We are grateful for this gesture of goodwill when the club and its stakeholders needed it most.
This sale has progressed at a rapid pace and, once again, we are thankful to the buyer and his legal team for expediting the process to ensure the club’s status in the league was preserved.
The buyers will engage directly with the National League and the fans to introduce themselves and share their exciting plans for the club.
Further announcement to follow today.
Jason Whittingham,
Bond Group Investments LTD
Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge spoke to BBC Lancashire on the latest developments: “We won’t stop worrying until we know the sale’s gone through. We’ve been here before. We’ve had statements saying sale is imminent, and it’s not happened.
“And I think everyone is worried sick. Everyone’s really worried about the future of the club.
“Obviously, everyone’s worried about the staff who haven’t been paid properly. And we’ve been kept waiting, being held hostage all this time. And until we know the sales gone through, I don’t think we can rest easy.”
Interviewer: “Doesn’t make it easy for fans, does it? But they keep getting told that the sales happening is gonna happen tomorrow, if everything’s gonna be sorted.
“And yet three weeks down the line from staff not being paid, we’re still here three weeks now to the start of the season.”
Lizzi: “And the thing is, there’s only so much hope you can bear, to be honest, and to have it dashed again and again and again, it is devastating.
“You know, we thought we were all lined up with the Panjab Warriors. We thought we were all lined up to to move on to the next chapter in the club, a brighter future.
“And again and again, that’s been you know, the rug’s been pulled out from underneath our feet.”
Interviewer: “And a new name’s come to the fore today as well, which has surprised a lot of people here.”
Lizzi: “Yeah. This new name’s come forward. I mean, I’ve never heard of him. And, again, until until we see the paperwork signed, until we see the sale go through, we can’t believe it.”
Interviewer: “Rod Taylor today said the the club was on the brink, and and that’s really sad to hear, especially someone like Rod say that, isn’t it?”
Lizzi: “Yeah. And, you know, Rod’s been around for a very long time, and he served the club really, really well as have all the board of directors, the former directors.
“And to see, you know, a huge chunk of his life’s work be at risk must be devastating. It’s devastating for the whole town, you know, because the club isn’t just a football club. It’s not just where people go to watch the footy.
“You know, we’ve got the community foundation. They work with veterans. They work with young people. They work with the community. Everyone’s life events take part at the football club. “We’ve seen primary school leaving dos cancelled.
“And while the community stepped up and it and it always does, you know, on that Thursday night when I saw those, leaving dos have been canceled, I thought I’ll ring those schools in the morning.
“But you know what? I reckon it’ll already be sorted by then.
“And it was because Morecambe comes together and looks after its own.
“But the town shouldn’t be being put through this by this bad owner.”
Interviewer: “Fans, of course, but they’re also your constituents. And I guess you’ve had lots of correspondence with them as well about this.”
Lizzi: “Yeah. Lots of letters, lots of emails, lots of concern, obviously.
“And, of course, people getting in touch who are worried about their livelihood, trying to get them the support that they need.
“So Citizens Advice have been brilliant. Local businesses have been brilliant stepping in to support those staff.
“And, really, this is what being an MP is all about. It’s fighting for community.
“And to see this impact on on the people that you care about so much, it’s it’s pretty heartbreaking.”
Interviewer: “Heartbreaking indeed. And let’s hope that there is a solution as soon as possible.”
Lizzi: “We can only hope.”
Former Morecambe Co-Chairman Graham Howse reacted to a statement by owner Jason Whittingham announcing a new proposed takeover.
Graham said: “I’m a little skeptical in the fact that, we’ve heard stories like this before.
“I’m encouraged if it means that the football club can survive to tell the tale, but I also am concerned about any legal ramifications given we had a potential buyer who’d almost bought the football club.
“So it seems like a challenge, but we all want the football club to survive.
Interviewer: “Have you heard of Jonny Cato?”
Graham: “I haven’t, unfortunately. I believe that our fans will no doubt be doing some research on the gentleman to see whether he has the financial way with all to back the club. But also, it’s part of a consortium, so it’s difficult to tell right now.”
Interviewer: “And what happens to Panjab Warriors?”
Graham: “Exactly. I’m sure they’ll have something to say when they’ve seen the press release because they have funded the football club during the last football season.
“They put money into the club on the basis that they were gonna buy it. So, I’m sure they’ll have concerns over what that means for the investment they’ve already made.”
Interviewer: “And in terms of the timescale now, this still has to be signed off, ratified by the the the powers that be, the National League.
“How confident are you that that can be done in time for the start of the new season, which is just weeks away?”
Graham: “Well, I would hope that the the the football bodies will do everything they can to make sure the football club survives.
“And what we’re hearing is that they would do that. So I don’t think things are necessarily gonna happen today if that’s the case, but they’ll there’s a limit to it, isn’t there? And we have we don’t have enough players.
“We have a transfer embargo right now, so we need that to be lifted to allow the football club to function and give it a chance.”
Interviewer: “And on the worst case scenario, that this isn’t sorted out, what are your fears?”
Graham: “The fears are that doesn’t have a football club anymore, and that would be devastating and, heartbreaking for everybody concerned.”
