An update has been given on Morecambe’s takeover saga, the upcoming Fylde friendly, and the players’ stance as of the 23rd July 2025.
Morecambe’s scheduled friendly against AFC Fylde WILL go ahead this Saturday, fielding a full first-team squad, despite the recent cancellation of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Barrow AFC.
The Barrow match was called off due to the players’ collective decision not to play until the club’s ownership issues are resolved, as per the Shrimps Trust.
Morecambe haven’t played a home pre-season friendly so far this summer.
However, the club confirmed via Twitter: “We can confirm that our pre-season friendly against AFC Fylde will go ahead as planned this coming Saturday.”
We can confirm that our pre-season friendly against AFC Fylde will go ahead as planned this coming Saturday.#UTS 🦐 pic.twitter.com/HLSi9MDMVv
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) July 22, 2025
Morecambe manager Derek Adams has told BBC Radio Lancashire:
“The players are not on strike and they all trained today at the training ground. Their professionalism has been magnificent during this difficult time. We all want this situation to be resolved and the best outcome… pic.twitter.com/by0td4azsr— BBC Sport Lancashire (@BBCLancsSport) July 22, 2025
Before the confirmation, Morecambe boss Derek Adams revealed that the players are continuing to prepare professionally despite the uncertainty surrounding the club.
“The players are not on strike and they all trained today at the training ground,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“Their professionalism has been magnificent during this difficult time.
“We all want this situation to be resolved and the best outcome for Morecambe Football Club.”
AFC Fylde said<: ”The club have been in regular contact with Morecambe Football Club as we seek confirmation that our fixture will go ahead as originally scheduled.
”We have received assurances that Morecambe will be able to fulfil the fixture and will be able to field a first-team squad.
”On that basis, the club would like to confidently say that the fixture will go ahead as planned, and encourage supporters to continue buying tickets both in person and online as we prepare for a crucial weekend of preparation ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
”Of course, if the situation at Morecambe Football Club changes, we will communicate with supporters as soon as possible regarding our fixture on Saturday, 26th July.
”We join the rest of the footballing community in hoping Morecambe’s difficult situation is resolved in the coming days, and we look forward to welcoming them to Mill Farm this weekend.
”Thank you for your understanding and patience.”
Excl: I have been told that this announcement is the first that the Morecambe players have heard about this.
They are currently refusing to play matches until the current ownership situation is resolved.
And – per reports: Derek Adams says players still training.@SkySportsNews https://t.co/rCO8VqXsLZ
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) July 22, 2025
Please see below the latest update from the Trust on the situation as we currently understand it. pic.twitter.com/oVhBoFUyFx
— Shrimps Trust 🦐 (@shrimpstrust) July 23, 2025
SHRIMPS TRUST STATEMENT (23 July):
The Trust would like to update members and fans alike on our actions, and the updates throughout the past couple of days. Bond Group The Shrimps Trust have had some communication with Bond Group. This has been in the form of messages in which Jason Whittingham assures us daily that a sale will complete soon – either to the new consortium’ or to Panjab Warriors. We have stressed to Jason on behalf of everyone that we have heard this for weeks now, and how dire the consequences will be should the sale not happen. Bond Group continue to claim they want a sale. Given the past few weeks, we hold little store in the updates we are receiving.
Regulators
The Trust were booked in to have a meeting with the National League on Tuesday. Frustratingly, this did not take place. From conversations we have had with them, it seems their regulations aren’t fit to support our club at present. We remain in contact with them and the Football Association, and are exploring every possible angle. We have also asked the NL to be transparent about what deadlines there are on this situation being resolved. Their response is that this is not set in stone, so we need to work with them on a flexible basis. Further updates will follow when we pin them down to meet.
Panjab Warriors
We understand PW remain in contact with the NL and Bond Group. We have not had confirmation over whether legal proceedings have begun. PW are working with all parties on this to ensure that next steps are taken correctly, and to make sure that the implication of any action is fully understood.
Media
You will have seen the Football Governance Bill passed into law this week. We remain in contact with our MP and the DCMS, and thank Lisa Nandy MP and Stephanie Peacock MP for keeping Morecambe FC at the forefront of their interviews on this topic. Our Chair spoke to Keiran Maguire and Kevin Hunter-Day of the ‘Price of Football’ podcast on Tuesday, and we thank them for their time. This interview will go out on Thursday morning. We also remain in contact with multiple media outlets. Thank you to all the mainstream media who have worked with on this so far. Our contact is medianshrimostrust.co.uk for anyone who wants to get in touch.
Football Governance
We have a meeting with Lizzi Collinge on Thursday afternoon, at which we hope a representative from the DCMS will be in attendance. We will be continuing to work through the roadmap for the introduction of the Football Governance Act, and how quickly it can support Morecambe FC.
AGM
Our AGM is booked for 31 July at 6.30pm for a 6.4Spm start at the Strathmore Hotel. This will be a formal meeting with a business agenda to get through. While we will be taking questions from members, the focus of this meeting must be on the formal constitutional matters the Trust has to legally complete each year.
Note: Due to venue size, we only have space for 100 members at the AGM. Nominated Trustees are already registered so please just come along. A booking link will be posted for other members to register on in due course. We will need to work on a ‘no ticket, no entry’ basis on the night.
We are pursuing all lines of action/pressure that we can at present. We will update when practicably possible.
Councillor Clark Kent, chairperson of Morecambe Town Council, said on behalf of the town council: “Morecambe Town Council is dismayed at the developments that have taken place at Morecambe Football Club over the past few weeks.
“Having witnessed multiple false dawns over the sale process and the saga showing no sign of coming to an end, the Council feels compelled to add its voice to the chorus of people registering their anger at the current situation.
“We implore Jason Whittingham and Bond Group to complete a sale as soon as possible, that staff be paid, and that our club gets back to playing football.
“We want to take this opportunity to express our solidarity with and sympathy for the staff, players and all associated with the club who are being severely impacted by the decisions being taken.
“It is deeply upsetting to see their wellbeing and livelihoods on the line.
“We also wish to thank our MP Lizzi Collinge, the former board of directors, the Shrimps Trust, the fans of Morecambe FC, and everyone else who has or is pulling every lever available to them to try and achieve a positive outcome and bring an end to this sorry situation.
“To finish on a more positive note, it has been truly heartening to see the people and businesses of Morecambe and Lancaster rally around our beleaguered club, doing whatever they can to help – be that saving children’s parties to offering free food to staff.
“Everyone in the town should be so proud of the community spirit that has been shown over the past few weeks.
“You’ve been an absolute credit to yourselves.”
Friendly cancelled as Morecambe players decide not to play until ownership saga is resolved
Panjab Warriors take legal action amid proposed sale of Morecambe to Jonny Cato consortium
