New Morecambe owners issue a statement on taking over the club, decide to sack Derek Adams, and quickly replace him with a new manager.
At 6:20pm on Monday 18th August, Morecambe confirmed that Panjab Warriors had completed their takeover of the club.
Just over an hour later, Morecambe sacked manager Derek Adams, and fair to say it caused a huge stir on social media.
At 9am the day after, 30 year old Ashvir Singh Johal was appointed as the new Shrimps boss, with fans wishing him all the best, as they look to rebuild, refocus, and turn attention to a season that might not have been if it weren’t for the takeover.
Morecambe FC Welcomes New Era as Panjab Warriors Complete Club Acquisition.#UTS 🦐
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) August 18, 2025
STATEMENT ON TAKEOVER:
Morecambe Football Club is delighted to confirm that the acquisition of the club by Panjab Warriors has now officially completed, upon National League formal approval for completion of the sale to take place.
The National League have confirmed to us yesterday that the current suspension from the National League has been lifted and once all outstanding Football related debt are paid the current Embargo will also be immediately lifted.
We can confirm that we have received funds from our new owners Panjab Warriors this morning to pay all outstanding Wages, HMRC liabilities and all other Football Creditors which will all be paid by Wednesday 20th August 2025 and will be in the Bank Accounts of all individuals by the end of Wednesday.
This marks the end of Jason Whittingham’s tenure as owner, who took control of the club through Bond Group Investments in May 2018. All at the club, would like to thank Jason and wish him the very best for the future.
A statement from our new owners, Panjab Warriors:
Panjab Warriors are delighted to become the new owners of Morecambe Football Club.
A special mention to all the members of staff at Morecambe (both playing and non-playing) and to all players for showing true integrity and togetherness over the past few months during this difficult period.
We would like to thank the local community and all our incredible supporters of Morecambe FC, whose passion and resilience carried the club through some extremely difficult moments. It was truly great to see these fans represented with such professionalism by the Shrimps Trust, firstly under the leadership of Tarnia Elsworth and now under Patrick Stoyles, a true example of how to channel all the different voices into one very strong robust voice that has been very instrumental in achieving this historic outcome.
We are truly proud of the response of all, both young and old that have collectively shown such amazing strength of character in the face of such adversity, all at Panjab Warriors deem themselves very fortunate to be given this opportunity to integrate with such an amazing Fan base.
We would also like to thank the numerous MPs, including the Prime minister and Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport but Lizzi Collinge MP for her tireless support of the club, including raising its plight in Parliament, and her unequivocal support of the club throughout this summer.
We can now move forward and pursue our objectives of building a football operation that is on par with the best of modern standards across clubs in England. Morecambe spent 18 proud years in the EFL. It is where the club belongs, and we will do everything we can to get there again.
Our initial aim for this season was to immediately challenge for direct promotion back to League Two, but we understand that due to the events and circumstances of the last couple of months, it will be difficult to achieve that objective this season. The priority for this season will be to ensure that we have a competitive team on the pitch, and rebuild the foundations behind the scenes, and develop processes, that will help us compete for promotion in the following season and beyond.
It is important for us that we continue to reflect our town and represent our supporters. We understand what this club means to our local community. We will protect the heritage of Morecambe FC, and preserve everything that makes the club what it is. This is a proud club with a big history and its own identity. We will make sure that that is never changed. We understand the pride, emotion and loyalty that is tied to the club. We are very ambitious and want to give Morecambe FC the platform and resources to compete at higher levels, but every step will be taken with the heart and spirit of a community led club at the core.
Our job is to now ensure that the good times return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
“I’d be homeless without Derek Adams.”
One anonymous member of staff told me this after the now sacked Morecambe manager had paid their rent whilst they went without wages.
Panjab Warriors can do as they wish now they own the club, but Adams’ contributions go beyond the pitch. pic.twitter.com/qTDaw2GrLh
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) August 18, 2025
Morecambe Football Club Part Ways with Derek Adams.#UTS 🦐
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) August 18, 2025
Morecambe Football Club can confirm that we have parted ways with Derek Adams.
Morecambe Football Club, now proudly backed by Panjab Warriors would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Derek Adams for the leadership and steadiness he brought to the club during a testing chapter for the club.
His return instilled direction and purpose, helping guide Morecambe into League One for the first time in their history and stabilized the team under immense pressure.
As the club enters a new era, a strategic transition in leadership, has been made with respect and appreciation for Derek’s services.
We wish Derek Adams every success in his future endeavours.
Morecambe Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Ashvir Singh Johal as the Club’s new First Team Manager.
He arrives at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium with an excellent reputation as a forward-thinking coach and leader, bringing with him a wealth of experience in player development, tactical innovation, and building high-performance cultures.
Ashvir spent 10 years at Leicester City, coaching players in the academy setup from U7s all the way through to U18s, during that time Leicester City went through their most successful period as a football club.
His first experience at first team coaching came when he joined Wigan Athletic in 2022 as first-team coach in the Championship.
In June 2025, at 30 years old, he completed his UEFA Pro Licence with the FA, the highest qualification in management and football coaching.
His appointment marks an exciting new era for the Shrimps as the Club continues its journey under fresh ownership and renewed ambition.
Ashvir takes charge with immediate effect and will begin preparations for the upcoming season.
Morecambe FC would like to extend a warm welcome to Ashvir and wishes him every success in his new role.
Speaking on his appointment, Ashvir expressed pride and excitement in his first managerial role, promising a hardworking team that represents the town, focusing on immediate player recruitment for strong National League performance and building a distinctive, energetic style of play.His background includes 10 years at Leicester City’s academy (developing Premier League talents), assisting Kolo Touré at Wigan Athletic, Cesc Fàbregas at Como (cut short by Brexit), and managing Notts County’s B team.
The long-term vision is for sustainable success through academy pipelines, profitable player sales, and infrastructure to thrive in the EFL, inspired by clubs like Stockport.
And in the short-term, to retain league status with enjoyable, dominant football, with the help of being emotionally invested as a new Morecambe supporter, aiming to end recent hardships.
Here’s how fans reacted as new Morecambe owners issue a statement, sack Derek Adams, and quickly replace him…
@FreddieFletch5: speaks very well, now back it up.
@Staners6: Welcome Ashvir to @MorecambeFC you’ve joined and become manager of a great football club with great fans ❤️ Get your team to playing for the badge working hard and attacking football and you will loved by them. Good luck Ashvir and please bring the good times back. 👊❤️⚽️🦐 #UTS
@cafcBrownsJFT97: That was coming, but he’s paid his dues and deserves a chance. Good luck to him and the Shrimps.🤞🙏
@Bobby_Brown43: Welcome ASJ 🦐 Work starts now, you will have our full backing. Big boots to fill, but a great first impression.
@swaz_15: Welcome Ash ! Full support behind you from the shrimps 🦐 Busy week ahead
@jswindle29: Welcome, leading a new beginning. Exciting times. Full backing.
@BillyCarroll21: Goes from bad to worse at Morecambe. Never seen a new ownership try to piss off the fanbase so quickly. Two absolutely ridiculous decisions in sacking Derek Adams and appointing this bloke. Panjab proving within 24 hours that they’re totally incompetent
@HrDesert: Speaks well! Welcome and good luck.
@murphystanacc: A very interesting time. A manager with experience too. Be keen to see the Morecambe revival
@joelshooter47: Welcome to ASV! Genuinely good coaching credentials – similarly to Derek, got his UEFA Pro at a notably young age. Crazy big task this for a first time manager though. Best of luck to him, hopefully he does well 🦐
@MorecambeFCFeed: We seriously trying to be positive about this?
@joelshooter47: It’s a nice welcome message, relax pal. I have my concerns, but no reason not to wish him the best and genuinely want him to succeed.
@MorecambeFCFeed: Of course I do as well, but come on!!!
@joelshooter47: I’m genuinely stumped by what you’re finding an issue with RE my tweet? Wished him luck, acknowledged he’s got some good coaching credentials, also acknowledged it’s a very difficult task he’s got.
@richardfallan: Would you have trusted Derek to stay the course? If they were using Derek as a stopgap – why wait? It’s a bold appointment, it’s a very Morecambe fit – no-one will give him a chance, and no big names would probably touch us. Play the hand we’ve been dealt, not the one we want
@MorecambeFCFeed: I don’t agree with the two lines. Of course other managers would’ve wanted to take over. Last line, why shouldn’t fans be able to voice their opinions on a decision that’s baffling every fanbase seemingly apart from our own?
@FreddieFletch5: are you seriously trying to moan about everything? we were less than a week away from going bust panjab have single handedly saved the club. they’ve brought in a new manager for a fresh start get behind him and the team he brings in and see what happens
@MorecambeFCFeed: Let’s see what happens…
