Morecambe Football Club has been to the brink and back again—now, in a remarkable twist of fate, the historic Lancashire club stands on the cusp of a new era. After months of turmoil, unpaid wages, and the looming threat of expulsion from the National League, salvation arrived in the form of Panjab Warriors, a global sports investment group, whose timely takeover has reignited hope among staff, players, and the entire community. The club’s suspension from the National League, imposed amid financial chaos, was officially lifted on August 17, 2025, clearing the way for a future that just days earlier seemed impossible.
The drama reached its crescendo just hours before a possible expulsion. Staff had been left in tears, with only a third of June’s wages paid and nothing in July, prompting local food banks to step in for those struggling to make ends meet. Friendlies were canceled, and primary school events at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium were scrapped. The club’s roster was whittled down to just eight professional players, and the opening three fixtures of the season were postponed. For many, including lifelong kit man Les Dewhirst, who has served the club for nearly three decades, the situation was nothing short of soul-destroying. “This is my club. I would be the last one out of this club. They’d have to drag me out and I mean that. I really mean that,” Dewhirst told The Mirror. He described the emotional toll of watching staff depart and the club’s future hang by a thread, but now he’s “thrilled to be rushed off his feet once again.”
Relief swept through the town when, on August 18, Morecambe FC confirmed that the Panjab Warriors’ acquisition was complete. Funds were received to pay all outstanding wages, liabilities to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and other football creditors. The club announced that all debts would be settled by August 20, with the embargo on player transfers set to be lifted immediately after. “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,” a club spokesperson stated. With this, the curtain fell on Jason Whittingham’s ownership, which began in May 2018. The club expressed gratitude for his tenure and wished him the best for the future.
Panjab Warriors wasted no time in outlining their vision for Morecambe’s rebirth. In a statement, they praised the resilience of staff, players, and fans, singling out the Shrimps Trust and local MP Lizzi Collinge for their tireless advocacy. “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,” the new owners declared. They also acknowledged the role of MPs, including the Prime Minister and Lisa Nandy, in raising the club’s plight in Parliament. “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.”
While the initial aim was to challenge for immediate promotion back to League Two, Panjab Warriors have tempered expectations for the 2025-2026 season. “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,” they explained. The club, which spent 18 proud years in the English Football League, is determined to return and will protect the heritage and identity that makes Morecambe unique.
Central to this new chapter is the appointment of Ashvir Singh Johal as manager—a historic moment for British football. At just 30 years old, Johal becomes the first Sikh to manage a professional British club and is now the youngest manager in the top five tiers of English football. He steps into the role following the Panjab Warriors’ takeover, succeeding Derek Adams. Johal arrives amid adversity, inheriting a depleted squad and a club desperate for stability. Yet, his optimism shines through. “It’s about building a team that can perform on the pitch. That’s our priority this season, how do we get a team that performs but how do we build the processes, the infrastructure behind the scenes where the club becomes sustainable in the next few years, where there’s a steady pipeline of players from the academy going into the first team, (and) we’re identifying players to sign that we can sell for profit and reinvest?” Johal told Morecambe’s website.
He added, “We want to make sure the situation that happened over the last couple of years never happens again because no club, no town, no people deserve that. I think that is my focus; make sure we have a team and a club that the people here can really call their own – and I’m coming to be part of the Morecambe family.” Johal’s vision includes integrating young talent from the academy, fostering a sustainable model, and creating a club that locals can be proud of. “I’m now a fan of Morecambe, I’m a supporter, but now it’s about building, it’s about growing and making sure in three, four, five years’ time, this is a completely energised and galvanised Morecambe Football Club that thrives in the EFL.”
Supporters, too, have been vocal about their renewed hope. Lifelong fan David Freear, a former club commentator, expressed his elation: “It’s been very much a roller coaster but to get through it we are all rejoicing. We are season ticket holders and thought we were going to be claiming it back on our credit card. It’s been a long haul and for sale for two years. We never thought this day would happen.” Chair of the Shrimps Trust, Pat Stoyles, echoed the sense of relief: “It’s a huge relief that we’re actually going to be able to play football this season.”
As the Mazuma Mobile Stadium prepares to welcome Altrincham for the season opener, the sense of community pride is palpable. Local MP Lizzi Collinge, who championed the club’s cause in Parliament, summed up the mood: “It’s such a relief to see the club sold and it’s positive that the club can now focus on football. I’m really looking forward to getting back on the terraces with other fans and treating myself to a portion of the best pie in football.”
Morecambe FC’s future is far from certain, with only a handful of professional players and the challenge of rebuilding both on and off the pitch. But for now, the town can breathe a sigh of relief. The Shrimps are alive, kicking, and ready to write the next chapter in their storied history—one built on resilience, unity, and a deep love for the beautiful game.
