A happy ending. That’s what we’d all like in football, it’s what we’re in it for but the chances of success are slim with only so many cups to go around and no more than two sides gaining promotion at non-league level.
This happy ending is something to celebrate but also something that we shouldn’t be here this week having to pop the corks for. It was also something after the Southend Utd situation that you hope would never be coming again, but unfortunately you can’t be that naïve in football sadly.
Tomorrow afternoon Morecambe FC take to the field to finally begin their 2025/26 season. Non-league have been aware of the situation for the last few months, some of the wider football world for longer and the mainstream media about two weeks because to them it’s exciting news a club is on it’s deathbed but very little said in the weeks before.
Football has some problems, well football has a lot of problems and it’s highly unlikely they’ll all ever be fixed for good. But we’re here to talk about the Shrimps and that we will. Most of this article will be open for all to read but to get the full piece, take advantage of the great offer on the link directly below.
I give as much airtime as I can when clubs are in trouble across our levels. I’ll be honest and say I don’t enjoy watching the figures when writing on these pieces, I’d rather those with bigger reaches telling the story. In fact, I’d rather football clubs don’t end up in this sort of trouble.
Many will point out quite correctly that football clubs have gone bust for years, going to back the 60’s and 70’s. That’s the only point you can make as a similarity, nowadays there should be more robust measures especially with the game awash with enough money for all to prosper.
I know the cry is for the authorities to show some leadership when these cases happen, the call for more scrutiny for the fit and proper persons test. I’ll take each of those points in turn now and the latter first.
Through other people I hear the test is more rigorous than it was, but is it still leaky rather than watertight? I know proof has to be shown of funds to run a club has to be shown etc, but seemingly most of us would agree it’s all tied to personal business transactions rather than personal money.
When that business encounters problems the football club suffer, I appreciate as well that for years it’s been that way of owners providing cash for their clubs, but how many would be put off if it was a personal guarantee rather than a business transaction involved?
The EFL have been seen to be more heavy handed in recent times, but once outside of that remit, non-league seems to be forgotten at times despite it’s growth and increasing popularity.
I would like there to be a unit created where these owners are almost sidelined and a crack team runs a club until a new buyer is found, with a plan set in place to repay back monies used to keep the club afloat. Can I see it happening? Absolutely not! The game or should I say a few clubs look after themselves and the rest left to fill in gaps.
This is how we get to the situation Morecambe have found themselves in over the past two years. It’s been a bizarre situation compared to Southend, there aren’t many parallels here and as such you have to take each case on its merits.
What I am pleased about is I’m writing about a happy conclusion because during this period like with Southend Utd football comes together and we stick together. I’ve spoken to people across social media I most likely would not have come into contact with otherwise, the common language of football.
Watching fans not allowing one person or two I suppose in this case destroy their football club was beautiful, I would love to have known what that person (no space needed to mention his name, he’s not worthy of that) was actually thinking, that everyone was just going to roll over and tummies be tickled?
Watching Carl produce that kit, having it sat in the warehouse and then seeing it sold in record numbers was a sight, I hope it had the Essex incumbent squirming uncomfortably.
To read the rest, grab yourself the special offer below and find what my thoughts are on that man…
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My own take is his own debt from personal life or work is beyond what Panjab Warriors have paid for the club. He tried to string it out to exert more from them hence the made up buyers and other interested parties.
He was in danger of ending up with nothing if the club was liquidated and when push came to shove he had little choice to accept, despite having hung some good people out to dry without wages.
How he was ever allowed under that test to be in charge of a football club when his director record is clearly insolvent like most companies associated with him and taking one rugby club to the grave is remarkable really. If the alarm bells didn’t ring for the EFL then you have to question who let this one through the net.
I could be miles off there but who knows, the real story is Morecambe FC are alive and kicking, some great people out there highlighted the plight and the delight of a few thousand is priceless.
I remember writing when Southend were saved I don’t want to be sitting here writing about another. This like back then has turned out to be a happy ending, however I get the feeling one day I won’t be writing a great story.
Whatever the result on Saturday afternoon and indeed however the campaign pans out, enjoy the season Shrimps fans, it’s well deserved…….
