FSA-members the Shrimps Trust are staging a protest ahead of Saturday’s League Two fixture against Port Vale to highlight ongoing ownership problems at their club.

It’s now two years since club owners the Bond Group put Morecambe up for sale while, during that time, supporters have watched their club plummet through the EFL – they currently sit bottom of League Two.

While it’s the nature of a league system that someone must be at the bottom, it’s the manner of the collapse which has caused the most concern for supporters.

The Shrimps Trust point out that the club has gone from making a profit in League One to being relegated back to League Two, while twice failing to pay wages on time, and failing to meet EFL financial deposit obligations, which lead to a points deduction.

The club has lost key staff members including its chief executive, head of recruitment, first team manager and academy manager, and supporters have become increasingly frustrated at Bond Group’s inability to find a suitable custodian for their club.

Such is the mess that in May 2024 club directors even warned that Morecambe faced a “catastrophic outcome” unless Bond Group sold up.

What do Shrimps Trust say?

“We are becoming increasingly worried about the lack of funding from the current owner, the lack of communication, and the lack of progress from the prospective owners. This has led to concerns that we may be moving from one terrible situation to another,” says Shrimps Trust chair Tarnia Elsworth.

“We must keep our story heard and take action so that the owner continues to feel pressure to take meaningful steps for completion of a sale of the club. We campaign tirelessly for the introduction of the new Football Governance Bill, and will continue to do so along with north west MPs Lizzi Collinge and Lisa Nandy. Sadly, that is too long a timescale to help our situation.”

Want to join the protest?

Supporters will meet on Saturday 16th November 2024 (2pm) at the Exchange pub, making their way to the ground for 2.30pm.

Outside the ground, fans will be given black balloons to take in with them, which will be released on kick off. Protest banners will also be distributed outside the ground.

On the 26th minute, supporters will turn their back on the game for two minutes, while some hold up ‘for sale’ signs.

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge, who is also a member of the FSA’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Football Supporters, will also be in attendance to show her support for the Shrimps Trust and Morecambe.

• Join your local supporters’ group! Morecambe supporters can get involved and join the Shrimps Trust here while anyone can join the FSA for free here – we are by fans, for fans.