Morecambe F.C.

Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football club Morecambe Football Club is a professional association football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire, England. The team plays in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.

The club was founded in 1920, and is notable for not experiencing relegation from any league until 2023. For their first 48 years they competed in the Lancashire Combination, winning the league title five times, in 1924–25, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1966–67 and 1967–68. They joined the newly-formed Northern Premier League in 1968, remaining in that league until, under manager Jim Harvey, a second-place finish in 1994–95 saw them promoted into the Conference. Having been beaten in the 2003 and 2006 play-off semi-finals, Sammy McIlroy led the club to promotion into the Football League with victory in the 2007 play-off final. In 14 seasons in League Two they reached the play-offs twice, achieving promotion after winning the 2021 League Two play-off final. Following two seasons in League One they were relegated, and two years later they dropped again to the National League. Both relegations were associated with financial problems and Morecambe were briefly suspended from league football during the summer of 2025, with closure of the club perilously close. However, a change in ownership saw debts cleared and the club survived.

In cups, Morecambe's biggest win was the FA Trophy in 1974. They also won the Northern Premier League President's Cup in 1992, and the Conference League Cup in 1998. They have reached the FA Cup third round on seven occaisions, and the EFL Cup third round twice.

Nicknamed "The Shrimps" due to the coastal town's local speciality food, the club have played home games at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium since moving from their original home at Christie Park in 2010. The club has rivalries with nearby Accrington Stanley, with non-League neighbours Lancaster City of the same council area, and other Lancashire clubs.

History

1920–2007: Non-League

Template:More citations needed Football in the town dates back to the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until 7 May 1920 that Morecambe FC was formed after a meeting at the local West View Hotel. The club then took its place in the Lancashire Combination League for the 1920–21 season.

Sharing grounds with Morecambe Cricket Club at Woodhill Lane during the first season, football proved popular, with crowds in excess of 3,000 for derby fixtures with Lancaster City and Fleetwood Town. Although success on the field was hard to come by, with the club languishing near the bottom of the table, at the end of the first season the club moved grounds to Roseberry Park. A few years later after the purchase of the ground by the then-President, J.B. Christie, the ground's name was changed to Christie Park in his honour. Those early seasons proved difficult, and it was not until 1924–25 that the club began to enjoy some success, claiming the league title for the first time; this was later followed by success in the Lancashire Junior Cup, beating old rivals Chorley after two replays, and in front of over 30,000 spectators.

Christie bequeathed the ground to the club in 1927 and also helped incorporate the club into a Limited Company with a then share capital of £1,000. The rest of the 1920s and the whole of the 1930s saw a constant struggle to keep football alive on the North West coast, with poor results on the field and little or no revenue off the field.

The post-war era saw an upturn in the Shrimps' fortunes with steady progress throughout the late 1940s and nearly all the 1950s, with a visible marked improvement when in 1956 Ken Horton was appointed player-manager. Whilst success was only just around the corner, the foundations for the future were being built. The Auxiliary Supporters club had been formed and with their help many ground improvements were undertaken, so that the on-field success dovetailed neatly with the off-field enterprise. Morecambe enjoyed success during the fourteen years from 1960. This included an FA Cup third round appearance in 1961–62, a 1–0 defeat to Weymouth; a Lancashire Senior Cup final victory in 1968, a 2–1 win over Burnley;<ref name="LC1"> Template:Cite book</ref> and an FA Trophy success at Wembley in 1974, a 2–1 win over Dartford in the final.

The next 12 years were as barren as any previous period in the club's history. Attendances fell from a creditable 2,000 plus to a miserable 200 minus, with a visible decline in the club fortunes during that period. However, in 1985–86, signs of improvement appeared; the club's league position improved, and success in cups came as well over the next few years. It took ten years for the club to reach its ambition of promotion to the Football Conference after many further improvements, not only to the ground but also to the club's structure. Their promotion at the end of the 1994–95 Northern Premier League season came after Marine's ground did not meet Conference requirements, so second-placed Morecambe took their place.

From their first Conference season (1995–96), the Shrimps became one of the leading teams in the league. Only Woking had a longer unbroken membership of the league at this time. The runners-up spot was claimed on one occasion and the play-off positions were narrowly missed twice. Also during this time, the club equalled its best appearance in the FA Cup in both 2000–01 and 2002–03. On both occasions the club faced Ipswich Town, losing 3–0 and 4–0 respectively. Morecambe also defeated a few league clubs in the FA Cup, including Cambridge United in 2000–01 and Chesterfield in 2002–03.

In November 2005, Jim Harvey suffered a heart attack during a league game at Christie Park against Cambridge United. The club quickly declared the appointment of a caretaker manager, Sammy McIlroy, a long-time friend of Harvey. After McIlroy's initial three-month stint as caretaker expired, he was given the job for the remainder of the season with Harvey expected to return on its closure. However, on his first day back as manager of Morecambe, Harvey was sacked by the club and McIlroy was appointed as permanent manager.

In the absence of Harvey, Morecambe reached the Conference play-offs. They lost to Hereford 4–3 on aggregate, but McIlroy was appointed on a permanent basis in May 2006. The following season, Morecambe were promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history after winning the Conference play-off final, beating Exeter City 2–1 at Wembley on 20 May 2007, in front of over 40,000 fans which followed their semi-final victory over York City.<ref name="Exeter 1-2 Morecambe">Template:Cite news</ref>

2007–2022: Football League, including promotion to League One

Chart of yearly table positions of Morecambe since promotion in the Football Conference

On 17 July 2007, Morecambe announced plans to move to a new stadium by the start of the 2009–10 season. However, work did not start on the proposed site until spring 2009, with completion anticipated in summer 2010.<ref name="New Stadium Planned">Template:Cite news</ref>

Morecambe played their first Football League game against Barnet at Christie Park on 11 August 2007, earning a 0–0 draw.<ref name="Morecambe 0-0 Barnet">Template:Cite news</ref> On 14 August 2007, Morecambe played their first League Cup tie, winning 2–1 against near neighbours Preston North End at Deepdale.<ref name="Preston 1-2 Morecambe">Template:Cite news</ref> The Shrimps then beat another Championship side, winning 3–1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 28 August. In the third round, they faced a third consecutive Championship side, Sheffield United, but lost 5–0. They finished their first League Two season in 11th place with 60 points. They also finished 11th in the 2008–09 season, with 63 points.

The 2009–10 season was Morecambe's last at Christie Park, and they finished in fourth place, qualifying for the play-offs, but lost 7–2 on aggregate to Dagenham & Redbridge. On 10 August 2010, Morecambe played their first match at the Globe Arena against Championship side Coventry City in the League Cup. Morecambe won 2–0, with Andy Fleming scoring the first two goals at the stadium.. After the club finished the 2010–11 season in 20th place, Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy left the club by mutual consent on 9 May 2011, after five years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 13 May 2011, Jim Bentley signed a two-year deal as player-manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After a promising start to the 2011–12 season, a poor end to the season led to Morecambe finishing 15th in League Two. In Bentley's second season they finished 16th. Bentley signed a two-year contract extension in October 2013,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and two further extensions in August 2015 and October 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Over this period, Morecambe retained their League status with 18th, 11th, 21st, 18th, 22nd and 18th finishing positions. In May 2018, the club was sold to Bond Group Investments.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Bentley left in October 2019 to become AFC Fylde's manager, having spent 16 months as the then longest serving manager in the top four tiers of English football.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2019, Morecambe appointed Derek Adams as manager.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The remainder of the season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the Shrimps finish 22nd after 37 games played, again avoiding relegation.

In the 2020–21 season, the club faced two Premier League sides in two cup competitions, falling to Newcastle United<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in the third round of the EFL Cup and to Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the latter equalled their furthest run in the FA Cup since the early 2000s. In the league, the club qualified in fourth place for the League Two play-offs with 78 points, missing automatic promotion by one point. Following a 3–2 aggregate win over Tranmere Rovers in the semi-final,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the club reached a first League play-off final. In the 2021 League Two play-off final against Newport County at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021, Morecambe won 1–0, after Carlos Mendes Gomes converted a penalty in the 107th minute. This earned the Shrimps promotion to League One, the third tier of English football, for the first time in their history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Adams resigned three days later<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to become manager of Bradford City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In June 2021, the club announced former Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson as manager for the club's first season in League One.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Their first game was a 2–2 draw at Ipswich Town.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The club again reached the FA Cup third round, playing another London-based Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur. After scoring the first goal, Morecambe were undone by late goals from Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Harry Winks to lose 3–1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After 32 games, Robinson left to take over at Scottish club St Mirren.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Adams returned as manager,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and, despite the club flirting with relegation, led them out of the drop zone to finish 19th and retain League One status for a second season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Financial problems, 2022–2025

Template:Main In October 2022, Adams voiced worries about the future of the club. Its owners, Bond Group Investments, had put the club up for sale in September 2022, with directors Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring stepping down from the Shrimps' board.<ref name="BBC-06Oct2022">Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2023, players' wages were paid late, with funds invested by Sarbjot Johal, who was aiming to take over the club, ultimately bridging the gap.<ref name="BBC-31Mar2023">Template:Cite news</ref> However, uncertainty about the club's ownership continued,<ref name="BBC-06Jun2023">Template:Cite news</ref> ultimately through to August 2025.

In May 2023, Morecambe were relegated to League Two.<ref name="BBC-7May2023">Template:Cite news</ref> Fourteen players left the club after their contracts expired, with no players offered new deals.<ref name="BBC-08May2023">Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2023, Morecambe received a suspended three-point deduction for paying its players late in March.<ref name="BBC-21Aug2023">Template:Cite news</ref> In December 2023, Morecambe and owner Jason Whittingham were charged by the EFL for failures over players' wages,<ref name="BBC-18Dec2023">Template:Cite news</ref> and in April 2024, the three-point deduction was activated and Whittingham was fined £10,000.<ref name="BBC-11Apr2024">Template:Cite news</ref> The club finished the 2023–24 season in 15th place.<ref name="BBC-29Apr2024">Template:Cite news</ref>

On 30 April 2024, after succeeding Derek Adams as manager in November 2023, Ged Brannan left to join League Two rivals Accrington Stanley.<ref name="BBC-30Apr2024">Template:Cite news</ref> Manager-less, with chief executive Ben Sadler joining Walsall, and with only one player under contract for the next season due to an ongoing transfer embargo, the club was described as "a circus" by its chairman Rod Taylor in May 2024.<ref name="BBC-08May2024">Template:Cite news</ref> On 20 May 2024, Morecambe announced the departure of 16 players, leaving the club with a five-strong first-team squad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following day, club directors called on Whittingham to sell the club to avoid a 'catastrophic outcome'.<ref name="BBC-21May2024">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Derek Adams returned for a third spell as manager in early June 2024.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A month later, talks over a possible buyout of the club were reported to be at "an advanced stage",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the transfer embargo was lifted (though Morecambe were fined £5,131.82 for failing to meet payment obligations)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Morecambe signed 15 players.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 19 December 2024, Morecambe received a suspended two-points deduction for five failures to report non-payment of accounts owed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 23 January 2025, the club - 23rd in League Two and five points from safety - insisted it was "not in immediate jeopardy" despite having no proof of funds for the rest of the season and being unable to sign players in the transfer window.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Morecambe later secured funds to sign players.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2025: Return to Non-League, and an ownership crisis

On 21 April 2025, after 18 years in the Football League, Morecambe were relegated to the National League at the end of the 2024–25 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Club directors subsequently reported "positive progress" towards the sale of the club,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and a deal with Panjab Warriors, a sports investment company, was approved by the EFL in early June,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but Whittingham delayed the deal.

When administration loomed in early July after non-payment of staff wages,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Whittingham sacked the club's directors,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> then claimed that a new buyer was set to take over the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This deal was never sealed, and as players and staff again went unpaid, the club was placed under a registration embargo by the National League for breaching financial regulations,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in late July 2025 was then suspended by the League,<ref name="NatLeague">Template:Cite web</ref> with the side's first three League fixtures postponed. The club was given until 20 August to resolve the situation<ref name="NatLeague" /><ref name="BBC28Jul2025">Template:Cite web</ref> but football operations ceased and players left to join other clubs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ownership crisis was raised in Parliament<ref name="Guardian">Template:Cite news</ref> with both the culture secretary Lisa Nandy<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer urging all concerned with the club to ensure its survival.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Six weeks of sometimes acrimonious claims and counter-claims between Panjab Warriors and Whittingham's Bond Group eventually concluded with an agreement announced on 14 August,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> enabling the club to avoid a HMRC winding-up petition, appoint new directors,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> pay staff and players,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and expand the remaining squad of contracted players ahead of the side's first National League fixture.

Panjab Warriors had sacked manager Derek Adams,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> appointing Ashvir Singh Johal as his replacement on 19 August. He took on a side with just five contracted players.<ref name=BBC19Aug2025>Template:Cite news</ref> On 20 August, Morecambe confirmed their opening fixture against Altrincham would go ahead on 23 August, and said the transfer embargo had been lifted, allowing the club to sign players.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Twelve new players were signed ahead of the Altrincham game,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which Morecambe won 2–1,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> though the side then lost its next four games.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Kit and main shirt sponsors

Table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
1920–74
1974–78	Umbro
1978–79	Litesome
1979–80		Holmark
1981–82	Adidas	Mitchells
1983–84	Umbro	John Wilding
1984–85		MG Markets
1985–86		Carlton Caterers
1986–87	Umbro
1987–88
1988–91	Umbro	Cvg
1992–93		Mitchells
1993–94	Asics	Carleton Inn
1994–95		Printing Machinery
1995–96	Pony International	Ais Products
1996–97		Lakesway
1997–98		Oasis
1998–99		Ambulink UK
1999–2000	Umbro	Redman & Jones
2000–02		Business Serve PLC
2002–04		Thurnham Leisure Group
2004–07		Wright & Lord Solicitors
2007–08		Jiang Print
2008–09	Puma SE	Mopay.co.uk
2009–12		Bench.
2012–13	Fila	Carbrini
2013–14		Blacks Leisure Group
2014–15		Carbrini
2015–16	Carbrini	JD Sports
2016–17		Omega Holidays
2017–18	Macron	Purple Property Group
2018–19		Bizloans4u
2019–21		Annapurna Recruitment<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2021–23	Joma<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Mazuma<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2023–24		Omnia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2024–25	The Terrace<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	The Fan Cave Memorabilia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2025–	The Terrace <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	LBD Modular Systems LtdTemplate:End Mascot The Shrimps' mascot is Christie the Cat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The cat was named after Morecambe's old stadium, Christie Park. Rivalries Historically Morecambe's biggest rivalry has been with Lancaster City, however since Morecambe have risen up the leagues there haven't been regular matches between the two clubs since the 1980s. From the early 1990s, Morecambe engaged in a bitter rivalry with Lancashire neighbours Accrington Stanley. The Shrimps failed to beat Accrington in 16 attempts after their 2007 promotion to the Football League before Aaron Wildig's goal gave them a 1–0 win over their rivals in August 2015. Morecambe's other local rivals include Barrow, Fleetwood Town, Kendal Town and Southport. Players Current squad Out on loan Club officials Board Directors: Harjit Singh, Kuljeet Singh Moni, Rod Taylor, Graham Howse<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Coaching staff Manager: Ashvir Singh Johal Assistant Manager: Lee Tomlin Assistant Coach: Neil Wainwright Goalkeeper Coach: Jon Stewart First team analyst: James Peat Head of Recruitment: Patrick Noubissié Head of Scouting: Alex Hughes Head of Physical Performance: Ian Hutton Head Physiotherapist: Paul Winstanley Kit man: Les Dewhirst Managerial history (1947 to present) Date Name Record (P/W/D/L/%) Notes Ref 1947–48 Template:Flagicon Jimmy Milne 1955–56 Template:Flagicon Albert Dainty 1956–61 Template:Flagicon Ken Horton 1961–64 Template:Flagicon Joe Dunn 1964–65 Template:Flagicon Geoff Twentyman 1965–69 Template:Flagicon Ken Waterhouse 1969–70 Template:Flagicon Ronnie Clayton 1970 Gerry Irving & Ronnie Mitchell 1970–72 Template:Flagicon Ken Waterhouse 1972–75 Dave Roberts Player manager. Won FA Trophy at Wembley in 1974 1976–77 Johnny Johnson 1977–78 Tommy Ferber 1978–79 Mick Hogarth 1979–81 Don Cubbage 1981 Template:Flagicon Jim Thomson 1981–84 Les Rigby 1984–85 Sean Gallagher 1985–88 Joe Wojciechowicz 1988–89 Template:Flagicon Billy Wright 1989–93 Template:Flagicon Bryan Griffiths 1994 Template:Flagicon Leighton James 1994–05 Template:Flagicon Jim Harvey Won promotion to the Conference from the Northern Premier League in 1995 2005–11Template:Refn Template:Flagicon Sammy McIlroy Won promotion to the Football League from the Conference in 2007 <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2011–19 Template:Flagicon Jim Bentley <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2019 Template:Flagicon Kevin Ellison & Template:Flagicon Barry Roche Joint caretaker player managers <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2019–21 Template:Flagicon Derek Adams Won promotion to League One from League Two in 2021 <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2021–22 Template:Flagicon Stephen Robinson <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2022 Template:Flagicon Barry Roche Caretaker player manager <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2022–23 Template:Flagicon Derek Adams Relegated from League One to League Two in 2023 <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2023–24 Template:Flagicon Ged Brannan <ref name="Soccerbase">Template:Cite web</ref> 2024–25 Template:Flagicon Derek Adams Relegated from League Two to National League in 2025 <ref name="Soccerbase"/> 2025– Template:Flagicon Ashvir Singh Johal <ref name="Soccerbase"/> Records Performance Best FA Cup performance: Third round, 1961–62, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25<ref name="FCHD"/> Best EFL Cup performance: Third round, 2007–08, 2020–21, 2022–23 Best EFL Trophy performance: Northern area final, 2007–08<ref name="FCHD"/> Best FA Trophy performance: Winners, 1973–74<ref name="FCHD"/> Honours Source:<ref name="FCHD">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Additional citation needed League League Two (level 4) Play-off winners: 2021 Conference National (level 5) Play-off winners: 2007 Northern Premier League (level 6) Runners-up and promoted: 1994–95 Lancashire Combination Champions: 1924–25, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1966–67, 1967–68 Runners-up: 1925–26 Cup FA Trophy Winners: 1973–74 Conference League Cup Winners: 1997–98 Northern Premier League President's Cup Winners: 1991–92 Lancashire Senior Cup Winners: 1967–68 Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy Winners (11): 1925–26, 1926–27, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1968–69, 1985–86, 1986–7, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04 Lancashire Combination Cup Winners: 1926–27, 1945–46, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68 Footnotes References External links Template:Fchd