Morecambe

[DearneValleyRover]

https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2025/january/23/club-statement/

Not looking good for them

[Chris Black come back]

This sounds worse than it is meant, but is it that hard to run a football club sustainably? The vast majority of your revenue is known at the start of the season with the TV deal, solidarity money and season tickets all locked down. There is a small part that is volatile around walk ups but that's a small proportion. Likewise your costs are largely fixed in that the wage bill will be overwhelmingly the main cost. Clubs get into financial difficulty when they gamble on increasing costs beyond revenue in the short term in order to try and gain promotion. It is the expectation in football that kills clubs and the unwillingness to accept relegation or lack of promotion, rather than any volatility in the financial model.

[turnbull for england]

This sounds worse than it is meant, but is it that hard to run a football club sustainably? The vast majority of your revenue is known at the start of the season with the TV deal, solidarity money and season tickets all locked down. There is a small part that is volatile around walk ups but that's a small proportion. Likewise your costs are largely fixed in that the wage bill will be overwhelmingly the main cost. Clubs get into financial difficulty when they gamble on increasing costs beyond revenue in the short term in order to try and gain promotion. It is the expectation in football that kills clubs and the unwillingness to accept relegation or lack of promotion, rather than any volatility in the financial model.

That makes perfect sense, and it's a fine line, but bet David Blunt said we were sustainable, and look where that was taking us.  We are obviously lucky to have Terry who aims to provide both, investment and sustainability. Not everyone is so fortunate

[GazLaz]

This sounds worse than it is meant, but is it that hard to run a football club sustainably? The vast majority of your revenue is known at the start of the season with the TV deal, solidarity money and season tickets all locked down. There is a small part that is volatile around walk ups but that's a small proportion. Likewise your costs are largely fixed in that the wage bill will be overwhelmingly the main cost. Clubs get into financial difficulty when they gamble on increasing costs beyond revenue in the short term in order to try and gain promotion. It is the expectation in football that kills clubs and the unwillingness to accept relegation or lack of promotion, rather than any volatility in the financial model.

It isn’t but it puts you at a sporting disadvantage doesn’t it. You generally end up going backwards in terms of performance.

[POD]

Clubs often strive to play at a level beyond their means, particularly if that means the difference between league and non-league status.   

Morecambe are a good example of this along with other clubs in our
League such as Accrington, Barrow, Salford etc as well as tomorrow’s opponents Harrogate Town.

These are often well run clubs but are over reliant on owners funds rather than the sustainability of regular match day income.  It would be better in my opinion to reclassify the National League as League Three and give clubs in that league EFL status to reflect the changing times and not make it such a big issue when relegation looms as in Morecambe’s case.

[NickDRFC]

Clubs often strive to play at a level beyond their means, particularly if that means the difference between league and non-league status.   

Morecambe are a good example of this along with other clubs in our
League such as Accrington, Barrow, Salford etc as well as tomorrow’s opponents Harrogate Town.

These are often well run clubs but are over reliant on owners funds rather than the sustainability of regular match day income.  It would be better in my opinion to reclassify the National League as League Three and give clubs in that league EFL status to reflect the changing times and not make it such a big issue when relegation looms as in Morecambe’s case.

Are they any more reliant on their owners’ funds than we are?

[les@donr]

Clubs often strive to play at a level beyond their means, particularly if that means the difference between league and non-league status.   

Morecambe are a good example of this along with other clubs in our
League such as Accrington, Barrow, Salford etc as well as tomorrow’s opponents Harrogate Town.

These are often well run clubs but are over reliant on owners funds rather than the sustainability of regular match day income.  It would be better in my opinion to reclassify the National League as League Three and give clubs in that league EFL status to reflect the changing times and not make it such a big issue when relegation looms as in Morecambe’s case.

Agree with a Lg3, but what would happen to National N & S?

[drfchound]

Clubs often strive to play at a level beyond their means, particularly if that means the difference between league and non-league status.   

Morecambe are a good example of this along with other clubs in our
League such as Accrington, Barrow, Salford etc as well as tomorrow’s opponents Harrogate Town.

These are often well run clubs but are over reliant on owners funds rather than the sustainability of regular match day income.  It would be better in my opinion to reclassify the National League as League Three and give clubs in that league EFL status to reflect the changing times and not make it such a big issue when relegation looms as in Morecambe’s case.

Agree with a Lg3, but what would happen to National N & S?

Lg 3 North and South, a bit like in the old days Les.

[Janso]

Clubs often strive to play at a level beyond their means, particularly if that means the difference between league and non-league status.   

Morecambe are a good example of this along with other clubs in our
League such as Accrington, Barrow, Salford etc as well as tomorrow’s opponents Harrogate Town.

These are often well run clubs but are over reliant on owners funds rather than the sustainability of regular match day income.  It would be better in my opinion to reclassify the National League as League Three and give clubs in that league EFL status to reflect the changing times and not make it such a big issue when relegation looms as in Morecambe’s case.

The National League might take issue with just having a third of their competition taken off them like.

[les@donr]

Clubs often strive to play at a level beyond their means, particularly if that means the difference between league and non-league status.   

Morecambe are a good example of this along with other clubs in our
League such as Accrington, Barrow, Salford etc as well as tomorrow’s opponents Harrogate Town.

These are often well run clubs but are over reliant on owners funds rather than the sustainability of regular match day income.  It would be better in my opinion to reclassify the National League as League Three and give clubs in that league EFL status to reflect the changing times and not make it such a big issue when relegation looms as in Morecambe’s case.

Agree with a Lg3, but what would happen to National N & S?

Lg 3 North and South, a bit like in the old days Les.

Wouldn’t it be Lg 4 N & S?

[BobG]

Ouch!

The relationship between the owner and the Board must be spectacular....

BobG

[Pancho Regan]

A word of sympathy for Morecambe, and especially their fans, after their relegation last weekend.

It's been a slow and almost inevitable death for them this season but it's a shame to see them return to non-League after an amazing 18 years in the EFL.
They've punched above their weight for a long time, including a brief flirtation with League One which was a hell of an achievement.
And who can forget (although I've tried!) their 5-0 thrashing of the Rovers at the Eco-Power last season?! The only time in my life I've left a Rovers match before the final whistle.

At least I got to see us take revenge at their place during our incredible winning streak at the end of the season.

As outlined above, Morecambe have big problems off the pitch so it will take a big turn-around to see them win back their league status any time soon.

[Reg of the Rovers]

More unpleasant still the 4-3 away loss, after being 0-3 up at half time under McSheffrey. A fable of the dangers of false hope and the Rovers if ever there was one!

Shame to see them go, might be a long road back, nice Northern town up there, always liked an away day there. All the best to club and fans.

[TonySoprano]

Good club, they finished 2nd in 2002/03  above us, and lost against Dagenham in the play offs.

Thanks for rigoglioso, but we really should have let you keep him.

[danumdon]

I do believe Tyson Fury's at a bit of a loose end, wonder if he could help?

[RoversInSpain]

A word of sympathy for Morecambe, and especially their fans, after their relegation last weekend.

It's been a slow and almost inevitable death for them this season but it's a shame to see them return to non-League after an amazing 18 years in the EFL.
They've punched above their weight for a long time, including a brief flirtation with League One which was a hell of an achievement.
And who can forget (although I've tried!) their 5-0 thrashing of the Rovers at the Eco-Power last season?! The only time in my life I've left a Rovers match before the final whistle.

At least I got to see us take revenge at their place during our incredible winning streak at the end of the season.

As outlined above, Morecambe have big problems off the pitch so it will take a big turn-around to see them win back their league status any time soon.

Shows what a turnaround we’ve seen at Rovers, that 0-5 was terrible.
And now…. we may be as far apart as it could possibly get in Lg2.

[idler]

Good club, they finished 2nd in 2002/03  above us, and lost against Dagenham in the play offs.

Thanks for rigoglioso, but we really should have let you keep him.

I think that they were happy to play Dagenham as they said they fancied beating us over one game rather than two games. Funny how things turn out.

[Herman Hessian]

Good club, they finished 2nd in 2002/03  above us, and lost against Dagenham in the play offs.

Thanks for rigoglioso, but we really should have let you keep him.

I think that they were happy to play Dagenham as they said they fancied beating us over one game rather than two games. Funny how things turn out.

never really forgiven them for the late postponement of a midweek game (torrential rain) having driven up from Sussex; turned up just in time to see the floodlights turned off; had a piss in the car park, bought a bag of chips and went home...

[RobTheRover]

Looks like deadline day is Monday for them.

National League Statement: Morecambe FC - The Enterprise National League https://share.google/nNAosbSnEwv2epRQv

[vaya]

https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/1949824447382278171?s=48&t=vDrGtrtylpYhaH5LDEU3eg

Suspended from the NL until mid-August. All players sent home until further notice.

[MachoMadness]

Not seeing any way out for them from here. Fingers crossed someone pulls them out of the fire at the last minute but it's not looking likely. Really sad to see.

[drfchound]

https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/1949824447382278171?s=48&t=vDrGtrtylpYhaH5LDEU3eg

Suspended from the NL until mid-August. All players sent home until further notice.

Really bad news when this happens to a football club.
Will the players be free to find themselves a new club.

[Avsuptem]

Yes, extremely sad and an all too familiar tale. As usual it's the fans that suffer.

[donnybez]

Sky News' Sanny Rudravajhala reporting on X that "Morecambe FC to shut down and cease all football ops at all levels by end of week".

Apparently Panjab Warriors have been reaching out daily to seal an agreement and have heard radio silence.

[Chris Black come back]

The bid to acquire the club looks, well, a bit Anton Johnson, doesn’t it.

[turnbull for england]

The current owner must have  an interesting view on life, aside from alienating the whole of Morecambe I'm not sure if fancy  taking money off a group called panjab warriors and not being honest about it.

[Filo]

You would think Tyson Fury would step in

[GazLaz]

You would think Tyson Fury would step in

Why would an active sportsman want the aggravation of owning a football club?

[NickDRFC]

You would think Tyson Fury would step in

He’s a Man Utd fan isn’t he?

[albie]

Decent article in the Times on the Morecambe dilemma;
https://www.thetimes.com/article/0e8231d2-4d26-410d-b780-2594420a5765?shareToken=6be49d297ced18007766235862f1e4eb

The owner Jason Whittingham has form, having bankrupted rugby side Worcester Warriors before.
Morecambe have until close of play today to sort out the sale, or the shutters go up.