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Ged Brannan explains reasons for leaving Morecambe as players express deep concerns

Ged Brannan explains his reasons for leaving Morecambe and players express deep concerns in off-field issues at the League Two club.

The 52 year old links up with Accrington Stanley as assistant manager, having previously been with them as part of the coaching staff before moving to the Shrimps in September 2023.

But now he has rejoined on a three-year deal after the clubs agreed compensation.

Brannan took over at Morecambe initially as caretaker manager after Derek Adams left for Ross County in November before signing an 18-month deal.

He was previously on the coaching staff at Accringotn before moving to the Morecambe in September 2023 and has rejoined on a three-year deal after the clubs agreed compensation.

His playing career ended with the Shrimps in 2007 after helping them win promotion to League Two, but his departure as manager comes following a turbulent spell at the club, having seen them placed in a transfer embargo in March, was deducted three points at the start of April by the EFL for failing to adhere to an agreed decision imposed in August 2023, and then players and staff received their April wages late.

Brannan led them to a 15th place finish in League Two this season, and he has since said he did not “see a way in which I could continue given the current situation”. Here’s more of what he said on his decision to depart…

MORECAMBE STATEMENT (26th April):

A club statement from the Board of Directors.

The Club was expecting to pay its players and staff today, Friday 26th April 2024, ahead of the normal due date of the 28th of the month. We appreciate that, despite pay not yet being contractually due, there was an expectation that wages would be paid today ahead of the weekend. We also completely understand how frustrating, unsettling and demotivating that this issue is to our people, who work so hard every day.

Throughout April and this week, the Owner has repeatedly assured the Club that funding would be provided to cover wages. Unfortunately, we have not yet received this funding, making it impossible to pay salaries at this time. Nevertheless, we will continue to do all that we can to rectify this before the 28th.

Due to the uncertainty, a number of first team players have expressed concerns about playing tomorrow without having received their pay today, and we acknowledge their feelings. Regardless, we will ensure that a team takes to the field at Swindon Town for the Club’s final game of the season.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, players and supporters who continue to fight every day. The Board of Directors fully understands and shares the frustrations being reasonably expressed by people who love the Club as we do.

MORECAMBE STATEMENT (29th April):

Following receipt of funds from Bond Group, the Club can confirm that all wages have been paid in full for the month of April.

We thank our staff, players, supporters and the wider community for their support and patience at this time.

MORECAMBE STATEMENT (30th April):

Manager Ged Brannan has left the Mazuma Mobile Stadium to rejoin Accrington Stanley as Assistant Manager, after the compensation release clause in his contract was met.

Having previously represented the Shrimps as a player between 2005 and 2007, Brannan arrived for a second spell at the Club in September 2023 as First Team Coach and Senior Professional Development Coach under former manager Derek Adams.

Just over two months later, Adams departed for pastures new, making way for Brannan to step up into the hot seat.

In his first month in charge, he guided the Shrimps to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round following an impressive away win at League One side Wycombe Wanderers, which was then followed up by a 5-0 away win against Doncaster Rovers.

Despite losing all five loanees in the January window, our hot streak continued as we battled in and around the play offs until the final few games of the season. A memorable Easter weekend followed with two derby day wins over Stanley and Barrow AFC respectively as Brannan came within touching distance of achieving one of our highest League Two points totals.

CEO Ben Sadler was keen to highlight his admiration for the job that Ged has done, saying: “I am bitterly disappointed that we find ourselves in a position where we are losing our second manager this season due to circumstances beyond our control.

“Ged is a good man, a top manager and will no doubt go on to do great things in his career. It has been a joy working with him this season and he has made so many positive contributions, Club wide, during his spell here.

“It is devastating to see what is happening at the moment, we continue to do our best to steer the ship through these choppy waters and to a better place, although it is becoming ever more difficult.

“I would like to take the opportunity once again to thank all of our staff, supporters, sponsors, the wider community and of course the Board of Directors for their ongoing hard work, commitment, passion and fight for the Club.”

GED BRANNAN SAID (30th April):

Speaking on his departure, Brannan penned the following message in Morecambe’s statement:

“Firstly, I’d like to thank all involved with Morecambe Football Club, from the board to the players, the backroom staff, those working behind the scenes and the fans, for their support during my time at the Club.

“It was always a goal of mine to become a first team manager, so to be able to do that at a Club which I hold so close to my heart has been a dream come true.

“Leaving Morecambe has undoubtedly been the hardest decision of my life and one which wasn’t taken lightly, though I feel it is the right time for me and my family to step away.

“I mean every word when I say it truly saddens me to leave, though I don’t see a way in which I could continue given the current situation.

“To be up against what we have been with staffing issues, ownership challenges, the embargo, points deduction and late wages, I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved this season.

“In light of these challenges, what has become even more apparent to me over the past seven months is just how special this club is, with excellent support inside and out. The fans must stick together more than ever to keep pushing forward.

“I wish everyone involved with Morecambe all the very best moving forward, and I thank you once more for allowing me to manage this great football club.”

Brannan said in Accrington’s statement: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back working with John, he’s a fantastic manager, and he’s a great friend of mine as well.

“We’ve always wanted to work together and we’ve got an opportunity now to push on, with great support from Andy Holt and David Burgess.

“I’ll always have a place in my heart for Morecambe and there’s a lot of lovely people over there.

“It gives us the chance to work together and look at players, bring players in, and I can’t wait to get started now.”

ACCRINGTON STATEMENT (30th April):

Accrington Stanley FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Ged Brannan as the club’s First Team Assistant Manager, with Ged today signing a three-year contract at the Wham Stadium.

Brannan, who leaves his role as Morecambe manager, previously played and worked for the Reds, and was instrumental in the development of current players – Liam Coyle, Jack Nolan, Tommy Leigh, and Dan Martin.

Having taken permanent charge at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in November, the 52-year-old then led The Shrimps to a 15th-place Sky Bet League Two finish, with his side accumulating 34 points from a possible 87.

Manager, John Doolan, added: “I’m so happy. First and foremost, Ged is a top man, but he’s a top coach as well, and he’s proved that when he was here with the Under-23s.

“He’s gone to Morecambe and then stepped up into the manager’s role, and excelled there as well.

“Ged knows everything about the club, he knows how I work, I know how he works, I know we can work together, and that’s why I’ve asked him to come back here.

“I just want to thank the Board for helping me to get Ged back here, it’s a weight off my mind, and he’s now going to be part of the player recruitment, so he’ll have a massive say on the players that come in.”

Brannan, who began his playing career with Tranmere Rovers, played 238 times and helped the club defeat Bolton Wanderers in the 1991 Play-Off final to achieve promotion from the Football League Third Division.

In March 1997, Manchester City paid a £750,000 transfer fee for the Liverpudlian and he then spent one full season at Maine Road, before a loan move to Norwich City.

However, a £375,000 switch to Motherwell was agreed and his temporary stint in Norfolk was terminated after just two months, with Brannan remaining in North Lanarkshire for the next two-and-a-half-years.

Following permanent spells at Wigan Athletic, Dunfermline, and Rochdale, the midfielder signed for Stanley in the Nationwide Conference and made a total of 65 appearances for the club between 2003 and 2005.

After a short period playing for Radcliffe Borough, he then joined The Shrimps and achieved promotion to the Football League in 2007, making Brannan the first player to do so at both the old and new Wembley.

This is how fans reacted as Ged Brannan explains his reasons for leaving Morecambe while players also express deep concerns…

@AccyForza: You not think NOW is the time to protest shrimps fans?

@athole52: He’s jumped from the sinking ship, probably seen the future of more points deducted and next seasons budget! 😈

@dgreenwood1977: Can’t blame him for bettering himself 👍🏻

@jamesdickson906: For me Bens comment is the most worrying out of that statement I think we’re doomed, Coley might take the pay cut and come but can’t see it knowing what’s going on, he’s very close to people around the club so will know the full ins & outs of it all no doubt

@joelshooter47: Yet another sign of rot at the top from the ownership. Two managers, head of recruitment and CEO all gone within around six months.

@OliMGraham: Ultimately, I’ve nothing but the utmost respect for Ged. It’s clear he was dealt a truly atrocious hand with everything was going on at the club both on and off the field but absolutely nobody can question his passion or commitment. His heart was in the right place and when he could’ve been a yes man and kept his dream of first team management going he put the club and its supporters first and recognised what was best for all parties. I wish him the best as he deserves it after the run around we’ve put him through 🚚

@JamesL0996: Good luck Ged 👍🏻

@_Owxn_h8: Top man, can’t blame him at all

@jswindle29: Didn’t have it easy Ged, fair play. All the best. #jasonOut

@birchy2_jack: Now hit us with the retained list for good measure.

@stormcloud25: Do not blame Ged one iota for leaving given the horrendous circumstances he’s become embroiled in due to one person and one person only. How on earth we now attract someone else to take the reins is utterly beyond me. Wish Ged all the best for the future. #JasonOut #UTS

@kennedy2716: Gutted about this announcement, Ged always had time for a chat & was fantastic with my lad, his highlight, going to watch the players’ training & Ged explaining the drills, analysis, & tactics. All round top bloke. Good luck Ged

@CassBen1: I’m gonna be honest – the circumstances are terrible so I’m not surprised he’s gone and this doesn’t help us at all, but as a manager I’m really not that fussed. 🦐

@sixpointertom: Really got to feel for Morecambe at the moment – Brennan might not have been the long term solution but for him to take up an assistant role at a league rival speaks volumes. Who would realistically take the Morecambe job in their current predicament? 🤷‍♂️

@thescreenster: All the best Ged, thanks for your efforts. Whatever you think of the job he did as a manager, you can’t blame him one bit for deciding to leave. The root of the issue still needs tackling #JasonOut

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