Morecambe sponsor pulls out, owner gives takeover update as directors return to their roles

The drama continues at Morecambe after a sponsor pulls out, and the owner gives a takeover update as directors return to their roles.

So far, Morecambe FC looks set to potentially avoid administration as Bond Group Investments, led by Jason Whittingham, has agreed to sell the club to Panjab Warriors Sports, with the sale set to finalise on July 7th, 2025.

The decision follows tensions, including the board’s threat to enter administration after accusing Whittingham of delaying the sale.

The board, previously dismissed, has been reinstated, and Panjab Warriors will work with the National League to ensure the club’s stability. A further update is expected on Monday.

A few days ago, sponsors Bay Camera and Communications wrote via Facebook that they “have been a proud sponsor and supplier of Morecambe FC since we were incorporated in 2009.

“Over the last 16 years we have sponsored the bar behind the home end, board sponsorships, numerous games, ball sponsorship, the giant flag as well as sponsorship money that is held on account, for a small company this has come at a big cost which we have been happy to do so.

“With the current dealings and shenanigans of the ownership, the non payment of our good friends the staff of Morecambe FC, as well as the sacking of the board of directors our managing director Tim Barbary has made the decision to stop all sponsorship and support of Morecambe Football Club with immediate effect.

“We will not be renewing any maintenance contracts or providing any sponsorship until the club is sold. Edit – we will also not sign the ground safety certificate which we have done every year, this means they will not be allowed to have members of the public in the stadium.”

The 1920Union applaud the stance taken by BCC today. We encourage all sponsors to withdraw with immediate effect whilst Jason Whittingham continues to run the club in to the ground. https://t.co/qAtyPfQU2q pic.twitter.com/1HTiUGdK4j

— 1920Union (@The1920Union) July 3, 2025

1920Union wrote: “The 1920Union applaud the stance taken by BCC today. We encourage all sponsors to withdraw with immediate effect whilst Jason Whittingham continues to run the club in to the ground.”

On Friday, 4th July, a statement on Behalf of Jason Whittingham, Bond Group was issued: “Bond Group Investments LTD and Panjab Warriors Sports LTD have today agreed final terms for the transfer of ownership and sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited, subject to contract, and intend to complete the sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited on Monday 7th July 2025.

“Bond Group have invited former Morecambe FC Directors back to the Board of Directors to support the final stages of the sale process. At time of publication, Bond Group is awaiting confirmation of the Directors.

“Panjab Warriors will now engage with the National League to deal with closing steps of the sale process, in particular to convey their plans for the 25/26 season and provide evidence that the club will be in a stable financial position moving forward.

“Final documentation is being prepared for the completion, which will to take place on Monday 7th July 2025.

“A further update from Bond Group will follow on Monday 7th July 2025.

“Thank you.

“Jason Whittingham, On behalf of Bond Group Investments”

A statement from the Board of Directors read: “The Board of Directors have unanimously agreed to rejoin Morecambe FC and facilitate the sale of Bond Group’s shares to Panjab Warriors, which is intended to complete on Monday.

“All we can promise is that we will do everything in our powers to make it happen, get wages paid, and begin at last to look forwards.”

Shrimps Trust said: “In what has been a very interesting day, the Trust wanted to provide the following update to members and fans of MFC alike.

“Again, we thank everyone for their kind words and support.

“Stronger Together.

PW and BG Meeting

“We understand that discussions continued the 3rd of July 2025 and reconvened on the 4th of July at 10.30am.

“We started to hear in the afternoon that a deal had been reached, with the completion to take place on Monday.

“All former directors were reinstated between 4 and 5pm today. This will enable the actual function of the sale to take place when ready.

“We haven’t spoken directly to Jason, but we have to Kuljit Singh Momi, and he is working on the basis that the deal is agreed, pending completion Monday. You have all seen the public statements.

National League/ EFL/ MP meeting

“We met with these parties at 4:30pm today.

“High level bullet points of that are here:

– The NL are keen to have a new slate when PW are in place, and do not foresee any sanctions on them, as long as their takeover is smooth, and outstanding payments are made in a timely manner

– The EFL and NL are aligned that if the deal structure hasn’t changed, it can proceed. – Parachute payments from the EFL are expected 14–15 July, but only if the club is compliant with agreed company behaviours and regulations.

– Wages remain unpaid – identified as a key issue by all parties.

– If the club enters administration, a points deduction and possible fines will follow. – Recovery from administration would require a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), and creditors must be repaid in full (unless waived).

– Administration would affect the club, not directly the owner.

– Lizzi Collinge MP reiterated her support for a weekend resolution.

“The National League and the Shrimps Trust are ready and willing to facilitate the sale over the weekend. The Club’s membership of the EFL was transferred on June 4 but the EFL has and will continue to support the process as appropriate. All external parties reiterated their desire to see the sale completed as soon as possible.

“Whilst we hope a sale will be completed ASAP for the benefit of unpaid staff and suppliers, we continue to proceed on the basis that it may not.

“Here is a general update of other activities that have taken place today.
Insolvency Practitioner

“We have spoken to the insolvency practitioners again today, they are contacting various parties on our behalf, including Charles Street. They will keep us updated. We thank them for undertaking the work so far at no cost to the Trust. It is greatly appreciated.

Creditor contact

“We have only had a couple of relatively small creditors reach out to us. Please, if you know any business that is owed money by MFC and they want to work with us and the insolvency practitioners, please show them this, and get them to email: hello@shrimpstrust.co.uk

DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

“We understand they can trigger the administration process. We are in contact with the DCMS through Lizzi Collinge MP. We will push the DCMS to step in and take the strongest action possible, as and when we have a direct audience with them, and through our MP.

General Notes

“JW being added as a Director on Companies House briefly, then removed, was noted by the Trust, we are investigating what happened and why. Made NL aware too.

“If there are significant updates over the weekend we will update. However, you will understand how much time and effort this has taken this week of all trustees. We may be publicly quieter than we have been over the past couple of days. Thank you again for your continued support.”

Lizzi Collinge MP wrote: “I welcome the statement from Jason Whittingham that a sale of Morecambe FC will be completed by Monday and I am glad to see the reappointment of directors to facilitate this.

“I urge Bond Group to ensure that the sale is completed as soon as possible, with wage payments being prioritised as soon as the sale is completed.

“All of Morecambe, including myself, wants this deal to happen as quickly as possible.

“I have been meeting with the Shrimps Trust and other interested parties who have all been unwavering in their support for Morecambe. The volunteers at the Shrimps Trust really have gone above and beyond.

“I know that all interested parties are ready and willing to work over the weekend to facilitate the sale. I will be keeping a close eye on progress.

“Ministers are aware of developments and I thank the Secretary of State Lisa Nandy MP for her statement in the House of Commons that she wishes to see a sale proceed as quickly as possible.”

Here’s how Twitter users reacted as a Morecambe sponsor pulls out, and the owner gives a takeover update as directors return to their roles…

@NoFoReds: The saga continues into the weekend… Sounds positive though.

@ScottCarter97: @Panjabwarriors Can you confirm this to be the truth? I don’t trust a word Jason says.

@jayspray04: @RequestABet Odds of this falling through before Monday please 👍

@TMcM2306: Cautiously optimistic. Can’t believe a word he says, fingers crossed for the players and staff that are waiting for their paycheques.

@heyit5sam: Good news providing he sticks to his word. Why not can’t be done now idk. Hopefully a turning point at Morecambe and with new owners who can rebuild the club. The pressure paid off in the end

@cylertarter: 100% guarantee we will get to Monday and there will be ‘new issues that have arisen over the weekend’ – which basically means Jason wants another £50k. Not a single mention of the staff that are still owed their wages, fucking RAT

@_Owxn_h8: Believe it when it happens, no doubt they’ll be some sort of “issue” over the weekend

@NealWI1984: Sympathise with you guys, I feel for you all, end of the day we are all fans.. we know all too well what a tyrant owner is like but you seem to have it even worse, fingers crossed for you all

@richiehh: As much as this is positive and wish everyone at Morecambe, the best possible outcome. Whittingham still has 72 hours to backtrack. Get it all signed and get him away from this and any other club in any sport, forever

@ScottCarter97: What excuse are we going with on Monday then? The pen ran out of ink so the contract hasn’t been signed.

@Staners6: Let’s see until it’s complete I don’t trust a word he says 🙏👊❤️🦐⚽️ @MorecambeFC

@GazPar81: The world is suddenly a better place and the right people are back to finally get shut of Whittingham and Goldring.

@Hack73: Makes you wonder if he wanted to agree something bent. Removes the board, does a deal then invites them back. I cannot believe the mainstream media isn’t all over this. Where it the media darlings of Wrexham or Salford it would be a very different story.