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Morecambe surprise fans in announcing the signing of 15 new players all in one go

Morecambe surprise fans in announcing the signing of 15 new players all in one go, something that’s surely never happened before.

The signings include a mix of new players and three returnees, with notable mentions including George Ray, Adam Lewis, and Jordan Slew.

This significant news comes after the League Two club’s transfer embargo was lifted on Thursday (12th July), and it is seen as a bold move by manager Derek Adams to shape the squad for the upcoming 2024/25 campaign with pre-season getting underway soon.

 

CLUB STATEMENT:

Morecambe FC is delighted to confirm the arrival of 15 players as Derek Adams looks to shape his squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Following the removal of the embargo by the EFL, we have now been able to sign the below players subject to EFL approval.

Jordan Slew and Yann Songo’o return to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium for the third time, with David Tutonda signing on the dotted line for his second spell.

Another familiar face to Morecambe fans is Callum Jones who joins on a season-long loan from Hull City. The 23-year-old spent the first half of 2021/22 at the Club and made 18 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice.

Defender Luke Hendrie is another player to link up with Adams for the second time in his career after the Gaffer made him a Deadline Day signing at Bradford City back in 2022.

Also bolstering the back line is former Raith Rovers man Ross Millen, Max Taylor, formally of Manchester United and Rochdale as well as Jamie Stott, who won the FA Trophy with Halifax Town back in 2023 and Adam Lewis who left Liverpool in the summer after joining at U6 level. George Ray also joins the Mazuma Mobile Stadium ranks after spending the previous two seasons with Barrow AFC.

The arrival of former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Shrewsbury Town shot stopper Harry Burgoyne has strengthened the goalkeeping department, whereas Tom White and Paul Lewis add competition in the midfield places.

Experienced Barbados international Hallam Hope joins former Portsmouth man Ben Tollitt in adding strength in depth in the final third.

Full details for our signings are as follows:

Harry Burgoyne (Goalkeeper) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Luke Hendrie (Defender) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Ross Millen (Defender) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Max Taylor (Defender) – 1 year contract
Jamie Stott (Defender) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
David Tutonda (Defender) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Adam Lewis (Defender) – 1 year contract
George Ray (Defender) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Tom White (Midfielder) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Paul Lewis (Midfielder) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Yann Songo’o (Midfielder) – 1 year contract
Callum Jones (Midfielder) – Season-long loan from Hull City
Jordan Slew (Forward) – 1 year contract
Hallam Hope (Forward) – 1 year contract with option of extra year
Ben Tollitt (Forward) – 1 year contract with option of extra year

We’d like to welcome all our new arrivals who join Stuart Moore, Kayden Harrack, Gwion Edwards, Charlie Brown and Saul Fox-Akande ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

We’ll be sitting down and getting to know each of our new signings in the coming weeks – stay tuned!

It comes 24 hours after the following statements were issued.

EFL STATEMENT:

Morecambe FC has been issued with a financial penalty of £5,131.82 alongside a one-transfer window fee restriction, suspended for two years, as a result of the Club failing to meet its payment obligations in accordance with EFL Regulations.

The Club defaulted in relation to the amount owed to HMRC earlier this year and in March 2024 was placed under a registration embargo.

In June 2024, after accumulating over 30 days of late payments within a 12-month period, the EFL issued the Club with a financial penalty relevant to the breach, alongside imposing the automatic three-transferwindow fee restriction as set out in the Regulations.

In such circumstances the Club can appeal the sanction and ask an independent Disciplinary Commission to consider the specific circumstances. Morecambe FC exercised this right.

On full review of the relevant factors leading to the breach, the Commission upheld the issuing of the financial penalty but felt that, given the additional mitigations put forward, it was appropriate to reduce the fee restriction to one transfer window, suspended for two years.

The restriction will be triggered should there be a further breach of the current time-to-pay agreement between the Club and HMRC.

The EFL accepted the explanation for the late payment provided by the Club during the hearing and given the unique circumstances of this case is satisfied with the Commission’s findings.

The registration embargo placed on the Club in March 2024 following the initial breach has now been lifted.

The Commission’s decision can be viewed here.

MORECAMBE STATEMENT:

In response to this afternoon’s statement from the EFL, Morecambe Football Club wishes to make the following statement.

We appreciate the approach taken by the EFL following the Club’s appeal to resolve what is a highly unusual situation.

We also appreciate the due consideration of the Independent Disciplinary Commission.

All parties were seeking a speedy resolution within the EFL’s protocols and rules.

Co-Chairman Graham Howse attended the hearings on behalf of Morecambe FC and put forward evidence and explanations, which had already been provided to the EFL and to the Independent Disciplinary Commission.

All parties recognised the exceptional circumstances, and evidence provided by HMRC confirmed that Morecambe Football Club had done nothing wrong under HMRC guidelines. HMRC raised an assessment against the club regarding a change in treatment by them of a supplier’s invoices, raised and paid in good faith.

This change came months after the submission of the normal VAT return, and due to the size of the sum and its impact on cashflow, a ‘time-to-pay’ agreement was reached between the Club and HMRC. EFL rules are clear on the treatment of time-to-pay agreements, but due consideration was given by all, resulting in a reduction in the original sanction.

Morecambe Football Club has this week, in accordance with the time-to-pay agreement with HMRC, fully settled its liabilities.

We especially appreciate the news that the registration embargo placed on the Club in March 2024 has now been lifted. This means the Club can now register players ahead of the upcoming season, and a number of registrations have now been submitted to the EFL for approval.

This is how fans reacted as Morecambe surprise fans in announcing the signing of 15 new players all in one go…

@RobSmith1992: ❤️🦐 That’s my boys! UTFS

@PaulBra03475324: Lewis god help you 😂

@robmclovintyler: I see you have signed 15 rejects no other club wanted 😂😂

@Aryan9725: Ross Millen 😭😭😭😭😭😭 his agent needs a raise big time

@murphystanacc: Jesus Christ

@ShaymenHXFC: Got yourselves a real solid defender in Jamie Stott. Treat him well for us and good luck in the league next year

@bendrfcsmith97: George Ray is some signing by Morecambe btw

@kiddyguest: Blimey, I don’t think that team would win the National North. Could be a long season for Morecambe fans….

@Joshua__1872: Morecambe over here playing football manager

@ARLukomski: Morecambe doing the FM thing of taking everyone on trial and then offering them contracts

@footyfragmento: Morecambe have just signed 15 players in one go. Never seen a club do it that way before!

@JJLozzer: Morecambe siging more players on one day than most clubs will in the whole window 😂😂

@sixpointertom: This is madness! However based on their predicament I’m really pleased that Morecambe are able to put a squad together. I’ll admit, I had them provisionally down as possible relegation candidates this season. Be interesting to see if/how these new players gel.

@ChrisBaker67: Biggest transfer announcement i think ive ever seen. 15 signings announced all at once!

@L_wattz: now that they can field a team, im sure everyone’s morecambe predictions have changed

@MattFentonImps: 15 signings at once!!🤯

@loud_MM91: Don’t think I’ve ever seen a club announce 15 new signings at once that’s mad 😂

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