Shrimps Trust chair reacts to Morecambe receiving clearance from the EFL for their takeover

Shrimps Trust chair Tarnia Elsworth reacts to Morecambe receiving clearance from the EFL for their much needed takeover.

Morecambe, who were relegated out of the English Football League last season, have said a takeover by Panjab Warriors has been given clearance to continue by the EFL.

The EFL has officially approved the takeover of Morecambe FC by the Punjab Warriors, led by businessman and philanthropist Kuljeet Singh Momi.

It follows a previously failed bid by Sarb Johal of Sarb Capital, which was halted during the approval process. Momi’s consortium passed all regulatory checks and now ushers in a new era for a club who now prepares for life in the National League.

Momi has pledged to invest in the club’s future – from youth development to infrastructure and fan engagement. His goal is to build long-term success while staying true to Morecambe’s roots.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗯 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀.@Panjabwarriors is delighted to announce that it has received clearance from the English Football League (EFL) to proceed with the acquisition of… pic.twitter.com/wFJqs4OaWt

— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) June 6, 2025

STATEMENT:

Panjab Warriors is delighted to announce that it has received clearance from the English Football League (EFL) to proceed with the acquisition of Morecambe Football Club — marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the club’s proud history. Kuljeet Singh Momi and his Panjab Warriors team will now finalise the deal in the coming days.

Since mid-2024, Panjab Warriors have been providing financial support and outlining a vision built on sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term success.

“This is more than a business venture; it’s a commitment to the fans, the town, and the future of Morecambe FC,” said Gurpreet Singh, Head of Communications for Panjab Warriors. “Our aim is to build upon the club’s rich heritage, ensuring stability and fostering unity across all parts of the community. Panjab Warriors would like to extend their thanks to the club and its Board of Directors for their co-operation in obtaining EFL approval, and also to the EFL for their patience and support in getting to this stage”.

The new ownership group has pledged to strengthen relationships with local organisations, supporters’ groups, and community leaders. It also intends to explore partnerships with sustainability-focused initiatives — including local environmental projects — as part of a wider commitment to responsible club operations.

Financial discipline and fan-first decision-making will be at the heart of the club’s approach, as Panjab Warriors looks to build something lasting and meaningful — on and off the pitch.

Gurpreet added: “We believe Morecambe FC’s best days lie ahead. But actions speak louder than words – by working together with the Board, the Shrimps Trust and the wider fanbase, we will look to deliver consistently, listen deeply, and put supporters at the heart of everything we do. This is a long-term commitment, rooted in respect, responsibility, and a genuine love for the game. In the interests of transparency and until final due diligence and contracts are finalised, we are not in a position to say anything further at this stage. However, once we are in this position we are looking forward to meeting with supporters and media to update via the appropriate channels.”

Gurpreet Singh,
Panjab Warriors
Head of Communications

Tarnia of the Shrimps Trust, said: The trust had been looped in with the conversations over the last few days, so we were expecting it. And we’ve we’ve spoken to the EFL. We’ve spoken to the current owner, the board, and the the new owners, and, you know, we were there with them today talking about this statement.

“And, actually, it just seems like a normal, course of events that has to happen. You know, the EFL have to give that clearance before a transaction can happen.

“Obviously, the clearance has come late in the week, so that means, you know, there’s payments to be made, solicitors details to swap. And and as we understand it, that’s all lined up and gonna take place next week. It was just one thing that had to happen before the other could happen.

“So not a concern for us. In fact, good news that we’ve got that EFL clearance in the in the deadline.

Interviewer: “Having been party to those conversations, you you’ve obviously got information that other people perhaps don’t have. Can you understand why your fellow Morecambe fans might still be cautious, maybe even not optimistic about all the sort of previous things that have happened in this? Or for you, is this a real milestone now?”

Tarnia: “Yeah. Actually, I think I’ve looked I’ve looked at the the reaction. What are we now? Quarter to five. The statement went out at four, and the majority of the reaction I’ve seen has been positive, which is good.

“For those that are still cautious, of course, I completely understand that, you know, we’re involved in these conversations and we’re still nervous until actually the news breaks because we’re not in the inner circle.

“And I think it’ll be the same next week, you know, until it is actually announced right there, the new owners, they’re in charge, They’re pulling the strings. There’s always gonna be some trepidation.

“But after such a long time for the EFL to clear our group to be able to buy the club, That’s a huge, you know, it’s cause for celebration, and it’s a huge milestone that we need it to hear.”

Interviewer: “Have there been times, and it’s been a long time, hasn’t it, have there been times where you thought that progress of this nature might not come?”

Tarnia: “That’s a that’s a really good question. I think it it’s been a long process, and there’s a lot of things that have needed to happen.

“And I think it’s more frustrating and more you start getting nervous when more clubs sell more quickly.

“So, yeah, I think there’s definitely been times where you think, do you know what? This is Groundhog Day.

“We keep hearing the same thing over and over again. It’s never it’s never gonna happen.

“But I would say within the last month, all the murmurings have been positive, and have been proven to be correct, which is shown in the statement at 4pm this afternoon.

“So it’s a relief, you know, and I think it’s a relief for all involved, but the relief will be next week completely. But then then also a bit of trepidation as to, well, what does this look like?

“You know, there’s there’s a huge range of emotions with these things.”

Interviewer: “There are quotes from the head of communications for the Punjab Warriors Group in the statement.

“What kind of an impression have they made on you? I don’t know how much first hand exposure you’ve had to these people, but you’ve been part of the process.

“What what what’s your sort of gut feeling about what you’ve read and seen?”

Tarnia: “They they’ve always been very open. They’ve always been very excited in the plans. They’ve always talked about thinking big wanting to include the community, wanting to include the fan base.

“So it’s always been a case of they’ve said the right things.

“I think the difficulty is with football ownership. The difficulty is with people that you don’t know.

“We’ve not been privy to the paperwork that the EFL have seen, and and rightly so.

“But, you know, apart from having an impression of somebody when you meet them, we’ve got nothing in black and white to say, do you know what? These are gonna transform the club.

“But, the meetings we’ve had, and it’s been a few now, they seem genuine. They seem keen, and and they seem to want to ingratiate themselves into Morecambe, which is fantastic.

Interviewer: “Just how important is it finally, Tanya, that this gets over the line and gets finished and gets rubber stamped quickly because there’s a football season to prepare for. And I imagine there are all manner of things that need to be in place and sorted before pre season games and then before the first campaign in the National League.”

Tarnia: “Yeah. As I understand it, those preparations have been underway anyway, and the current owner and the prospective owners have both been working on that.

“But it’s imperative that it happens quickly next week so that, you know, the current manager knows who is who his boss is. We know who budgets are.

“The players know what they’re coming into. And and mainly, the fans can get excited. You know, we’ve had so many pre seasons where we’re just going, are we gonna have any players? Never mind. We’re looking forward to to the the football itself.

“So let’s get it done as quickly as possible. Hopefully, we can have an exciting pre season, and go and compete in the National League.”