Morecambe FC bosses and members of the fans’ group have met for talks on a number of issues facing the club as the owners continue to inject $200K a month to keep the Shrimp afloat.
A “constructive and positive” meeting was held between the Shrimps Trust, the official Morecambe fans’ representative body, and Ropinder Singh, the club’s Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer Steve Dewsnip – as they discussed a range of issues on and off the field.
Among the topics was the current financial situation and the difficulties the club finds itself in.
The minutes of the meeting reveal that the group “continues to face serious financial pressures, with insufficient funds and excessive expenses”.
But the cash flow was described as “solid and stable, without problems”.
It has been confirmed that the owners of Panjab Warriors – who took over in August 2025 – have been putting in about $200,000 a month to keep the club going, which is not considered sustainable.
The main areas are driving new revenue streams, reducing costs and capital, and ensuring that the group no longer owes undisclosed debts, after the final appeal against the group from the foundation company regarding the unpaid bill under the previous owners of Bond Group.
This led to the National League placing a transfer ban – the second in as many weeks – on the team.
A statement from the club last month said the bill had been fully resolved, and the National League confirmed the embargo had been lifted.
Other creditors, including Lancaster and Morecambe College, which serves as the club’s training base and where the Academy play their home games, remain unpaid. As a result, the team said they will need to find another place to practice for the time being.
Although the college’s debt is still there, the club said it has been paid for the use of the facility even though the grass fields have been “unusable” for a long time due to the weather.
There was also an admission that, due to circumstances surrounding the sale and acquisition of the club last summer, due diligence was not completed before contracts were exchanged.
Panjab Warriors bought a majority stake in Morecambe Football Club from previous owners Bond Group Investments in August 2025.
The club had been for sale for almost three years, it went on the market in September 2022.
The long-running sales process includes a series of public announcements that are not consistent between the parties involved last summer, and Morecambe FC employees were not paid salaries for June and July 2025, with the balance only settled after the Panjab Warriors took over.
Morecambe FC were also suspended from the National League on 28 July, and are unable to start the season as planned on 9 August, due to concerns about the club’s ability to meet their financial obligations for 2025/26, and finally start the season after the takeover is complete.
The club says it now has full visibility of who is owed money and is in active discussions to resolve issues with creditors, and that the manager and the National League remain close and meet regularly with the club.
It was also revealed at the meeting that staff salaries for March had been delayed “due to difficulties with the banking group and Barclays”. Now they have been paid.
The team is exploring ways to streamline the payment process, and a commitment has been made that workers will continue to be paid on time going forward.
Ben Cassar, vice-chairman of the Shrimps Trust (below), said: ”Monday’s meeting between the Shrimps Trust, Morecambe FC and the Community Foundation was constructive and positive.
”No single meeting will erase the doubts that have plagued fans in recent months, however. However, Monday represented a step forward and an important opportunity for open and honest dialogue.
”Many topics were discussed, including many questions raised with the group by members of the Shrimps Trust. Communications from all parties were clear throughout, and assurances were given on many important issues.
“If those promises are followed through, it will mark the start of the important process of building trust and confidence in Morecambe FC, knowing that this will take hard work and time.
“As always, we will continue to work constructively with the group and its representatives, while continuing to challenge and express our members’ views wherever necessary.”
Other issues discussed at the meeting include:
Appointment of Chief Operating Officer
Steve Dewsnip has been in the post for more than five weeks and describes it as a “baptism of fire”, but one he is enjoying.
He said he is committed to opening open, honest and transparent discussions and is focused on making the team work well and continue financially, believing that this will be a long-term process with challenges ahead.
The door is still open for negotiations and he has already had good discussions with Mr Cassar.
Embargoes & Regulation
Restrictions are placed and removed quickly once issues are clarified.
The National League and the manager continue to monitor the situation closely, and communication takes place every few days.
Kit Provider
Following the club’s decision to part ways with the Terrace’s current supplier, an alternative supplier has been agreed, with the name to be announced shortly. Contracts have been negotiated and signing is imminent.
There is “hope that the club will not have summer equipment”.
Season tickets
The early bird sale is ongoing and will run for one month, and the price is considered to offer strong value regardless of league status.
Mazuma Mobile Stadium
Non-Sports Income
It was accepted that the field is not well used during the week.
A new weekly advertising committee has been formed. There will be an increased focus on events, social interaction and office visibility.
Budgets for next season are being finalized with a strong emphasis on business growth.
Reports
The accounts for 2024/25 are now ready and the audit has been delayed due to the auditor’s presence.
External accounts support the completion of the final audit, and there is confidence that the accounts will be submitted on time. They should be sent to Companies House by 25 May.
Accounts configured for a license application are ready to sign in once testing is complete.
Football news
It was acknowledged that downsizing may affect attendance, but there is hope to find other sources of income.
There is still a commitment to keep the Academy going in some form next season.
Following the departure of Ashvir Singh Johal, 35 CVs have been received for the role of first-team manager, with three to four candidates currently in talks for next season.
The club have also stated their desire for current manager Jim Bentley (below) to remain at the club on a limited basis for the foreseeable future.
Discussion & Sponsors
The club has acknowledged supporters’ concerns after a difficult few years. A commitment to better communication and answering questions where possible was given.
It was said that Kuljeet Singh Momi and Harjit Singh, the current directors of the business, are not comfortable answering all the questions asked due to the understanding of the business and confidentiality, however anything that can be answered can be there.
They added that there was a “clear desire to get the fan back on the front foot and focus on good stories”.
Morecambe are currently second from bottom of the National League, in deep relegation trouble, with five regular season games to play, starting at league leaders Rochdale on Good Friday.
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