Morecambe FC - another club in a shocking situation

[ClaretTony]

Just heartbreaking for so many people when this happens. Looks as though it is going to close. What a sad day it will be.

[Jakubclaret]

Everything will sort itself out.

[beeholeclaret]

As a young kid our village team played Morecambe in the Cheshire league and we travelled to Christie Park many times.They were a well run club back then but clearly things have deteriorated since.How on Earth did they get £4m in debt?

Players not wanting to play for just £10 per week (boot money) for starters. I know its not just Morecambe.

[Foshiznik]

This isn’t just a matter of lower league clubs not being financially sustainable, this case specifically like Bury was is about charlatan conmen owning clubs and passing owners tests. Just look what the bbc wrote:-

“ Whittingham has been a director at 25 companies during his career, according to Companies House. Of those 25 companies, 18 have been either dissolved, voluntarily dissolved, put into administration, put into liquidation, or put into receiver action (the precursor stage to liquidation).
Two of Whittingham's companies had been dissolved by compulsory strike-off prior to his takeover of Morecambe - but he still passed the EFL's owners' and directors' test.
At many of the companies, Whittingham was joint director with business partner Colin Goldring - a legal worker turned entrepreneur - including at Morecambe until Goldring's resignation in August 2022.
Whittingham and Goldring were disqualified as company directors for 12 months following a court hearing in 2022.
Goldring has also been barred by the Solicitors Regulation Authority from working for any law firm without clearance.
The pair also ran Worcester Warriors rugby club, which went into liquidation in 2022.”

[RammyClaret61]

Morecambe may be the first of many

I think they’re a long way from being “the first of many”. Halifax, Hereford United, Bury, Macclesfield & Darlington I think are also on the list.

[Woodleyclaret]

Darlington went down the we need a new ground route and then got sanctioned into oblivion by the football authorities for over spending. Reading were two days away from oblivion till Dai the Death finally bailed out
The fit and proper person test is a complete joke
Anyone with nerve and bluster can convince the regulator that they are trustworthy.

[ClaretTony]

Darlington went down the we need a new ground route and then got sanctioned into oblivion by the football authorities for over spending. Reading were two days away from oblivion till Dai the Death finally bailed out
The fit and proper person test is a complete joke
Anyone with nerve and bluster can convince the regulator that they are trustworthy.

Darlington was George Reynolds.

We will see if and how things change with the regulator in place.

[Milltown1882]

Officially gone bust apparently. Another club left to die by ridiculous owners.

[Aclaret]

.....and Burnley allegedly going to pay around £20 million for a midfielder....not sure if it's Exciting times or worrying times !

[Tricky Trevor]

This isn’t just a matter of lower league clubs not being financially sustainable, this case specifically like Bury was is about charlatan conmen owning clubs and passing owners tests. Just look what the bbc wrote:-

“ Whittingham has been a director at 25 companies during his career, according to Companies House. Of those 25 companies, 18 have been either dissolved, voluntarily dissolved, put into administration, put into liquidation, or put into receiver action (the precursor stage to liquidation).
Two of Whittingham's companies had been dissolved by compulsory strike-off prior to his takeover of Morecambe - but he still passed the EFL's owners' and directors' test.
At many of the companies, Whittingham was joint director with business partner Colin Goldring - a legal worker turned entrepreneur - including at Morecambe until Goldring's resignation in August 2022.
Whittingham and Goldring were disqualified as company directors for 12 months following a court hearing in 2022.
Goldring has also been barred by the Solicitors Regulation Authority from working for any law firm without clearance.
The pair also ran Worcester Warriors rugby club, which went into liquidation in 2022.”

He’s following the Trump route. He could end up as PM. What he deserves is a 3am knock on the door.

[ŽižkovClaret]

They'll be back in some form or another. The stadium being held in trust is a silver lining to a particularly shitty cloud.

You would imagine the fella responsible might be watching his back, if some of their fanbase are anything like some can be

[Claretnick]

This is just disgraceful, feel sorry for the Morecambe fans. Still remember how close we came to the end!

[ClaretAndJew]

Awful news for Morecambe

Kendal Town have offered to support any of the youth players who want to continue their development, which is a great touch from a local-ish club.

[agreenwood]

…

[ecc]

This isn’t just a matter of lower league clubs not being financially sustainable, this case specifically like Bury was is about charlatan conmen owning clubs and passing owners tests. Just look what the bbc wrote:-

“ Whittingham has been a director at 25 companies during his career, according to Companies House. Of those 25 companies, 18 have been either dissolved, voluntarily dissolved, put into administration, put into liquidation, or put into receiver action (the precursor stage to liquidation).
Two of Whittingham's companies had been dissolved by compulsory strike-off prior to his takeover of Morecambe - but he still passed the EFL's owners' and directors' test.
At many of the companies, Whittingham was joint director with business partner Colin Goldring - a legal worker turned entrepreneur - including at Morecambe until Goldring's resignation in August 2022.
Whittingham and Goldring were disqualified as company directors for 12 months following a court hearing in 2022.
Goldring has also been barred by the Solicitors Regulation Authority from working for any law firm without clearance.
The pair also ran Worcester Warriors rugby club, which went into liquidation in 2022.”

Building up that CV took some doing.

[dougcollins]

This isn’t just a matter of lower league clubs not being financially sustainable, this case specifically like Bury was is about charlatan conmen owning clubs and passing owners tests. Just look what the bbc wrote:-

“ Whittingham has been a director at 25 companies during his career, according to Companies House. Of those 25 companies, 18 have been either dissolved, voluntarily dissolved, put into administration, put into liquidation, or put into receiver action (the precursor stage to liquidation).
Two of Whittingham's companies had been dissolved by compulsory strike-off prior to his takeover of Morecambe - but he still passed the EFL's owners' and directors' test.
At many of the companies, Whittingham was joint director with business partner Colin Goldring - a legal worker turned entrepreneur - including at Morecambe until Goldring's resignation in August 2022.
Whittingham and Goldring were disqualified as company directors for 12 months following a court hearing in 2022.
Goldring has also been barred by the Solicitors Regulation Authority from working for any law firm without clearance.
The pair also ran Worcester Warriors rugby club, which went into liquidation in 2022.”

"'Nothing to worry about there. Tick the 'fit and proper' box."

[Tricky Trevor]

Off thread but just watching Hearts with Tony Bloom in the stand. I didn't catch his exact share holding but he is now majorly into BHA, Hearts & Union St Gilloise. This multi- club ownership has to be stopped.

[Woodleyclaret]

Tony Bloom is BHA they were playing on a sports centre using stands borrowed from the Golf open till he turned up.Their fans would do well to remember that when they belittle others

[djt2006]

I believe Bury FC are offering free entry to their game on Saturday for all Morecambe fans as a show of solidarity.

[ClaretTony]

I believe Bury FC are offering free entry to their game on Saturday for all Morecambe fans as a show of solidarity.

They are and the Morecambe staff are working for nothing until either the club is bought or until 20th August when, if there is no solution, the club will be expelled from the league.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Off thread but just watching Hearts with Tony Bloom in the stand. I didn't catch his exact share holding but he is now majorly into BHA, Hearts & Union St Gilloise. This multi- club ownership has to be stopped.

Strange thread to bring up Tony Bloom. He's pretty much a model owner

[Tricky Trevor]

Strange thread to bring up Tony Bloom. He's pretty much a model owner

Not personal to him. I like the guy from when he was on the poker shows. My point was multi-club ownership.

[ClaretTony]

I believe Bury FC are offering free entry to their game on Saturday for all Morecambe fans as a show of solidarity.

Harrogate have made them the same offer for their home game against Grimsby this Saturday.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Not personal to him. I like the guy from when he was on the poker shows. My point was multi-club ownership.

I might be alone in this, but i don't see multi club ownership as an automatically bad thing.

[Tricky Trevor]

I might be alone in this, but i don't see multi club ownership as an automatically bad thing.

I think Crystal Palace fans might disagree with you. Enjoy the fringe.

[ŽižkovClaret]

I think Crystal Palace fans might disagree with you. Enjoy the fringe.

1 well-timed form away from it not being an issue. Shite admin, not the model, you could argue

[ClaretTony]

I might be alone in this, but i don't see multi club ownership as an automatically bad thing.

I certainly hope you are in a very small minority

[ŽižkovClaret]

I certainly hope you are in a very small minority

Opinions i guess. There are savings to be had, you can have one set of central functions, payroll, HR, Analysis, even medical at some higher non-contact levels, procurement......

Football can learn a lot from business, and where savings/efficiencies can be made with negligible impact on the football functions, why not?

[ClaretTony]

Opinions i guess. There are savings to be had, you can have one set of central functions, payroll, HR, Analysis, even medical at some higher non-contact levels, procurement......

Football can learn a lot from business, and where savings/efficiencies can be made with negligible impact on the football functions, why not?

Well I think of it as a football supporter - it's wrong, badly wrong.

[Row x]

I certainly hope you are in a very small minority

I'm in the minority then

Like any ownership it's down to how good the owners are

There's enough non multi ownership clubs in trouble with bad owners.

[ClaretTony]

Football fans helping football fans

Bury FC are giving free entry to Morecambe fans for their home game against Chester. The Shrimps Trust have decided to run a coach to the game at Gigg Lane at between £15 and £19.50 per person dependent on numbers. Now, two Bury & Chester fans have stepped forward and paid for the coach.

Brilliant to see.

[HurstGrangeClaret]

Football fans helping football fans

Bury FC are giving free entry to Morecambe fans for their home game against Chester. The Shrimps Trust have decided to run a coach to the game at Gigg Lane at between £15 and £19.50 per person dependent on numbers. Now, two Bury & Chester fans have stepped forward and paid for the coach.

Brilliant to see.

Sheer class!

[ClaretAndJew]

Kendal F.C are donating half of each Morecambe fans entry back to Morecambe F.C for their game tomorrow at home.

My company is also paying the tickets for the first 30 Morecambe fans who come to the game with a Morecambe FC shirt on.

[ClaretTony]

Kendal F.C are donating half of each Morecambe fans entry back to Morecambe F.C for their game tomorrow at home.

My company is also paying the tickets for the first 30 Morecambe fans who come to the game with a Morecambe FC shirt on.

Clubs and supporters rallying to help. It’s how it should be and so good to see.

[ClaretAndJew]

Clubs and supporters rallying to help. It’s how it should be and so good to see.

I don't think my post made sense:

Anyone wearing Morecambe Town shirts attending Kendal Town's home game tomorrow, half of the cost of the entry will be put back into Morecambe Town via the Shrimps Trust.

My company will also be paying for the first 30 Morecambe AFC fans that turn up to a Kendal game tomorrow.

[ClaretAndJew]

Managed to raise over £500 for the Shrimps Trust today at Kendal.

[Vegas Claret]

potentially good news for them finally

[my_colls]

Telegraph report the Shrimps have been hit with HMRC winding up order.