Tyson Fury's beloved Morecambe on brink of extinction after relegation into non-league as furious ownership row erupts
MORECAMBE FC have claimed that a deal to sell the club is on the brink of collapse, plunging the National League outfit's future into uncertainty.
Morecambe, who were relegated from League Two this season after finishing bottom of the table, have been in financial turmoil for some time, with the club listed for sale since 2022.
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Fans had assumed the issues were finally coming to an end after prospective new owners, Panjab Warriors, were cleared by the EFL to purchase the club after passing the fit and proper persons test earlier this month.
However, Panjab Warriors have now claimed that the current ownership, Bond Group - led by majority shareholder Jason Whittingham - have "adopted an uncooperative stance" that is "obstructing the completion of a sale".
In a statement, Panjab Warriors wrote: "We now see no option but to publicly disclose the current situation, as the continued delays have become untenable.
"To be clear: the delay lies solely with Bond Group (Jason Whittingham) and Colin Goldring.
"It now appears they are deliberately jeopardising the very existence of the club in a last-ditch effort to alter terms that were already agreed upon and formally ratified by the EFL.
"This is a blatant attempt to extract additional funds from the Panjab Warriors team by using Morecambe FC's future as leverage."
The statement went on to reveal that Bond Group have claimed they are unable to pay staff and players for the month of June.
It continued: "Disturbingly, further proof of this emerged today when the Bond Group informed Morecambe FC's Board of Directors that they are unable to facilitate the club's payroll, due today, for players and staff.
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"Displaying a shocking disregard for the livelihoods of those who serve the club day in, day out.
"We firmly and publicly criticise the actions and approach of Mr Whittingham and his associates and implore Bond Group to honour the agreed terms and finalise the sale without further delay."
Meanwhile Morecambe's website also displayed a statement from the club's board of directors, condemning the actions of the Bond Group and pleading with those in charge to sell the club to Panjab Warriors.
The statement read: "Bond Group Investments Limited are playing with people's livelihoods, threatening the very existence of this proud club, and risking serious damage to the community it serves.
"They have consistently proved to be deceitful, and the Board of Directors call upon them to, for once, do the right thing and sell the club immediately to Panjab Warriors."
SunSport have approached the Bond Group for comment.
Financial issues have damaged the club on a sporting level in recent campaigns, namely seeing a transfer embargo put in place last March due to the non-payment of a VAT bill.
Since the club was put up for sale in 2022, the team has suffered consecutive relegations and fallen from League One to the National League.
While wages have gone unpaid for players and staff on multiple occasions in the past.
Fan groups have voiced their concern over the latest developments, asking for communication from Bond Group over the position of the sale.
The club's official supporters group, Shrimps Trust, said: "If there is an issue with the sale, this needs to be open and transparent, after 14 days of being told 'this will complete imminently' the message has worn thin.
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"EFL clearance has been given, we have been told that terms had been agreed, no more time should be wasted.
"Complete the sale of our club, and let Morecambe FC start a new chapter in our history."
While fan protest group, The 1920 Union, said in a statement: "If wages are late again, then serious questions must be asked.
''Where is the money? We are reminded that season ticket sales are up compared to last season.
"Prize money and gate receipts from our FA Cup run, as well as solidarity payments from the EFL, have been received. Yet the staff and players who keep this club going are once again left in limbo."
Adding: "Enough is enough. We need a sale. We need answers. And we need a future we can believe in.
''Our club cannot continue to drift aimlessly. It must be secured, stable, and supported.''
Morecambe are former boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury 's local club.
The Gypsy King has sponsored the club's shorts in the past, and even claimed in 2022 that he was considering buying them.
He told talkSPORT at the time: "I'm thinking about buying Morecambe Football Club, they're in League One at the moment.
"So I was thinking I invest X amount of millions in them. Basically throw it at them and keep them going up.
"I've been offered to buy Morecambe Football Club. I own all the training facilities anyway and the training gym. So who knows?
"You might be looking at a football club owner."
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