Generous football fans have already pledged thousands of pounds towards a fundraising campaign aimed at helping to secure the future of Morecambe FC.
The ‘Save Our Shrimps’ campaign was launched over the weekend by the Shrimps Trust.
The initial target is to raise £50,000.
You can donate to the campaign here:
Rich Allan from the Trust has been speaking to Beyond Radio’s Dave Salmon.
Click below to watch:
The Trust said: ‘’Morecambe FC is a proud club, with a history spanning over a century.
‘’We like many other clubs in the EFL, have an ownership issue.
‘’Whilst an independent regulator for football is not forthcoming, us Shrimps fans need to fight for our club survival.
‘’We need funds.
‘’This is a Shrimps Trust fundraiser. We need to get money into our coffers so that we have the financial resources to either have a financial stake in our beloved football club and attempt to secure its future, or protect the existence of a football club in Morecambe should the worst happen.''
‘’Please support our campaign. Shrimps’ fans - now is the time to unite, now is the time to put our money where our mouths are.
‘’To the wider footballing community - this isn’t just a Morecambe FC issue, this is a football pyramid issue. As such we call on you for support too.
‘’If you don’t want to see another EFL club fold, due to mismanagement, and you feel passionate about the lower leagues in this country. Please help Save Our Shrimps.
‘’This is an impassioned plea from us Shrimps, to the wider footballing community, help us get this campaign to go viral. Help us raise funds to try and save our wonderful, community club.’’
The Trust also added that due to the fast-changing position of the club’s plight, if the campaign is determined not succeed in raising enough funds to purchase a significant share of the club, the funds will be used in other ways as determined by the Trust Board.
This may include projects such as developing the land at the side of the nearby Hurley Flyer pub, or a fan zone at the ground, with any spend subject to member approval.
Above: Morecambe FC owner, Jason Whittingham of Bond Group Investments
The Trust continued: ‘’Many people have asked about the objective behind the Shrimps Trust fundraiser and what it seeks to achieve. The answer is intentionally broad because the future of the club is currently uncertain.
‘’Over the past year, many supporters and Shrimps Trust members have urged the trust to do more to support the club in its current state. Some have even suggested that we increase our share ownership to have more influence on the club's structure. However, achieving this requires significant funds.
‘’Owning the club outright would cost millions, a position we are far from. Therefore, complete ownership is unlikely to result from this fundraiser. We could increase our shareholding through a new share issue, but unless the funds raised are substantial, it wouldn't change the club's current situation. Another option is a partial share acquisition from Bond Group, but this, too, would require significant funds.
‘’The reality is that if the club continues in its current legal entity, the most likely outcome is a change in ownership, either through a solvent sale or through an administration process. While the trust would have some influence in such scenarios, without significant funds, we are unlikely to be part of any ownership group.
‘’In a worst-case scenario, a new phoenix club might be formed in the future. While this is highly unlikely at this stage, if it were to happen, the trust would take an active role in the new structure, which would also require funds. In all scenarios, one thing is clear: we need a fighting fund that the trust can use regardless of the situation that arises.
‘’We can only achieve this with the generosity of the football community and those fortunate enough to help.
‘’Rest assured that whatever the outcome, the funds will be securely held within the trust. Any large expenditure will be subject to membership approval, as always. Our true desire is for a smooth ownership transition, allowing the funds to be spent on positive initiatives that benefit supporters. This is the desired outcome for everyone.’’
The Shrimps Trust was founded in 2017, as a voice of the fanbase, during a period of uncertainty which ultimately resulted in the acquisition of Morecambe Football Club Limited by Bond Group Investments Limited.
In February, hundreds of Morecambe supporters staged a march, highlighting the club was for sale.
Bond Group Investments has owned Morecambe FC since 2018.
The English Football League (EFL) have to approve any prospective new owner of any club.
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