Morecambe to pay outstanding wages after takeover

Morecambe have said they have received funds from new owners Panjab Warriors to pay outstanding wages and football creditors.

Panjab Warriors' takeover of the club was completed on Sunday after a turbulent summer in which Morecambe were suspended from the National League.

In a statement on Monday, the club said funds were also supplied to pay all liabilities to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The club said wages, liabilities and football creditors would be paid by Wednesday.

Panjab Warriors said, external that although their initial aim was to challenge for promotion back to the English Football League (EFL), "the events and circumstances of the past couple of months" would make it difficult to achieve that this season.

"The priority for this season will be to ensure that we have a competitive team on the pitch, and rebuild the foundations behind the scenes, and develop processes, that will help us compete for promotion in the following season and beyond," the group added.

The Shrimps were forced to postpone their opening three fixtures after being suspended from the National League, but the league cleared them to begin their season after approving the deal, with the Shrimps set to host Altrincham on Saturday.

A transfer embargo had been set to remain in place until all football creditors - including players, staff and HMRC - were paid, with the club saying the embargo would be lifted once those outstanding debts were settled.

The deal marks the end of Jason Whittingham's tenure as owner of Morecambe after he took over in May 2018, and comes almost three years after his Bond Group put the club up for sale.

"All at the club would like to thank Jason and wish him the very best for the future," added Panjab Warriors.