Morecambe FC faces winding-up petition from construction firm
Morecambe Football Club is in a precarious situation following a winding-up petition lodged against the team by KPM Groundworks Ltd, a construction firm, on 16 March. This legal action pertains to an outstanding debt that predates the acquisition of the club by the Panjab Warriors consortium last August, reports BritPanorama.
The club was not informed of the petition until Tuesday afternoon, which was their first notification of the proceedings. Club officials have initiated discussions with KPM Groundworks and its legal representatives, aiming to have the petition withdrawn as soon as possible.
This incident adds to the turmoil already enveloping Morecambe, a club with a 105-year history, which has faced significant challenges this season. Following a dismal finish at the bottom of League Two last term, they found themselves relegated from the Football League. Their current run in the National League has also been fraught, with the opening fixtures postponed due to unpaid bills under previous ownership.
Since the Panjab Warriors completed their takeover on 17 August, instability has persisted. Manager Ashvir Singh Johal, who led the team to only five victories in 28 league matches, departed in January, and ex-player Jim Bentley has taken over, trying to steady the ship. Despite his efforts, the club now sits in 23rd place in the league, six points from safety with six matches left in the season.
The situation worsened after a recent home defeat to Hartlepool United, which further jeopardises their hopes of avoiding a second consecutive relegation. Looking ahead, they are set for a crucial match against Aldershot Town, currently placed 18th. Supporters are understandably concerned, especially with the Shrimps Trust actively engaging with the club’s management and the local MP to gain clarity on this unsettling situation.
This marks the second winding-up petition faced by Morecambe in recent months, following an HMRC action last August that was retracted just before the takeover was finalised. As the scenario unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by clubs in the lower tiers of English football, where financial pressures can so easily threaten their very survival.
