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With the downturn of the domestic tourism sector that once bolstered Morecambe, its century-old football club has stepped in to fill that void - creating employment opportunities, energizing local enterprises, and fostering a sense of belonging, identity, and camaraderie.
However, Morecambe FC is now confronting the looming threat of closure due to an escalating financial crisis, as owner Jason Whittingham’s inability to sell the club has led to its suspension from the National League.
The consequences for the devoted local community are profound.
"It’s truly devastating," comments Alison Williamson, a local resident and supporter of the club since 1974. "The football club contributes immensely to our town. It’s heartbreaking that Whittingham is down in Essex and allowed to take everything away from us."
"It feels like a mourning experience. It’s akin to losing a family member who has always been present. Even if you don’t see them all the time, their absence is deeply felt when they’re gone."
A week ago, the club’s players were sent home, unable to train due to the lack of insurance coverage. The academy has also come to a halt.
For some, the gradual and painful decline of their football club jeopardizes the unity of the community and reflects the previous decline of the local economy.
"Morecambe was incredible in its prime," states Les Dewhirst, the club’s kit man for the past three decades. "We had everything from little zoos to amusement parks to theaters and piers. We may not have much of that left now, but it’s still a wonderful place and football is a significant part of it."
"I met my wife at the football. We were both second-timers, and our children have grown up attending matches at this ground together. Strangers greet me on the street saying 'hello Les,' and it brings me joy."
"I may not know everyone’s names who come here, but I recognize all the faces. We all gather for the same reason - because we care."
This sense of care has prompted supporters, led by the fan group The Shrimps' Trust, to protest against Whittingham’s ownership of the club and to call for his selling of the club for years.
While there have been agreements on takeover attempts in the past, none have materialized, and fans now face the reality of potentially having no club to support in the upcoming season.
"This place is a significant part of my life," remarks Kate Barker, a fan and former chief steward for 20 years, who has since been honored as an honorary life vice-president. "All my closest friends are here. It’s a cliché, but we truly are a family, looking out for one another."
"We always look forward to gathering on Tuesdays and Saturdays for matches. Whether we win, lose, or draw - the outcome isn’t what matters. We never let football interfere with enjoying a good day out."
“We will continue to come together and reminisce about the past, sharing stories of our experiences and journeys. However, we should be able to do so here every week,” Barker emphasizes.
“Inside, I’m feeling completely shattered.”
Once, the seafront of the town was filled with various fairgrounds, theaters, piers, and small zoos, but now it hosts only a few bars and restaurants, most of which rely on matchday revenue and visiting fans.
The club's struggles pose risks to the local businesses.
“The winters here are particularly tough, being a seaside town,” explains Chris Donaldson, proprietor of The Royal Hotel along the seafront. “The football season helps us survive those months.
“I have 19 rooms that are often fully booked by away supporters weeks in advance. The entire town can be bustling.
“It will easily cost us tens of thousands. Losing that amount would profoundly impact the town. Everyone will feel the consequences.”
For the employees at the pub frequented by fans on matchday, the change in atmosphere is already noticeable.
“On matchdays, we usually see around 400 to 500 patrons,” states Michael Woolworth, manager of the Hurley Flyer located across from the stadium. “It feels as if the entire community of Morecambe is here.
“It has become a weekend tradition. Here, we truly witness how football unites people.
“However, in the past few months, we’ve observed a shift; the joy has been dimmed. Our regular customers have come in visibly distressed.”
Morecambe FC has been one of the key employers in the region recently. Unfortunately, the financial troubles of the club have resulted in delayed or even unpaid salaries for staff and players in certain months. Dewhirst last received his paycheck in May.
“I’m dipping into my savings at this point,” he reveals. “Some don’t have that luxury—many are resorting to food banks as they struggle to afford groceries.
“It’s been difficult to see players leaving. Just yesterday, another one departed. I’ve known several of them for years.
“I feel shattered. There’s a sense of numbness that has settled in.”
The club provides more than just football to the local community. Its facilities are utilized for various events, fun days, and fundraising efforts for community causes that matter to many residents.
“The club engages in significant community work, including hosting sessions for elderly locals and activities at care homes,” shares former co-chairman Rod Taylor, who was ousted from the board in a hastily scheduled video meeting arranged by Whittingham earlier this summer.
“We run a support group for those pre- and post-cancer treatment that meet regularly, and we visit schools to conduct sessions. The value of that is immeasurable. A substantial portion of the town’s population is affected by more than football in one way or another.”
This sense of connection throughout the community and among generations embodies the spirit of Morecambe’s fan base.
"Football serves as an escape from everyday life," Taylor states. "It's something that spans generations. When I was around five or six, my grandfather took me to our former stadium, Christie Park. That experience stays with you. It becomes a part of who you are. It's embedded in your very being.
"I believe Whittingham may need to generate additional funds to address some of his personal financial obligations. It seems he is attempting to extract more money."
Pat Stoyles, the Chair of The Shrimps' Trust, has devoted considerable amounts of his free time to safeguarding the club's position and its long-term viability in recent years.
"The primary issue has been the lack of communication from Jason Whittingham," he remarks. "The chaos has persisted for weeks without resolution.
"The beginning of the EFL season last weekend proved to be challenging. Typically, we would be fully engaged in that kind of activity, but witnessing live football again emphasizes what we stand to lose.
"The social dimension of football is the most significant aspect. What happens on the pitch is all well and good, but it’s about the individuals you travel with, the ones you share drinks with, the people you stand alongside, and the community you belong to. For many, the loss of that connection will considerably affect their overall well-being and mental health.
"Some individuals are already inquiring whether, if things take a turn for the worse, we can still gather in common spaces."
The National League is scheduled to reconvene on 20 August and, unless they are persuaded that Morecambe possesses the financial capability to finish the season, will officially expel them from the league.
At present, fans, staff, and players are left in suspense, anxiously awaiting whether Whittingham will ultimately sell the club before it's too late.
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