Morecambe FC crisis: Panjab Warriors threaten legal action after Shrimps sale U-turn

A company who are all set to buy Morecambe FC say they may take legal action over the owner's last-minute U-turn on the sale of the club.

Panjab Warriors said they are "currently seeking legal advice and will begin exploring all legal avenues, including action for misrepresentation and recovery of funds" against Bond Group Investments, owners of the Shrimps.

The Hounslow-based sports investment company also said they may be "left with no alternative" but to take action against the club itself "if Bond Group’s conduct continues to compromise both the club and our investment".

Panjab Warriors were given clearance by the English Football League (EFL) to buy the National League club in June.

Jason Whittingham of Bond Group said on Friday that he had agreed final terms with Panjab Warriors to sell the club to them, after a week of uncertainty when it seemed the deal was on the brink of collapse.

But yesterday (July 9), he said another late buyer had come forward and he intended to sign a deal with them instead.

Meanwhile, according to Companies House, the club's parent company Morecambe Football Club.Limited continues to operate without any directors after the board resigned for the second time in a week, and staff monthly wages are now almost two weeks overdue.

Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge has also written to Mr Whittingham saying she is "baffled and saddened" by his claims about a new buyer and has reiterated calls for him to sell to Panjab Warriors - who say they have already sunk millions into the club.

Panjab Warriors released this statement on Thursday morning:

"The Panjab Warriors are dismayed by the events that have unfolded since the public confirmation of our acquisition of Morecambe Football Club.

"In light of Bond Group Investments Ltd’s latest announcement suggesting the sale of the club to an alternative party, we feel compelled to provide clarity to supporters, regulators, and the wider football community.

"On Friday, July 4, 2025, two formal statements were published on the official Morecambe FC website:

"The Morecambe FC board of directors stated:

"'The board of directors have unanimously agreed to rejoin Morecambe FC and facilitate the sale of Bond Group's shares to Panjab Warriors, which is intended to complete on Monday'".

“'All we can promise is that we will do everything in our powers to make it happen, get wages paid, and begin at last to look forwards.'

Below, then Morecambe FC co-chairmen Rod Taylor and Graham Howse pictured with Gurpreet Singh, head of communications at Panjab Warriors, after ther EFL gave clearance for their purchase of the club in June.

"A statement on behalf of Jason Whittingham and Bond Group Investments Ltd confirmed:

“'Bond Group Investments LTD and Panjab Warriors Sports LTD have today agreed final terms for the transfer of ownership and sale of Morecambe Football Club Limited, subject to contract, and intend to complete the sale…on Monday 7th July 2025.

“'Panjab Warriors will now engage with the National League... and provide evidence that the club will be in a stable financial position moving forward.'

"These were not speculative intentions—they were formal acknowledgements of a concluded negotiation process.

"The Panjab Warriors had already received full EFL approval, with all terms agreed and financial conditions satisfied.

"We entered this process in good faith and have, over the past 14 months, contributed significant funding to support the operational survival of the club, including payroll and working capital, at the repeated request of Bond Group Investments Ltd (BGI).

"Such statements were not verbal assurances—they were repeatedly reiterated by BGI through various modes of communication, including emails, written correspondence, and formal requests.

"These communications consistently reaffirmed that financial support was being sought to maintain the club’s operations while the sale to Panjab Warriors was finalised, and that the agreed acquisition would be completed upon receipt of EFL approval.

"All funds advanced to the club—structured as interest-free loans—were provided strictly on the basis of these written assurances."

Panjab Warriors also said that these "representations were misleading" and accused Bond Group of inducing them to "provide critical financial support under false pretences".

"Had it not been for the specific written undertakings and confirmations from BGI, we would never have entered into such financial commitments," they said.

"We now find ourselves in a position where, having honoured every obligation and provided over a year of support to keep the club alive, the sale is being diverted in favour of a last-minute party, without transparency or justification.

"This is not only a fundamental breach of trust, but may constitute misrepresentation and bad faith dealing, with potential legal consequences that we are now actively exploring.

Below, Morecambe FC's ground.

"The implications: The Panjab Warriors were formally approved by the EFL, fully funded, and ready to complete the deal immediately.

"The public commitment by both the club board and Bond Group leaves no room for ambiguity.

"The introduction of a new party at the final hour—after formal statements, EFL approval, and financial reliance—raises serious legal and regulatory questions.

"We are currently seeking legal advice and will begin exploring all legal avenues, including action for misrepresentation and recovery of funds.

"Regrettably, should this matter not be resolved swiftly and honourably, we will be forced to consider legal action to recover the substantial loans and financial support provided.

"While we have no desire to take action against Morecambe Football Club itself, we may be left with no alternative if Bond Group’s conduct continues to compromise both the club and our investment.

"We now urge: Bond Group Investments Ltd to honour its public commitment, the EFL and National League to investigate the matter thoroughly and suspend approval of any alternative transactions until this dispute is resolved, the Morecambe FC board of directors to uphold the trust placed in them by supporters and act in accordance with the club’s values and public pledges."

"The Panjab Warriors remain fully committed to the club and stand ready to complete the deal in accordance with the original agreement. We believe the supporters, staff, and town of Morecambe deserve nothing less than transparency, professionalism, and leadership grounded in integrity."

Mr Whittingham's statement on Wednesday said:

"Bond Group are pleased to announce that agreements will be signed this evening in relation to the sale of Morecambe FC.

"A last-minute bid came through from a UK buyer after learning about the club’s situation. That buyer has worked over the last 24 hours to turn around a payment to his solicitors for wages to be paid and agreed contracts pending approval of the sale by the National League.

"This buyer will make their own statement shortly to introduce themselves and set out their plans for the club over the coming seasons.

"Further announcements to follow tomorrow."

Lizzi Collinge (below) published her letter to Mr Whittingham in full on her social media channels.

It said:

"Dear Jason,

"I have been baffled and saddened by the latest developments in the sale of the club and I am hoping you can answer some questions for me, on behalf of the people of Morecambe.

"When will staff be paid?

"Who is the new buyer and why is this preferable to selling to the Panjab Warriors?

"Have the National League been informed of the new potential buyers? If so, when were they informed?

"When will a new board of directors be appointed?

"I note that events like school leavers parties been cancelled due to the lack of payment to staff and suppliers. When will you refund the schools’ costs?

"Finally, a plea for you to communicate directly with the people affected at the club who, on the information I have, are feeling confused and ignored. They have poured their heart and soul into our club and deserve better."

Morecambe FC fans have reacted with outrage on social media, to the announcement of the potential new buyer.

One supporter said "the audacity of this ownership is absolutely disgraceful" while another said "what a joke....messing with people's livelihoods".

The club has been up for sale since September 2022.

MORECAMBE FC CRISIS: TIMELINE OF EVENTS SO FAR

Friday June 27: The Morecambe FC board of directors reveal that the planned sale of the club to Panjab Warriors is on the brink of collapse, just weeks after the prospective new owners gained clearance from the English Football League (EFL) to proceed with a takeover. The board said owners Bond Group Investments were "considering reneging on the deal". Players and staff at the club were due to be paid their monthly salaries, but hadn't received the money from the owners.

Tuesday July 1: The board gives Bond Group an ultimatum, sell to Panjab Warriors or the club faces being put into administration. By this point, staff have been paid around a third of their wages.

Wednesday July 2: Jason Whittingham denies "stalling" over the deal, says he still intends to sell but that "any transfer of shares (has to be) done in a way that holds no recourse for either the club or Bond Group". He says he intends to "resolve the matter of staff salaries" and wants to "avoid administration at all costs". As such, he says he has begun the process of dismissing the board. All five board members - co-chairmen Rod Taylor and Graham Howse, and James Wakefield, Charles Appleyard and Mick Horton - are terminated as directors at Companies House, although minutes of a Shrimps Trust meeting reveals all five had resigned before this.

Thursday July 3: Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale (below), says in Parliament that the club is "in crisis". Both she and Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, call on Bond Group to complete the sale. In a further statement, Jason Whittingham says "work continues to complete the sale process and give Morecambe Football Club the fresh start the club and its community deserve". Sponsors Bay Camera and Communications Ltd say they will stop sponsoring the club until it is sold.

Friday July 4: Mr Whittingham says the long-awaited sale will complete on Monday July 7 and that final terms have been agreed with Panjab Warriors. The board of directors, he said, have been invited back to "support the final stages of the sale process". The five directors are then reappointed. The Shrimps Trust said they had spoken to Kuljeet Singh Momi of Panjab Warriors, who confirmed an agreement had been reached. But, said the trust: "If a deal is indeed agreed, we do not understand why it needs the weekend to complete."

Monday July 7: Mr Whittingham says the sale will not complete on Monday as extra time is needed for "final items" to be signed off and "it’s likely we will need tomorrow to complete the sale.’’ In response, the board of directors resign again. Mr Whittingham also says there has been "a campaign of abuse" against him and his family on social media and this has "put off at least two potential buyers" of the football club.

Tuesday July 8: Panjab Warriors say everything is ready for them to take charge and accuse Mr Whittingham of holding the club hostage. As the new Football Governance Bill passes through the Commons, Lizzi Collinge calls on the Morecambe FC owner to "sign the damn paperwork". 

Wednesday July 9: Jason Whittingham says a new buyer has come forward and agreements will be signed "this evening". The Shrimps Trust respond by saying that the National League had not been made aware of the alternate buyer.

Read more about the ongoing crisis at Morecambe FC at these links:

Morecambe FC crisis: Owner announces last-minute new buyer of club - Beyond Radio

Businesses rally round to help Morecambe FC staff as wages remain unpaid - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC owners-in-waiting say club is "being held hostage" over delayed sale - Beyond Radio

UPDATED: Morecambe FC takeover deal still not done as board resign for second time - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC owner says social media ‘campaign of abuse’ has put off potential buyers of club

Morecambe FC owners say sale of club will complete on Monday

Morecambe FC crisis: Devastated Shrimps fan withdraws sponsorship until club is sold

Morecambe FC owner says "work continues to complete the sale process" 

‘Crisis point’ - Morecambe FC owner sacks board of directors as administration row rumbles on

Administration threat as Morecambe FC owner given sale ultimatum

'Where is the money?' Morecambe FC sale on brink of collapse after wages delay