Cato-led consortium confirmed as Morecambe bidders

BBC News

2 days ago

A consortium looking to take over beleaguered National League club Morecambe is being led by an investor called Jonny Cato, the Shrimps' current owner has said.Cato's consortium is separate to that of Panjab Warriors, who had their own takeover bid approved by the English Football League shortly after the club's relegation from League Two last season.Shrimps owner Jason Whittingham had previously said terms had been agreed with Panjab Warriors, with a deal set to be formally completed earlier in July, before a "last-minute bid" came in from Cato.In a statement, external on Friday, Whittingham said Cato would be part of "an impressive group being built around him to develop the club over the coming seasons"."Neither Jonny or his team have any connection to Jason or [his] Bond Group [firm] of any kind," the statement continued."Sales agreements will be completed today (Friday) and will include a generous payment from the buyer to pay staff and players while the National League approval process is completed. We are grateful for this gesture of goodwill when the club and its stakeholders needed it most."A further update will be given later on Friday, the statement added.
The announcement of Cato's identity comes a day after former co-chairman Rod Taylor said he was "fearful" for the club's existence, with June's payroll only partially paid after a turbulent summer.Taylor and the former board of directors had threatened to put the club into administration at the beginning of July if a deal to sell the Shrimps did not go ahead.Whittingham then sacked the board in response but brought them back days later in order to help finalise a deal to sell the club to Panjab Warriors.When that deal did not go through, the board resigned from their posts, and former board member James Wakefield told BBC Radio Lancashire on Thursday he was amazed the club was still operating and predicted it could have only days left.Morecambe are scheduled to begin their 2025-26 National League campaign against Boston on 9 August.