Ex-Carlisle United man announces emotional departure from crisis club

Yahoo

16 hours ago

Former Carlisle United man Tom White has left crisis club Morecambe - and posted an emotional statement in the process.
The ex-Blues youth team captain says it is the most difficult decision of his career to walk away from the National League club, whose future is in peril.
White, 28, says he is leaving "for reasons that should never occur in football" with the Shrimps embroiled in a takeover saga which is putting their very existence under threat.
The midfielder says that, as he moves on, he is "praying" for Morecambe to be saved, while he paid tribute to staff and colleagues, including assistant manager and ex-Carlisle captain Danny Grainger.
White is the latest player to opt to leave Morecambe, who are currently suspended from the National League with no end in sight to calls for controversial owner Jason Whittingham to sell the club.
Former Barrow midfielder White said his past 13 months at Morecambe have been special, and he added: "I've had to make the most difficult decision of my career and I have decided to depart for reasons that should never occur in football."
Speaking of the importance of Morecambe in its community, White added: "What has happened to Morecambe, Bury, Macclesfield, and many other clubs is a catastrophic failure and a failure caused by negligence, arrogance and a lack of knowledge.
In pictures: Carlisle United fans at the Chester game!
"From the gaffer and Danny [Grainger], to my team-mates, staff behind the scenes and the fans, the solidarity, heart and empathy you've all shown to one another, while trying to find positives in the most horrific situation, will stick with me forever.
"Morecambe Football Club is special; I'm aware that I'm at risk of using all the clichés under the sun. I can't put into words how much you have all impacted my life and restored my faith in how I see the game.
"I've never played the sport for money or status, I play it to be able to represent my family and the people of the club. And I could not have picked a better set of people to represent.
White, pictured in 2013, is a former Carlisle United youth team captain (Image: Stuart Walker)
"This institution needs to survive, and I'm praying it does. Keep fighting and hopefully I will see you all soon.'
White had triggered a contract extension at the end of last season but Morecambe's plight has seen him become the latest player to leave.
Another Morecambe midfielder, Harvey Macadam, played for Carlisle as a trialist in their 2-0 win at Chester on Saturday. He also triggered an extension last season.
The National League are set to meet again on August 20 to determine whether Morecambe's suspension can be lifted.
Currently there is no sign of an ownership resolution that can help them do that, amid urgent calls for Whittingham to sell up, with the investment group Panjab Warriors seeking to take the club over.
Some social media accounts yesterday claimed that Morecambe had already folded, but these claims were inaccurate.
Whittingham last week claimed a new party, headed by a man called 'Jonny Cato', were in talks to take the club over.
But the Shrimps Trust say the National League have confirmed that only Panjab Warriors have approached the league regarding a purchase of the club.
Meanwhile, another former Carlisle United player has secured a new club after leaving Morecambe.
Forward Hallam Hope, who was released by the Shrimps after their relegation from League Two last season, has joined National League North club Radcliffe.
Hallam Hope, left, has a new club (Image: Richard Parkes)
The 31-year-old has signed a one-year deal with an option after playing for Radcliffe on trial during pre-season.
"I'm excited for the season and I'm looking forward to getting going after being with the club throughout pre-season," Hope told the club website.
"I've got a lot of experience so I'm hoping to add that to the team, as well as some goals in the final third."
His new team-mates at Radcliffe include former Carlisle midfielder George Glendon, while ex-Blues defender Stephen O'Halloran is the club's head of medical.
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