Latest news with #JonnyCato
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Crisis club Morecambe SUSPENDED from matches as National League release damning statement
Morecambe are stuck within the grips of a major crisis following their relegation from the Football League last summer and they will now be banned from taking to the pitch at all The National League have confirmed that they have suspended Morecambe amid the grips of a financial crisis. The organising committee of the division confirmed the decision in a statement on Monday amid growing issues for the Lancashire outfit. 'The National League's Compliance and Licensing Committee reconvened this afternoon to debate the on-going concerns surrounding Morecambe Football Club and its compliance with National League rules,' the statement read. 'Discussions regarding the Club's ability to meet its financial obligations for the 2025/2026 season have again taken place. 'It was decided further sanctions must be imposed, with the Club's membership to be suspended with immediate effect. The Club will also remain under embargo ahead of the new season. Morecambe Football Club will also be removed from the National League Cup for the forthcoming season. 'The Committee will meet again on Wednesday August 20 to determine if outstanding items have been satisfied, and to decide the Club's ability to retain Membership in the Competition.' The suspension means that Morecambe will now be prevented from playing until the next meeting of the committee which includes fixtures against Boston United, Brackley Town, Scunthorpe, Altrincham and Aldershot Town. The issues revolve around ongoing financial issues, as well as multiple failed takeover attempts. Panjab Warriors and Jonny Cato were thought to be close to a deal, only for current owner Jason Whittingham to pen a statement suggesting that they have gone silent. A club statement read: 'Bond Group Investments has continued to work with the Consortium led by Jonny Cato in their efforts to acquire the majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club. 'Whilst talks are ongoing, it is clear that continual negative press statements impacting on the club, have given them cause for concern and pause. Alongside this, Bond Group had agreed to an offer, made by a Sikh representative of, and on behalf of, the Panjab Warriors, and are ready to sell on that basis. 'Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them. We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale.' Morecambe have been up for sale for nearly three years. Players and staff were only paid a third of their most recent wages, while their upcoming pre-season friendly clash with Barrow has been cancelled. Morecambe were relegated from League Two last season.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Morecambe owner 'not heard from' potential bidder
Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham said he has "not heard from" bidders Panjab Warriors in the past week over their proposed takeover. The Shrimps face a noon deadline on Monday to "outline terms that must be met" with the National League contemplating further sanctions on the troubled club. Talks have been ongoing with Panjab Warriors over a possible takeover for more than a year, with the club initially being put up for sale in 2022, and suffering two relegations in the last two seasons. In a statement on the club website, Whittingham said: "Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them. "We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale." BBC Sport has contacted Panjab Warriors for comment. A rival bid, from a consortium led by an investor named as Jonny Cato, has also been accepted, but Whittingham said that deal is in limbo. "It is clear that continual negative press statements impacting on the club, have given them cause for concern and pause," the statement added. The league said earlier this week it has "serious concerns" about the club's compliance with its rules, having met with Whittingham on Thursday and then having set the deadline for Monday, when their club compliance and licensing committee meet. Former co-chairman Rod Taylor previously said he fears for the club's existence as the matter drags on, and with the board of directors having resigned in protest at the lack of movement. Players and staff have only been paid a third of their most recent wages with Tuesday's planned pre-season friendly against Barrow cancelled but Saturday's friendly with AFC Fylde going ahead as planned.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Morecambe owner 'not heard from' potential bidder
Morecambe owner Jason Whittingham said he has "not heard from" bidders Panjab Warriors in the past week over their proposed Shrimps face a noon deadline on Monday to "outline terms that must be met" with the National League contemplating further sanctions on the troubled have been ongoing with Panjab Warriors over a possible takeover for more than a year, with the club initially being put up for sale in 2022, and suffering two relegations in the last two a statement, external on the club website, Whittingham said: "Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them."We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale."BBC Sport has contacted Panjab Warriors for comment. A rival bid, from a consortium led by an investor named as Jonny Cato, has also been accepted, but Whittingham said that deal is in limbo."It is clear that continual negative press statements impacting on the club, have given them cause for concern and pause," the statement league said earlier this week it has "serious concerns" about the club's compliance with its rules, having met with Whittingham on Thursday and then having set the deadline for Monday, when their club compliance and licensing committee co-chairman Rod Taylor previously said he fears for the club's existence as the matter drags on, and with the board of directors having resigned in protest at the lack of and staff have only been paid a third of their most recent wages with Tuesday's planned pre-season friendly against Barrow cancelled but Saturday's friendly with AFC Fylde going ahead as planned.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
National League to 'discuss Morecambe sanctions'
The National League have "serious concerns" surrounding Morecambe's compliance with its rules and intends to "discuss possible further sanctions", the body has said in a beleaguered club has had a chaotic summer since being relegated from League Two, with a deal yet to take place despite two parties having takeover bids accepted, while the board of directors league said they had met with Shrimps owner Jason Whittingham on Thursday in order to "outline terms that must be met" by 12:00 BST on were held regarding the club's ability to meet its financial obligations for the coming 2025-26 season, it added,, external with a further meeting of its Club Compliance and Licensing committee due to meet again on Monday. Whittingham put the club up for sale in September 2022 but a deal has still not been done, with the club tumbling from League One to the National League having been relegated in two of the past three Warriors have been part of a takeover attempt of the club for more than a year and the EFL approved their takeover earlier this summer after their relegation from League Two was confirmed, but that deal has still not got over the another takeover bid from a consortium led by Jonny Cato was also accepted earlier in July, but it is unclear where that bid - or that of Panjab Warriors' efforts - stands with just over two weeks remaining until the start of the has been a fraught summer for the Lancashire club, as the Shrimps' board previously threatened to put the club into administration if a deal was not board were then sacked by Whittingham but then swiftly brought back to help the deal with Panjab Warriors take after, the board resigned as that deal stalled, with Cato's "last minute" bid later accepted, however he has not been seen or heard from in public since the deal was announced.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cato-led consortium confirmed as Morecambe bidders
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 are scheduled to begin their 2025-26 National League campaign against Boston on 9 August.
