Exclusive: Morecambe Transfer Update

Morecambe has sent out a position-based inquiry to agents ahead of the January transfer window. According to sources they are seeking to sign “a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a central midfielder, a left winger and a striker”.

Morecambe were relegated to League Two last season, with a huge turnover of stars due to financial difficulty. Star players such as Cole Stockton left the club for nothing. Their misery deepened further when fan favourite manager Derek Adams left the club to “to pursue an opportunity elsewhere”. He later took over the role at Ross County. The club then appointed internally with Ged Brannan taking over as manager in late November. 

Despite a resounding victory over Doncaster Rovers and draws with Stockport County and Bradford City, they were thrashed by Notts County 5-0 in yesterday’s fixtures. They sit 16th in the league, 15 points ahead of the relegation places but with off-field issues looming it could spark disaster. 

In early December the club’s board of directors put out a statement informing supporters that they no longer have confidence in the club’s ownership, the Bond Group, stating that they are unable to meet their ongoing obligations due to the absentee nature and lack of support from those above. This could spark trouble for a club looking to sign what could be described as half a team in the upcoming window as funds and budgets will be low to non-existent. It could mean further sanctions from governing bodies and even more difficulties for Ged Brannan and his side. 

These position based notices are pretty standard when starting a transfer window, but perhaps indicates a club’s strategy and the positions that they are targeting. There may be more positions that they already have a firm target to fill but they are currently compiling lists for at least five positions.

Writer’s View

Morecambe are in trouble, but credit must be given to those behind the scenes who are working tirelessly to keep fighting for the fans. The fact they are looking to sign so many players in the window perhaps shows the difficult situation they have been put in. They found themselves in a similar situation in the summer, but luckily found themselves with a gap between themselves and the relegation spots.