MORECAMBE have sacked their board for the second time in just five days amid a dispute over the sale of the club.
Owner Jason Whittingham has released a statement affirming his commitment to selling the club.
But he has sacked the Morecambe board again – just three days after they were appointed after being terminated on July 2.
EFL bosses gave the green light to the Panjab Warriors consortium headed by London-based businessman Kuljeet Singh Momi at the start of June.
The takeover was expected to be completed today but Whittingham announced a delay, saying final details still need to be signed off.
A club statement from Whittingham read: “Bond Group Investments Ltd remains committed to the sale of its majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club.
“In doing so we also remain committed to ensuring that staff are paid as soon as possible and the Club avoids administration.
“We made significant progress over the past few days, getting legal agreements drawn up and agreed in principle, subject to signing, with various stakeholders involved in the sale.
“Despite the expectation to complete today, unfortunately there are some final items to get signed off and it’s likely we will need tomorrow to complete the sale.”
The consortium initially set Whittingham a deadline of 4pm on July 1 and accused him of not having the funds to meet the club’s salary bill while threatening to call in the receivers.
Whittingham responded by sacking the board for the first time, insisting it was the only way for Morecambe to find a solution to keep the club going while denying he was “stalling” on the sale.
In a statement explaining the move to fans, Whittingham said: “There is no doubt that the Club is in a precarious position and is at a crisis point.
“We also appreciate the stress this is causing for all connected with Morecambe FC.
“As majority shareholder we are making every effort to resolve any issues that have arisen and are working to protect the best interests of the club.”
He added: “Bond Group Investments has started the process to dismiss the board in order that we can take control over the situation giving us the required additional time to ensure that the club has the best chance to avoid Administration.
“We hope the board put the interest of the club before any personal grievances and during this delicate time of negotiation to save the club, refrain from their propensity of issuing negative statements.
“The notion that Bond Group Investments is stalling is not true. We are deeply sorry for the distress and uncertainty this is causing.
“Bond Group Investments need to ensure that any transfer of shares, in a sale, is done in a way that holds no recourse for either the Club or Bond Group.
“The safety of the club’s future is paramount and our focus is to work to find solutions to resolve the matter of staff salary and the sale of the club to avoid administration at all costs.”
Morecambe, who were once sponsored by boxer Tyson Fury, were relegated from League Two last season, ending their ten year stay in the EFL.
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