EFL club of 18 years told they are just days from extinction and may have already played their last match

An EFL club who spent 18 years in the system could be days away from extinction after a messy financial crisis.

Morecambe were promoted to the Football League in 2007 when they won the play-off final under Sammy McIlroy and reached their highest position in League One after securing another play-off triumph in 2021.

But the Shrimps have been relegated twice since then, with their 18-year spell coming to an end after they finished rock bottom in League Two.

The club are set to play in the National League next season but may cease to exist in the very near future.

The Lancashire outfit were put up for sale in September 2022 but still no buyer has been found after an unfruitful bid from Sarbjot Johal, a 20-year-old drinks entrepreneur who couldn't convince the EFL.

Morecambe look set to follow in the footsteps of Bury. Image: Getty

Earlier this month, Jason Whittingham, director of Bond Group Investments who own Wrexham, said he had come to terms with Panjab Warriors over a sale but it dragged on and he claimed another suitor had been found.

But with playing staff not being paid their wages on time, five directors threatened to put the club into administration if the deal didn't happen.

Morecambe played Chelsea in the FA Cup earlier this season. Image: Getty

Whittingham threatened to sack then, leading to them resigning before being reinstated and quickly exiting for a second time in a tumultuous period.

Morecambe have less than 10 senior players on their books and are also under a transfer embargo. But it could get much worse, with two former directors stating that the end is near.

Speaking to The Ugly Game, James Wakefield, stated: "It’s impossible to say. “I’m amazed, frankly, it’s still in this position. It can’t be long. I mean, we are talking days now.”

Rod Taylor added that the club are "literally days" away from vanishing into oblivion.

Having accused Whittingham of holding Morecambe hostage, Panjab Warriors have said they will "begin exploring all legal avenues, including action for misrepresentation and recovery of funds".

The Shrimps Trust is attempting to save the club before it is too late and Wakefield has urged fans to do what they can in the event of a miracle.

He added: “All I can do is to encourage everyone who cares about this club to keep pursuing all legitimate means to keep this in the public eye and to call on those who might be able to bring their influence to bear to help resolve it as quickly as possible.”

Morecambe could suffer the same fate as Bury, who went out of business before returning in the lower echelons of Non League.