A minimum two-season stay for Morecambe FC's owners

Having acquired their stake in the club prior to the final game of last season, Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring confirmed at Wednesday’s fans forum that funding is in place until the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

What happens after that is pure conjecture, especially as it was revealed that someone else may well have to come in should the club gain promotion to League One.

When asked how long they saw themselves staying with the club, Mr Whittingham said: “A minimum of two years.

“We have an amount of money, and if we had a good season, it would take a whole heap more and there’d be certain things we’d have to put in.

“We’re fully committed for the next two-and-a-half seasons; if we got into the play-offs or promotion we’d probably have to go to someone else and look for the extra money.”

While that may be another topic for another day, Shrimps’ director Rod Taylor urged supporters to look at the new owners’ arrival as a fresh start for the club.

The last couple of seasons have been ones to forget, certainly off the field with ownership issues and wages being paid late.

“Look where we’ve been over the last two years and I think we’re still lucky to have a football club,” Mr Taylor said.

“We have a great platform to work from; let’s enjoy it, get back on the road, see where it takes us, let’s get this ground rocking and get behind the team.”

That platform also includes a desire to see the club in an improved financial position.

Another loss has been prepared for in the new season but the aim is to be in profit by the start of the following campaign.

“As part of the fit and proper (owners test), we have to agree what we see as the next two-and-a-half season’s cash flow requirement,” Mr Whittingham said.

“We are aware of the loss and we have signed up to another loss this season even though we don’t think it’ll happen.

“The following season, because of what we think we can add and supporting Jim (Bentley, Morecambe manager) with an improved budget, we’re looking to move the club towards profitability.”