Panjab Warriors have released a detailed statement about the on-going chaos at Morecambe FC.
Here it is in full:
Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd (PW) expresses deep concern and strongly contests yesterday’s public announcement by Mr Jason Whittingham regarding a proposed sale of Morecambe Football Club to a consortium including named individual Mr Jonny Cato.
This unwelcome development disregards the significant financial, legal, and regulatory steps already taken by PW to support and acquire Morecambe FC over the past 14 months. It also raises serious questions about transparency, governance, and the continued wellbeing of the Club.
Our Position
Panjab Warriors has acted in good faith throughout an unduly protracted transaction process. Our contributions include:
• Procuring over £1.7 million in working capital injected directly into
Morecambe FC to support player wages, operational costs, and football
infrastructure.
• Direct payments made with the full knowledge and active encouragement of Bond Group and its sole director, Mr Whittingham.
• Formal approval of our ownership by the EFL, following a comprehensive review of our structure, funding, and intent.
• Signed undertakings and legal agreements, which Mr Whittingham and
Bond appear to have repeatedly delayed or ignored, despite public and
private assurances.
Legal Action Initiated
Recently our solicitors at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP served formal
legal notices of claim to both Mr Jason Whittingham and Bond Group . The
National League remains updated and engaged with PW. These actions have
been taken following grounds to investigate:
• Repeated breaches of what has been agreed.
• A clear breakdown in process, transparency, and good faith. We have
invited Bond Group to meet with us to resolve matters. While we expect
some matters to be still contested, we await Mr Whittingham’s and the
Bond Group’s full response once they have sought legal advice. We
strongly recommend that Mr Cato or any party acting on his behalf to
seek immediate independent legal advice and full disclosure before
engaging further with Bond Group. Any attempt to acquire the club
without proper diligence may carry significant legal and reputational
risk.
Our Commitment
We remain fully committed to the long-term future of Morecambe FC, its
staff, supporters, and community. Our actions have always been guided by
the desire to protect the Club’s continuity and rebuild it on sound
financial and operational footing.
We understand how distressing and exhausting this situation has been for
fans and staff. We share your frustration — and we assure you that we
are doing everything possible to bring this matter to a fair and lawful
conclusion.
The Path Ahead
It is not our desire to see Morecambe FC enter administration. However,
if it becomes the only remaining route to stabilise the Club, protect
creditors, and prevent further damage from prolonged obstruction, there
is no alternative.
We also urge the National League and relevant football authorities to
fully review the legality and feasibility of any new proposed sale —
particularly considering the following:
• Ongoing legal proceedings to be commenced by PW.
• Outstanding financial obligations to PW and the Club.
• The grounds to investigate the serious questions around the governance and representations of Bond Group.
Final Note
As this matter continues, we encourage all parties — including supporters, sponsors, and governing bodies — to remain vigilant.
Panjab Warriors stands ready, willing, and able to complete the
acquisition of Morecambe FC in accordance with all legal and regulatory
requirements.