Adams hopeful of Morecambe takeover amid protest

Derek Adams is in his third spell as manager of Morecambe, with the club currently bottom of League Two

Morecambe boss Derek Adams says he is hopeful that a conclusion can be reached over their ownership, with a fan protest set to take place on Saturday.

The demonstration, organised by the Shrimps Trust fan group, will happen around the League Two fixture against leaders Port Vale.

The club was put up for sale by Jason Whittingham in September 2022 but they are yet to find new owners.

Asked by BBC Radio Lancashire if he has sympathy for the fans, Adams said: "We do. It's difficult because discussions are ongoing off the field.

"Not everything can come off the field out into the public domain and that's what everyone finds difficult. When you're working inside the football club that can be the same as well.

"It's been a long time. We get where everything is going, we're hopeful that a conclusion can come soon because that can benefit us hopefully off the field, we don't know. It can be a good thing or a bad thing, nobody knows."

It has been a tumultuous two years for the club off the field ever since The Bond Group, of which Whittingham is a controlling shareholder, put the club up for sale.

Morecambe were relegated from League One later that season in 2023 and had been in negotiations with entrepreneur Sarbjot Johal over a possible takeover, but nothing came of that interest.

World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who lives in the town, also previously suggested he could take over the club.

Meanwhile Morecambe's directors wrote an open letter to the owners earlier this year calling on them to sell the club while former captain Farrend Rawson also urged them to sell after they were deducted three points last season.

Adams, who is in his third spell as manager in five years, admitted that the situation had previously led to him leaving the Shrimps.

"When I was here the last time, it did affect me. It affected me off the field personally," he added.

"I didn't let that come out but it did and that was part of the choice that I made to move away because I knew what was going on in the background.

"This time I've come back and asked not to be told anything until there's a conclusion to the matter.

"That is important because then I can focus on what I can deal with and that's what I've tried to do this season."