Football Season Guide

League 2

England

League 2

2024/2025

Morecambe

In

Harry Burgoyne (Goalkeeper, Shrewsbury Town); Adam Lewis (Defender, Liverpool); George Ray (Defender, AFC Barrow); Jamie Stott (Defender, AFC Halifax Town); Luke Hendrie (Defender, Bradford City); Max Taylor (Defender, Rochdale); Ross Millen (Defender, Raith Rovers); Callum Jones (Midfielder, Hull City, Season-long loan); Harvey Macadam (Midfielder, Fleetwood Town); Paul Lewis (Midfielder, Tranmere Rovers); Tom White (Midfielder, AFC Barrow); Ben Tollitt (Attacker, Oldham Athletic); Hallam Hope (Attacker, Oldham Athletic); Lee Angol (Attacker, Sutton United)

Out

Adam Smith (Goalkeeper, released); Archie Mair (sp) (Goalkeeper, Norwich City, Loan ended); Chris Stokes (Defender, released); Donald Love (sp) (Defender, Accrington Stanley); Farrend Rawson (r) (Defender, Accrington Stanley); Jacob Bedeau (r) (Defender, Notts County); Joel Senior (r) (Defender, Bristol Rovers); Max Melbourne (Defender, released); Oscar Threlkeld (Defender, Torquay United); Brandon Barker (sp) (Midfielder, released); Jake Taylor (sp) (Midfielder, released); Jacob Davenport (sp) (Midfielder, released); JJ McKiernan (r) (Midfielder, Lincoln City); Joe Adams (r) (Midfielder, Wigan Athletic, Loan ended); Nelson Khumbeni (r) (Midfielder, Bolton Wanderers, Loan ended); Cammy Smith (Attacker, released); Ged Garner (sp) (Attacker, Barrow, Loan ended); Jordy Hiwula (Attacker, released); Julian Larsson (Attacker, Nottingham Forest, Loan)

Morecambe remain a club in crisis as they prepare for another season under the ownership of Bond Group Investments. They purchased the club in 2018 and have been trying to sell it without success since 2022. The Shrimps find themselves in limbo and the day-to-day running of the club proved too challenging for Ged Brennan, who resigned as manager to return to Accrington Stanley at the end of last season. The team had finished in 15th place in the League Two table following relegation from League One the previous season. Derek Adams surprised everyone by resigning to return to former club Ross County in November and then returned for his third spell in charge of the club this summer. He does at least know the restrictions he’ll be working under and this was illustrated by the fact that only four players were under contract for next season when he rejoined in June. The club took the unusual step in July of announcing 15 players had signed contracts, again highlighting the unusual circumstances at Christie Way. Key players from last season that have moved on include defenders Farrend Rawson, Jacob Bedeau and Joel Senior and midfield playmaker JJ McKiernan. The most notable new arrival is arguably full-back Adam Lewis, who impressed whilst on loan at Newport County last season. Centre-back George Ray and midfielder Tom White have joined from Barrow whilst midfielders Harvey Macadam and Paul Lewis have signed from Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers respectively. The biggest weakness appears to be in attack with Ben Tollitt and Hallam Hope making the step up from National League Oldham Athletic. Lee Angol was relegated from the EFL with Sutton United having notched just scored just two league goals. Whether Adams will see the season out remains to be seen and the clubs Football League status feels in real jeopardy.

Target

Survival. The club is fighting for its very survival both on and off the pitch. Adams will be aiming higher but that will be very difficult under the current ownership.