Morecambe's chief operating officer Steve Dewsnip has detailed the club's off-field restructuring and plans to drive new revenue. In an interview reported by www.google.com this week, Dewsnip explained the financial realities facing the Shrimps in the National League North, where they currently sit 24th with just one point from four games.
Why have staff left Morecambe recently?
A number of behind-the-scenes staff have departed the Halo Aerospace Stadium over the last year. Steve Dewsnip clarified that this was a necessary adjustment after the club's relegation from the Football League. "We've had to cut our cloth accordingly," he stated, noting that the club's overheads were simply too high for its current level. The infrastructure in some areas still reflected a League One or League Two setup, but the revenue available in the National League North is significantly less.
Gate receipts are down and the attraction for some sponsors is not as strong at this level. Dewsnip emphasized that nobody was forced out. Some staff were on fixed-term contracts and were offered alternative or reduced terms, while one or two roles were combined. Other departures came from natural wastage, with some individuals deciding to leave at the start of the summer and more recently.
How is the club addressing its financial situation?
The core issue, according to Dewsnip, is a historic lack of income. "One of the things that struck me about this football club early on is there wasn’t enough revenue coming in," he said. Morecambe has been losing money year on year for as long as anyone can remember, struggling to break even. The playing budget has been cut significantly from what it was one or two years ago.
Despite this, the football operation has seen investment. "We’ve managed to, we think, improve the football staff, we feel we’ve improved the playing squad on reduced numbers," Dewsnip explained. The club has attracted some great players and is competing against often part-time ventures, but the decision was made to remain a full-time professional outfit.
What are the owners' plans for the future?
The senior management and owners, the Panjab Warriors, have what Dewsnip describes as exciting plans for both on and off the pitch. Director Kuljit Singh Momi and the ownership group are committed to improving the stadium, with upgrades aimed at creating a more exciting user experience for visitors.
A major focus is on driving commercial income. The club needs to attract more people through the door and has plans to completely relaunch its hospitality and events business, something that has been planned for some time. The owners want to make Morecambe a successful business and offer more to the local public than before, a vision they held from before they got the keys.
What does this mean for the season ahead?
The immediate challenge is stark. Morecambe's league position of 24th, with a record of zero wins, one draw, and three losses, underscores the difficulty of the task. They have scored just two goals while conceding five, leaving them with a negative three goal difference. They already find themselves 11 points behind league leaders Chester in the title race.
The next opportunity to turn things around comes in their next fixture, an away match against 9th-placed Chorley on December 26th. You can follow that match and the rest of the season's schedule on our fixtures page. Improving results on the pitch will be vital to support the off-field commercial drive and attract the larger crowds the club needs.
Fans can track the team's progress in the standings as the season develops. The club's ability to execute its new commercial strategy while navigating a tough start on the field will define this chapter for Morecambe.
