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Morecambe FC fans meet with potential new owner to "raise concerns"

Sarbjot Johal. PHOTO CREDIT: Handout - Entrepreneur India.

A Morecambe supporters group said they have met with a businessman who wants to buy the club to raise their "concerns".

The Shrimps Trust met with Sarbjot Johal, who is aiming to take over the football club, on Monday.

This followed concerns raised by other sources over the financial viability of the drinks entrepreneur's possible buy-out of the League One club.

Mr Johal has already bought equity in the club, which has been up for sale since autumn 2022.

He is currently awaiting the result of checks by the English Football League (EFL) before he looks to complete his takeover of the Shrimps.

Representatives of the supporters' trust also met with Saidi Kawooya, also from Mr Johal's investment company Sarb Capital, and current Shrimps owner Jason Whittingham.

"During the meeting, we were able to raise some of the concerns that have arisen over the last few weeks," said a statement from the Shrimps Trust.

"Sarbjot was keen to impress upon us that the financial position and performance of the trading entities within the Sarb Capital group are vastly changed from the financial statements currently on public record at Companies House.

"Whilst no further evidence was provided in the meeting, in our discussions it was mutually understood that the evidence to support the financial viability of the takeover will be provided to the EFL, who will perform the appropriate due diligence through the EFL Owners and Directors Test.

"We understand Sarb Capital have already invested an amount of equity into the club and their intention would be to invest further equity through share issue.

"As part of the due diligence process, we would expect the EFL to clarify the source of the investment funds given that this information is not publicly evident from the results of Sarb Capital, its group and associated companies.

"Sarbjot told us of his ambitions for the club, subject to approval from the EFL, which are aspiring and would involve significant investment both on the pitch and off it.

"Sarbjot is keen to maintain a close relationship with supporters if his application is successful, and build on our community foundations.

"Our understanding is that the process is now with the EFL and the Trust look forward to a diligent and decisive response in due course. While we await further information after a constructive meeting, the Trust is in continued close dialogue with the Football Supporters' Association."

The Shrimps Trust was officially set up in 2017 as a voice for Morecambe supporters.

Its formation came around the time of a series of behind-the-scene crises surrounding the ownership of the club in 2016 and 2017.

Mr Johal has been a guest of the club at a number of the Shrimps' home games recently.

He is the founder of Vitanic Holdings Limited, a non-alcoholic beverage company based in Birmingham.

In September, Morecambe FC announced that Jason Whittingham of Bond Group Investments and Colin Goldring were stepping back from their positions on the board of directors, as the club was being prepared to be sold.

Bond Group Investments have owned the club since 2018.

The EFL and Sarb Capital are yet to make any comment.

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