Initially, this article was intended to explore why Morecambe Football Club’s recent developments might seem less like a revival and more like a temporary reprieve for some.

The narrative centers around a new ownership that many perceive as inexperienced, a young manager who some argue was selected more for his religious background than his credentials, and a tumultuous season marked by a string of crushing defeats.

Armed with troubling stories from insiders, I joined 45 dedicated Morecambe supporters on a trip to Boston on a chilly Tuesday night in autumn. I anticipated witnessing another setback for Ashvir Singh Johal and his beleaguered National League team, who languished at the bottom of the standings after conceding an astonishing 39 goals in just 13 matches.

One fan shared their concerns, saying, “You hear stories from inside the club, and they’re unsettling. We’re thankful to the Panjab Warriors for saving us from financial collapse, but it’s hard not to worry about the future, especially if we face relegation. They seem to be spending a significant amount of money. We even heard the team stayed in a hotel for this match, which seems extravagant.”

Another supporter recounted a recent journey to Truro City, describing it as a “20-hour round trip,” only to witness a demoralizing 5-0 defeat. Reflecting on a subsequent 2-0 loss in the FA Cup against a team from a lower division, he said, “The journey back from Chester felt even longer. It’s disheartening to realize this is our current reality.”

Panjab Warriors appeared to come to the rescue of Morecambe in August but recently there have been fears it was more a stay of execution

At 30 years of age, Ashvir Singh Johal is the youngest manager in the top five divisions and British football’s first Sikh boss 

But there are some curious tales about the quirky young manager’s methods

Much debate surrounds Singh Johal’s unwavering commitment to playing out from the back. As the youngest manager across the top five divisions and British football’s first Sikh head coach, the 30-year-old is criticized by some for sticking to an ultra-modern strategy without compromise.

‘I’ve heard the players get shouted at in training if they hit it long,’ said another fan. ‘Apparently, his qualification was that he worked with the kids at Notts County but then the new owners come in, immediately sack Derek Adams and give him the job. We’ve signed loads of players and some we’ve barely seen. The worry is that they just won’t sack him, regardless of results.’

Insiders had told me that the squad at Morecambe, admittedly put together in a hurry following the late-summer takeover, is so big that there is not enough room in the home dressing room for them at the training ground, with numbers north of 30. 

Despite the season being just two months old, and Morecambe starting from scratch, there is already thought to be a ‘bomb squad’ of outcasts. Some, loaned from clubs in higher divisions, have headed back to their parent clubs for training on the day of games after being informed they have not made the squad. 

It has won Morecambe few friends, and alienating bigger clubs is not a wise course of action for those at the other end of the pyramid. Despite the woeful performance in the league, the group includes plenty who have played at much higher levels. In 2018, Ipswich Town paid a reported £700,000 for winger Gwion Edwards. Striker Joe Nuttall was one of promoted Oldham Athletic’s highest earners until his contract expired in the summer. The side which starts against Boston is packed with EFL experience.

There are also some curious tales about the manager’s methods. One source said that he does not like players to use the main door of the team bus because he is not a fan of them walking past his seat at the front, so they have to use the middle door instead. A dressing-room insider disclosed that following Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Southend, Singh Johal told a rather bemused squad that should they play like that every week, then they will end the season in the play-offs.

His own comments in public, while refreshingly bold, do not appear to have helped his cause. Following a 4-4 draw at Solihull Moors in September, he stated: ‘It’s only going to get better, in a few weeks’, few months’ time we will have a really exciting team not just in this league – but we will have one of the best footballing teams in the country.’ Less than three weeks later they found themselves 4-0 down at home to Gateshead after just 12 minutes.

On the business side, there have also been some seemingly odd moves and there are concerns about where the money is coming from and what the play from the new owners, who appear to be largely Middlesex-based, actually is.

A quick selfie at Boston United’s Jakemans Community Stadium, during my 382-mile round trip with the Morecambe supporters

Morecambe’s players and fans celebrate the third goal in their thumping 4-0 win, scored by striker Joe Nuttall   

Nuttall is embraced by Morecambe keeper Jamal Blackman, formerly of Chelsea, at full time

In September, Morecambe dispensed with the services of their long-serving commercial manager. Currently, it is not known who is trying to tap into the goodwill factor and provide a key revenue stream for a club which you would imagine needs the cash.

But that the 105-year-old institution lives is thanks to Panjab Warriors’ intervention, and that they are even here to play a game of football is testament to the new owners.

The game starts and Boston United are immediately on the front foot. In the smart Ellenders Bar, named after former defender Paul, a home fan had told me over a pint of Windmill Bitter (the Pilgrim Pale Ale needed changing) that they play well against the good teams but poorly against the bad ones. There is little evidence of that as they exert their authority, with Morecambe struggling to get out of their own half and evade a swarm of yellow shirts.

The merry band of travellers are unmoved, although there is sniping when they attempt to play out from the back. ‘Side to side to side,’ bemoans one.

But this is football, and sometimes, often in the unlikeliest of places, football can be beautiful. Out of nowhere, with their first attack, Morecambe score. Midfielder Jack Cain, formerly of Swindon Town, drives home from 25 yards out. It is a crisp finish worthy of the Premier League. At first there is almost a stunned silence, before the 45 travelling fans react, jumping for joy on the six-stepped terrace.

The visitors visibly grow in confidence. They press and cajole and, with former Arsenal academy product Miguel Azeez pulling the strings in midfield, socks around his ankles, they dictate. On 39 minutes comes a goal of genuinely staggering quality when a series of one-touch passes creates havoc and space and Edwards slots in a rebound.

Half-time comes and goes and within 13 minutes of the restart it is a scarcely believable 4-0. Nuttall bundles home a viscous in-swinging corner at the far post and then casually slots a penalty into the bottom corner. ‘Johal in!’ jokes one wag.

Those who support lower-league clubs, who follow their local teams, who take precious time off work to finish early on a Tuesday before returning bleary-eyed the next morning after seven hours on a coach, live for moments like this.

Lower-league fans like the crew I was with, who take time off work and travel bleary-eyed across the country to support their team, live for moments like this 

Morecambe fans on the terraces sang club anthem Bring Me Sunshine and on a dark night in Lincolnshire, their players had done just that

Morecambe’s bunch are making the most of it. ‘We’re by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen,’ is the chant – and you feel they really believe what they are singing.

There is also humour. The attendance, including the number of away fans, is announced over the PA system – ’46, and we’re louder than you,’ is followed by ‘You’ve seen the Morecambe, now f*** off home’.

The home fans, who presumably (like this reporter) expected a different outcome, resort to taking the mickey out of their own team. 

‘We’ve had a shot,’ greets one wayward effort. ‘How s*** must you be? We’re winning away,’ is the response.

For those who are unaware, Morecambe play in red and black stripes and white shorts. They have a commanding centre half (on loan from Arsenal) who goes by the name of Maldini. 

It may not quite have been AC Milan, but this was a rout, delivered by some seriously good football.

Morecambe’s former owner Jason Whittingham (left) left the club in a dire state, much like he damaged Worcester Warriors

One chap turns to his pal and speaks for everyone. ‘I never saw this coming,’ he says, before asking if there is any room left on the minibus for Saturday’s match at Eastleigh.

Time played out to a chorus of club anthem, the Morecambe and Wise classic Bring Me Sunshine. On a dark night in Lincolnshire, their players had done just that. They had also lifted them off the bottom.

How the rest of the season plays out remains to be seen. Boston were dreadful, but you can only beat what is in front of you. The reservations will remain and it will take more than a rare away win (the club’s first since Boxing Day 2024) to change the narrative.

For now, however, none of that matters. This fixture was meant to be Morecambe’s first of the season. It was delayed because at the time they happened to be suspended from the National League thanks to their ongoing crisis. As they headed back to the coach for the long trip home, their hardy fans will be hoping that it did turn out to be the start, after all.