Sadly the sun isn't shining down on Morecambe FC at the moment, the birthplace of British comedy legend Eric Morecambe.
The Lancashire club, who find themselves rooted to the bottom of League 2 with off-field issues compounding their current predicament, was the destination for one of us behind Proper Football on Saturday afternoon for their game against table toppers, high-flying Port Vale.
It was an early start from South London to make the 300-mile trip up to the home of The Shrimps Mazuma Mobile Stadium.
After meeting up with 6 other mates at Euston train station who were also taking advantage of the International break to tick off a new ground we boarded the 9:26 am train up to Lancaster before jumping on another train to Morecambe.
The first thing on the agenda was to visit the statue of Eric Morecambe, real name John Eric Bartholomew of Morecambe and Wise fame for the obligatory photo for any away supporter visiting the town.
The next port of call was the nearest pub, and we plotted up outside the King's Arms. To say it was fresh would be an understatement for us so-called Southern softies with the wind blowing straight at us from Morecambe Bay. 🥶
The pub and the town were swamped with Punks with a mix of Mohicans and Pink and Green hair with an array of body piercings which appeared to be the latest fashion and a flashback to the 1970s, only for us to realise it was the Morecambe Punk Festival weekend after being informed by the friendly locals!
A few Port Vale fans were now arriving at the pub and a friendly fella struck up a conversation with us;
"You Morecambe fans, lads"?
"No, we're a mix of Palace and Chelsea"
"Eh? What are you doing up here? 😂"
After discussing how well Vale was playing this season under the stewardship of Darren Moore, we said our goodbyes and took shelter out of the freezing Antarctic-like wind (albeit some of the locals weren't even wearing coats! And we moved to the Wetherspoons in the town in the aptly named 'The Eric Bartholomew' to defrost and sink a few more pints before kick-off.
Intrigued by the current situation at the club a Morecambe fan explained to us that there was going to be a protest at the match.
The club's owner, Jason Whittingham, has been looking for a buyer since putting Morecambe FC up for sale more than two years ago, and in that time, the club, which is currently bottom of the Football League, has faced a points deduction, a relegation and a transfer embargo and the fans have grown increasingly unhappy with both the lack of communication from the owner and the time it's taking for a takeover deal to be done all whilst the club are facing the unthinkable of dropping out of the League.
Kick-off was looming, so we drank up and started the 20-minute walk to the ground, and the fresh wind was now accompanied by driving rain! The welcome sight of the impressive entrance at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium was a relief to see with what felt like hyperthermia starting to set in. 😂
Unfortunately, we missed the pre-match march to the ground in protest at the owner, which also included some Port Vale fans who joined in to show support. 👏🏼
Food was now on the agenda, and the reasonably priced menu with plenty of choices in the Family stand, where we had paid a £25 entrance fee, was the first port of call.
A meat and potato pie with peas, mash and gravy was ordered and served by the friendly and efficient staff, ready to warm me up and soak up all the pre-match beers and to soon be demolished in my seat!
My first impression of the ground was a pleasant surprise: terraced stands at either end of the ground, one packed out with an impressive 1,389 following from Port Vale, including some in the big seated stands we were in on the side.
At the opposite end was the Morecambe faithful who were creating a brilliant atmosphere from the off and continued to do so for the whole match.
The seated stand we were in was also busy, and it was great to see many youngsters in attendance.
The stands and terraces were awash with placards and banners along with black balloons in a display of displeasure at the owners.
And on the 26th minute, which represented the 26 months the club has been up for sale, fans turned their backs to the pitch for two minutes, holding up for sale signs.
Chants of "Get out of our club" echoed around the ground which was then replicated by the Vale following singing "Get out of their Club" 👏🏼
As for the match itself, in the first half it was a close affair and you wouldn't have thought it was top vs bottom, both sides had chances but nothing to write home about, the second half saw the Shrimps start the stronger and the home side had the ball in the back of the net which was chalked off for offside and it looked like a close call from where we were sitting, as the game neared the end you just had that feeling that Vale would nick it and they did just that from a corner in the 83rd minute sending the away end into pandemonium!
Sadly we had to leave just before the full-time whistle to make it back to the station to catch our connecting train back to London, but all in all, it was a great day out, ticking off a new ground, meeting some great people and a day on the Sauce with your mates.
Massive shout out to both the Morecambe fans, who continued to back the players on the pitch throughout, and to the Port Vale contingent, who travelled in numbers and joined in with the protests.
Bring Me Sunshine?
Well, it's safe to say we didn't see much of it but if reports are led to be believed the owner has said he'd agreed terms with a potential buyer soon after talks began back in July but the UK-based buyer wishes to remain anonymous while they work closely with the English Football League to complete the deal.
Whittingham reiterated his desire to sell and said while there's a willingness on all sides to get a deal done, just like the fans, there's frustration at the time it's taking.
Maybe there is a ray of sunshine, but time will tell, and we hope, in the words of Morecambe and Wise's famous song, there is a bright tomorrow.
Bring me sunshine
In your smile
Bring me laughter
All the while
In this world where we live
There should be more happiness
So much joy you can give
To each brand new bright tomorrow.
Make me happy
Through the years
Never bring me
Any tears
Let your arms be as warm
As the sun from up above
Bring me fun
Bring me sunshine
Bring me love!
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