The Shrimps Trust wishes publicly to pay tribute to the contribution made to Morecambe FC by outgoing chairman, Peter McGuigan.

Mr McGuigan, who announced he was stepping down from his roles at MFC this week, served for 22 years as a director of the club, the last 18 also as chairman.

During Peter’s time at the club, The Shrimps secured promotion from the old Northern Premier League to the Conference and, of course, subsequently to the Football League in 2007.

Shortly after promotion to League Two, Peter oversaw the sale of Christie Park and the move to the purpose-built Globe Arena. It was an era of constant progression, currently the most successful in the history of Morecambe Football Club, with which Peter’s name will always be associated.

On behalf of all Morecambe fans, The Trust places on record its thanks to Peter for his stewardship during those upwardly mobile years for The Shrimps.

It is fair to say the past few years have been less progressive, with a series of off-field issues bringing unwanted negative publicity to the proud name of Morecambe FC. Indeed, the turmoil was the driving reason for the creation of The Shrimps Trust, with fans seriously concerned about the long-term future of the club.

In his resignation statement, Peter said he felt it was the right time for him to step down and, in doing so, assured fans he was leaving the club in secure hands and in a stable financial situation, under new owners, The Bond Investment Group. He said he was confident the club was now in a strong position to move forward.

Before Peter’s resignation, the Shrimps Trust had sought clarification from the board on the current position with regards to directorial changes, following the recent resignations of David Brockbank and Michael Hinchcliffe, with whom fans’ representatives had enjoyed positive and open dialogue.

The Trust is continuing to seek information about board restructuring and future plans, including the appointment of a new chairman and new board members. We note with interest the owners’ commitment to provide such information after restructuring, due to be discussed and resolved at the next board meeting.

The Trust is also seeking clarification on the board’s policy as regards the recently publicised intention to appoint a ‘director of football’, a development Trust members and fans have overwhelmingly opposed as inappropriate for Morecambe FC.

To date, we have had no response to that approach but will, as ever, update fans on any feedback we receive on all those issues as soon as we receive such.

As always, we are happy to hear from any Morecambe fans and will raise with the board any other concerns or ask any relevant, reasonable questions on your behalf.

You can contact Trust committee members in JB’s Bar at every home game or by using the contact details on our website.