Morecambe's retained list remains in limbo

Morecambe boss Derek Adams has explained that uncertainty over this season and next season is behind the club’s lack of a retained list.
Alex Kenyon and Steve Old are two of the Morecambe players whose deals expire at the end of the seasonAlex Kenyon and Steve Old are two of the Morecambe players whose deals expire at the end of the season
Alex Kenyon and Steve Old are two of the Morecambe players whose deals expire at the end of the season

Usually by now, the Shrimps would have issued the list of players to whom they would be offering new deals – and those who were free to seek pastures new.

However, the coronavirus pandemic which brought society to a standstill has also impacted upon squad building for the 2020/21 campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Premier League and Championship might have signalled their intention to resume matches this month with a proposed finishing date of late July.

However, the situation lower down the pyramid has still to be resolved.

League Two clubs have voted to end their season but League One teams are still to agree their future.

It all means that, as well as not knowing when the 2019/20 season ends, a lot of clubs are unable to properly plan ahead given the lack of a start date for the following campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adams said: “When we do a retained list, we have to offer players a contract in writing with a monetary offer and length of contract.

“We aren’t in a position to do that at this moment in time.

“That’s the situation with many clubs because we don’t know when next season is going to start or how this season is going to finish.”

Though some other clubs have issued retained lists, Morecambe’s situation is especially tricky.

Including goalkeeping coach Barry Roche, they have 17 senior players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the current season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adams said: “The way I look at it is it’s all about money – the money the Premier League clubs are going to miss out on from TV if the season doesn’t conclude.

“That filters out. League Two clubs have stated they don’t want the season to continue because they can’t afford the testing.

“Most of the squads are on furlough so they are protected by the government for loss of earnings so if they were to go back, then there would be that issue to address as well.”