The club is saddened to hear about the death of former Assistant Manager, Director and Head of Youth, Dickie Danson.
Dickie had a huge impact on football locally as a player and as a coach.
He was instrumental in creating the Shrimps’ youth development programme in partnership with Lancaster & Morecambe College which produced a string of players including Danny Carlton, Dave Perkins and Garry Thompson. He was also heavily involved in founding the club’s EPPP programme in 2012.
As well as his work at Morecambe FC, he has served Lancaster City with distinction, managing the Dolly Blues between 1982 and 1991.
Dickie was appointed manager of Morecambe Reserves in September 1991 and was the Shrimps' caretaker manager before Leighton James was appointed in December 1993.
He had a spell as assistant manager to Jim Harvey before joining the Board of Directors and leading the youth set-up.
He is also well known for managing the Lancaster junior football team in the Youth Games.
As a player Dickie was a junior with Preston North End and moved into the local leagues playing for clubs including Galgate, Trimpell, Lansil and Storeys.
He also played for Morecambe Reserves and Lancaster City.
Shrimps’ Co-Chairman, Rod Taylor, said: "All of us at the Mazuma Stadium are saddened by the news that Richard (Dickie) Danson has passed away.
"Dickie's involvement at Christie Park began after coming to us from PNE in 1956 at the age of 15 years. He figured massively playing in the local football scene over the next 15 years or so. From 1982 until 1990 he found himself "over the river" managing our neighbours, the "Dolly Blues".
"Dickie has been a stalwart of the Shrimps since returning to the club as reserve team manager in 1991, becoming Caretaker Manager after Manager Bryan Griffiths departed the Shrimps at the end of 1993 and then Jim Harvey's assistant when we were promoted to the GM Vauxhall Conference in 1996. Following that he joined the Morecambe Board of Directors as Director of Football.
"For me, a massive part of this football legend's legacy has been the development of youth players. From the start of our "academy", in conjunction with Lancaster and Morecambe College in the 1990s, scouting and developing such players as David Perkins, Scott Davies, Garry Thompson, Ryan-Zico Black, John Hardiker, Danny Carlton, Jonathan Smith, Michael Knowles, Michael Strinfellow, the list goes on and on.
"Dickie was then instrumental in the formation of the club’s current Academy set-up, starting out as a Category 4 outfit and now operating as a Category 3. Always looking to the future, always developing talent.
"I knew Dickie as a friend and a colleague, enjoying family celebrations with his wife Val and his family.
"One of my most proud and memorable occasions with him was at the Leyland headquarters of the Lancashire Football Association when he was presented with an FA medal to commemorate 50 plus years in football. His beaming smile lit the room up that night and I think everyone there knew him and had the utmost respect for him.
"Richard Danson was a loving and doting family man, a very close family with his dear wife Val, children Harvey and Amanda, son-in-law Andrew and daughter-in-law Jane, grandchildren Joe, Emily, Matthew and Alex.
"He was your archetypal football man. He lived and breathed the game, gave it his all and was well respected within it.
"As a person he was one of those people that you rarely meet in life, always the same demeanour (off the park!), consistent in his outlook and always cheerful. A true gentleman. I have been privileged and proud to know him, work with him and class him as a true friend.
"RIP Richard.''