The Shrimps skipper admits that the fans have been sorely missed in what has been a memorable season.
As the 2020/21 Sky Bet League Two campaign draws to a close, captain Sam Lavelle says the distant support from fans has benefited the team on the pitch.
The last time the Morecambe faithful graced the Mazuma Stadium was on 29 February 2020 in a 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra in front of a crowd of 2,872.
Despite a full campaign without a home crowd, Lavelle says the team are well aware of the support they’ve receiving.
“Yeah it’s been good. We still see the messages on Twitter and the videos and things like that they do off the pitch,” he said.
“It’s a shame, we look back at big games in the season where you think that’d have been perfect for the fans, but I think everyone would rather take us having no fans and being fourth in the league with one game to go!”
The former Scotland u-18 and u-19 international, who has made 51 appearances in all competitions this season, believes a strong home support can really help the team when they need it most.
Lavelle continued: “You see last season our home form was brilliant.
“It’s a bit cliché but they can drag the ball in for you, they can sing it in with the noise.
“Our ground is quite a closer, small ground so you feel the crowd’s energy and noise more so.”
Although there is no confirmed date for the return of League Two fans to stadiums, Morecambe’s number five believes having fans back will be significant for all involved.
“It’ll be massive,” Lavelle added.
“It will be, in a way, emotional really with it being such a long time without them.
“Everyone knows the connection between the players and the fans at this club is very good.
“We know a lot of the fans on their name basis which is also more personal so getting them back in will be massive for both parties.”
“It’s [the season] been really enjoyable, a shame the fans haven’t been there to enjoy it with us but yeah, it’s been some season.”