Manager Ged Brannan has left the Mazuma Mobile Stadium to rejoin Accrington Stanley as Assistant Manager, after the compensation release clause in his contract was met.
Having previously represented the Shrimps as a player between 2005 and 2007, Brannan arrived for a second spell at the Club in September 2023 as First Team Coach and Senior Professional Development Coach under former manager Derek Adams.
Just over two months later, Adams departed for pastures new, making way for Brannan to step up into the hot seat.
In his first month in charge, he guided the Shrimps to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round following an impressive away win at League One side Wycombe Wanderers, which was then followed up by a 5-0 away win against Doncaster Rovers.
Despite losing all five loanees in the January window, our hot streak continued as we battled in and around the play offs until the final few games of the season. A memorable Easter weekend followed with two derby day wins over Stanley and Barrow AFC respectively as Brannan came within touching distance of achieving one of our highest League Two points totals.
Speaking on his departure, Brannan penned the following message:
“Firstly, I’d like to thank all involved with Morecambe Football Club, from the board to the players, the backroom staff, those working behind the scenes and the fans, for their support during my time at the Club.
“It was always a goal of mine to become a first team manager, so to be able to do that at a Club which I hold so close to my heart has been a dream come true.
“Leaving Morecambe has undoubtedly been the hardest decision of my life and one which wasn’t taken lightly, though I feel it is the right time for me and my family to step away.
“I mean every word when I say it truly saddens me to leave, though I don’t see a way in which I could continue given the current situation.
“To be up against what we have been with staffing issues, ownership challenges, the embargo, points deduction and late wages, I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved this season.
“In light of these challenges, what has become even more apparent to me over the past seven months is just how special this club is, with excellent support inside and out. The fans must stick together more than ever to keep pushing forward.
“I wish everyone involved with Morecambe all the very best moving forward, and I thank you once more for allowing me to manage this great football club.”
CEO Ben Sadler was keen to highlight his admiration for the job that Ged has done, saying: “I am bitterly disappointed that we find ourselves in a position where we are losing our second manager this season due to circumstances beyond our control.
“Ged is a good man, a top manager and will no doubt go on to do great things in his career. It has been a joy working with him this season and he has made so many positive contributions, Club wide, during his spell here.
“It is devastating to see what is happening at the moment, we continue to do our best to steer the ship through these choppy waters and to a better place, although it is becoming ever more difficult.
“I would like to take the opportunity once again to thank all of our staff, supporters, sponsors, the wider community and of course the Board of Directors for their ongoing hard work, commitment, passion and fight for the Club."
