Statement by Momi

[Wild Bill]

Simple question. Where are the funds coming from to buy the cub and support it for a minimum of two years? I have yet to hear of a credible business this guy is involved with. I could have missed it but until it's obvious where the money is coming from, we should be very much against this deal.

[redrobo]

Whilst I welcome the statement of intent I have sincere reservations about the continued reliance on the Bond Group and in particular their intention to have influence on the current BoDs by the placement of 2 individuals as part of the current Board.

No mention of Jason in the statement and in particular his relationship with our club going forward.

If the intentions of the proposed new owner is genuine then excellent but words are cheap....but if the words are genuine then let's see them put into some positive action.

[Little Shrimp]

It's all well and good putting out this statement, but it's only come about because his name's been uncovered and put in the public eye over this past week. If that hadn't been the case, I doubt this statement would have been forthcoming.

Ultimately, it doesn't provide a huge amount of encouragement that it's taken the above to force a statement when the Trust have been urging for contact from prospective buyers for many months now.

What's more, it still doesn't answer the question of why passing the EFL regulations is taking so long. It's obviously not a quick/overnight process, but the length of time it's taken now raises red flags.

[CityShrimp]

It’s a step forward of sorts - we now know who the prospective buyer is, and he’s made contact but the statement doesn’t answer any of the important questions and doesn’t allay any concerns really.

[Strangeways Shrimp]

After reading the statement yesterday from Mr Moni via the club's website I like a lot of others was full of optimism that this could be the end of the saga and finally we may have found what we have been looking for, then reality kicks in via other posts on shrimps voices airing there concerns of the post, it's content and timing.
The Trust then release a statement that Mr Moni has not as yet replied to there request of dialogue.
It would be a godsend if we can get rid of JW, but it's the unknown of what Mr Moni and Co are really up to.
We all remain confused and optimistic.

[Billy bodger]

Mr Momi the Substance behind the statement missing! Is Berlin Waller correct in saying it is typical Whittingham tactics and nothing is changing.

Momi has to follow up on this statement otherwise the Martin Calladine report on the situation is ringing louder in Morecambe’s supporters ears. Still too many red flags, though if Mr Momi is more open I think the fans would be more receptive. CUT OUT THE SECRECY.

Yes the 1920 Union has to keep up the pressure, how on earth can their still be a hold up on submitting the papers to the EFL or are the EFL are finding it difficult for the paperwork to pass their governance tests?

[black morse]

Quite a few people are feeling very positive about this. I sincerely hope you're right but after all that's gone on so far and the link with Sarbjot (albeit that might be covered in the statement) I'm having difficulty getting excited about this at all.

Thank goodness most of us are realising that Mr M's statement is not all that it seems and that much more is required. Frying pan and fire spring to mind.

Message to Twittingham - It's going to take more than this to get the sale you want through!

[KenH]

Words are cheap. IF we see the words turn into action, then fair enough.

Until then, I think the Trust and 1920 protest group have to continue fighting.

I'd love to hear the personal thoughts from Rod and Graham about Momi rather than "corporate" speak in announcements.

[vvm]

Want to be positive but honestly don't believe a word of that statement.

[BerlinWaller]

Cracking statement from the ever impressive 1920Union.

https://x.com/The1920Union/status/18632 ... n4yuw&s=19

[black morse]

Cracking statement from the ever impressive 1920Union.

https://x.com/The1920Union/status/18632 ... n4yuw&s=19

Everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet

[Billy bodger]

The question was asked should the 1920 Union and the Shrimps Trust continue putting the pressure on Whitingham and Momi?

The 1920 union and the Shrimps Trust have since both put out statements, they both want a swift end to the sale of the Club and asked for the involvement of fans and for more substantial information on the pathway ahead instead of piecemeal statements aimed at keeping the supporters of the Club uninformed.

I wrote the following at 8:15am:-

“Yes the action should go on but it needs to be tailored to this new situation. The pressure on Jason needs to continue, until the EFL ratify the deal and Momi and his associates takeover the club I think it is very hard to start to trust him one bit, so the pressure on him has to continue.

On Momi, why has it taken him from August when he cut all ties with Sarbjot to come out with this statement? His secrecy of being the one who had agreed a sale with Jason has not sat well with me. It has been a sort of open secret that it was Momi who was the buyer and several including myself posted on his personnel wealth months ago. The feeling was when you looked at his own business’s and at the time his link with Sarbjot it was felt, as Martin Calladine says, hard to see how he had enough wealth to acquisition a football club!!

I am however now man enough to take his statement at face value and accept his explanation with his links to Sarbjot are well and truly over.

What I would like now is a fast conclusion to the submission to the EFL and for the club to change hands A.S.A.P.and we are then finally shut of the Bond Group ownership of the Club and the new chapter can begin.

Once the sale has gone through I then want and I think the Club and its loyal fans want some specifics on the road ahead, with a hard fast commitment to inject monies into the Club on both the playing side, the match day experience and the backing of the fantastic community work Morecambe FC does in the Town.

For me this can be achieved by the new owners treating the Club as a fantastic asset it is and the commitment to work with us it’s supporters because we are the heart beat of the Club.

For me that is the inclusion of the fans in decision making and that can be done by building in the relationship with the Shrimps Trust. For myself that does not happen unless a representative of the Shrimps Trust is on the BoD’s representing the fans at the top table.

We wait and see how Momi’s take over progresses but I hope it is not a false dawn and Momi (and his representatives), are true to the words in his statement and take the Club forward.”

Many others are posting similar sentiments, Momi has to follow through on his statement, otherwise nothing has changed.

We the fans are now more united than ever and we are singing from the same hymn sheet, we want the best for our Club and any new owner will not be allowed to take us for fools again, as past owners have done.

[Keith]

What's more, it still doesn't answer the question of why passing the EFL regulations is taking so long. It's obviously not a quick/overnight process, but the length of time it's taken now raises red flags.

I think it can be, nearly literally, 'overnight'. Wigan's take-over took a matter of a few days, but the seller, buyer & EFL all worked together with one aim, and with everything required, provided. I genuinely believe the EFL are going to do everything they can to avoid delays, as long as everything is provided, as required. Therefore, in my opinion, any delays will be down to the buyer, seller, or incomplete/inappropriate evidence being provided. Let's see what the next week delivers. Anything other than a sale will be 'concerning'.

But, if taken at face value, the statement is a step in the right direction.

[mrpotatohead]

I can't see any point in this statement ,they (jason and the supposed buyers) don't give a toss about what the fans think, and the only people they need to satisfy are the EFL.

The fact they want members on the board is hardly surprising,

Any new owner is going to be viewed with extreme scepticism and there is nothing anyone can do apart from wait and see what happens, if anything.

[Billy bodger]

Mr Momi said in his statement that he and his associates have put in several loan free sums of money since Oct 2023. So does this mean Sabjot Johal never put any money into the Club? That needs establishing.

This includes monies for Derek to enhance the playing staff in the January window. It therefore needs to be established what is happening to the monies the Club have won so far in Cup competitions?

The statement says that the Bond Group have agreed to appoint 2 new Board of Directors. The question is who will choose these directors, the Bond Group (the current owners), or Mr Momi?

In the vision for the future it states the proposed take over of the Club is moving forward, will the prospective new owners and the Bond Group give an estimation of how long the process is likely to take and will regular updates of its progress be announced?

[Billy bodger]

Follow on of unanswered questions.

Who are the associates of Mr Momi?

How many are there in their consortium?

Are they part of the overall bid, with injection of monies into the take over?

Is part of the hold up with submitting papers to the EFL because Mr Momi and his associates have oversees companies that need to be checked?

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

The addendum to Mr Momis statement, presumably penned by someone at the club reads as follows.

Morecambe Football Club recognises the financial support from Kuljeet and his associates and, in particular, we appreciate the availability of funds for Derek Adams to strengthen the playing squad in the upcoming transfer window and enable the opportunity to plan that window with confidence.

That does sound positive and presumably has been authorised by our current directors. Or is it more Corporate speak? January is just around the corner so we'll see won't we. Probably not the best time to strengthen a squad but we could do with a couple of quality additions if possible.

As for Mr Momis statement it remains as so much twaddle until he and his 'associates' pass the EFL's fit and proper persons tests.

[Old Man Kensey]

Despite completing this process by early July 2024, we later discovered that Mr Johal continued to register new companies at Companies House using my name without my knowledge or consent

This bit worries me. If that is the case shouldn't the police be investigating him? Isn't that fraud?

[black morse]

Despite completing this process by early July 2024, we later discovered that Mr Johal continued to register new companies at Companies House using my name without my knowledge or consent

This bit worries me. If that is the case shouldn't the police be investigating him? Isn't that fraud?

That's done it! everyone connected to this sale will be shaking in their boots now you've mentioned investigations by the police.

As well as half the people at Westminster

[Billy bodger]

What do people think of the announcement that the Bond Group have agreed to appointment two new Directors to represent Mr Momi and his associates investment in the Club?

What roll will the two new Directors have alongside Rod & Graham & our other BoD’s?

I understand Mr Momi wanting to have a say in running the Club and protect his investment, ultimately it may well help the take over of the Club from the Bond Group, it is what happens after they (if) take control of the Club as the new owners?

My worry is it may well be the beginning of the change of the guard?

The Club overall owe a debt of gratitude to Rod, Graham and our other BOD’s, they have not got everything right, but where would we have been without them?

For what its worth, you cannot just walk into the Club and run it, the Knowledge and Skills to run a football club have to be learned, so hopefully Rod, Graham and the other BOD’s stay at the Club, they will be needed, I have no doubt!!

[Keith]

I would expect ['hope'!] that any new owner, wanting to protect their investment, would want to work closely with the existing Board of Directors. If they are forced out, then I will have massive alarm bells ringing, as there would obviously be an ulterior motive.

Ideally, Momi's appointments would include a member of The Trust committee too, as representative of the fans, but that's probably a step too far! A couple of Momi's appointments with the existing Board makes sense.

[KenH]

What do people think of the announcement that the Bond Group have agreed to appointment two new Directors to represent Mr Momi and his associates investment in the Club?

What roll will the two new Directors have alongside Rod & Graham & our other BoD’s?

I understand Mr Momi wanting to have a say in running the Club and protect his investment, ultimately it may well help the take over of the Club from the Bond Group, it is what happens after they (if) take control of the Club as the new owners?

My worry is it may well be the beginning of the change of the guard?

The Club overall owe a debt of gratitude to Rod, Graham and our other BOD’s, they have not got everything right, but where would we have been without them?

For what its worth, you cannot just walk into the Club and run it, the Knowledge and Skills to run a football club have to be learned, so hopefully Rod, Graham and the other BOD’s stay at the Club, they will be needed, I have no doubt!!

I would imagine there'll be a transition period of a few years during which time the club will make appointments of managers to actually run the club, i.e. bolster the new general manager with a couple of other "managers" alongside. To take over the actual day to day tasks of running the club currently done by Graham and Rod over a fairly long period. The new directors will probably be "hands off" directors who oversee the company, may not even attend the club much, if at all, just dealing with the "top line" kind of things, i.e. approving budgets, managing the managers, legalities, etc., basically protecting the investment of the ultimate owners.

[black morse]

Presumably these 2 new directors will only join the BoD's when and if Momi manages to pass the EFL test.
If he is talking about them joining before that it would be a very dubious situation. If nothing has happened on the sale front by the New Year then it would be possible to repay Momi's interest free loans with the money raised from the Chelsea game.

[marky No.1]

If nothing has happened on the sale front by the New Year then it would be possible to repay Momi's interest free loans with the money raised from the Chelsea game.

Which square would that leave us back to?

[redrobo]

I could be totally wrong in this but it would appear that the Bond Group are going to have even more input than they do now by the possible appointment of 2 Directors.

I have always assumed that the Bond Group is in fact connected with Jason. So is it possible that he could still be lurking in the background having passed control of the financial aspects over to the 'new' owner(s).

Sounds to me as though it's a case of shuffling the chairs to fit the problem........but the problem has and could well be going forward still Jason......so nothing in effect could change as the Bond Group have and will be the financiers of our club.