Morecambe

Morecambe
Morecambe boss Jim Harvey has released goalkeeper Adam Sollitt, midfielder Lee Elam and striker Nick Rogan after the Shrimps missed out on the play-offs. Midfielder Gary Thompson, full-back Jamie Heard and goalkeeper Ryan Robinson, 22, have agreed new deals. The departure of Elam, 28, brings an end to a second spell at Morecambe. Sollitt, 27, signed last year but lost his first-team place to Robinson in February, while Rogan, 21, leaves after playing a handful of games this season.

Kempson agrees new Shrimps deal
Morecambe defender Darran Kempson has signed a new contract at Christie Park. The 20-year-old centre-back has agreed a 12-month deal with Jim Harvey's side to follow Jamie Heard and Ryan Robinson in accepting fresh terms. Kempson joined the Shrimps on loan from Championship side Preston North End at the end of December. The move was made permanent two months later with Kempson playing 19 Conference games to help Morecambe to the fringe of the play-offs.

Swan swaps Shrimps for Lancaster
Morecambe defender Iain Swan has left Christie Park to join neighbours Lancaster City. Swan joins the Conference North side after spending the last three seasons with the Shrimps. The 25-year-old central defender started almost 100 games for Morecambe after signing from Leigh RMI. However, the arrival of Darran Kempson in January limited Swan's starting appearances and the ex-Oldham man hopes for regular games at the Giant Axe.

Conference increases loan quotas
The Conference has increased the number of loan players clubs can use next season after the enforced introduction of the transfer window system. Clubs can register four short-term and four long-term loan players and can play five loan players in a game. Clubs can also sign a keeper for a minimum period of seven days outside the transfer window if they do not have a registered keeper available. The changes are being brought in to soften the blow of the transfer window.

Conference LDV entrants confirmed
The Football League has confirmed the 12 Conference teams that will take part in this season's LDV Vans Trophy. Relegated pair Kidderminster and Cambridge are joined by the teams who finished 12th or higher in last season's Conference National table. The other invited sides are Accrington, Aldershot, Crawley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter, Halifax, Hereford, Morecambe, Stevenage and Woking. The first round will take place in the week commencing 17 October.

Curtis extends Morecambe contract
Morecambe striker Wayne Curtis has agreed a new contract to stay at Christie Park. The 25-year-old has signed a two-year deal to hand manager Jim Harvey a major boost ahead of the new season. Curtis has scored 50 goals in 124 Conference games for the Shrimps, who last season rejected a bid from Rochdale for the Barrow-born player. "I am pleased to be part of the manager's plans and cannot wait for the new season to kick-off," said Curtis.

Conference fixtures are announced
Cambridge United's first Conference game, following their relegation from the Football League, will be away at Forest Green Rovers on 13 August. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers start life outside the League with a home game against Woking. Conference newcomers Altrincham, Grays and Southport have all been handed ties away from home on the opening day. Grays visit Burton Albion, Southport travel to Dagenham & Redbridge while Altrincham go to Stevenage Borough. All the Conference fixtures As is customary, Boxing Day features a number of "derbies" - such as York v Scarborough - with the return fixtures on 2 January. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Conference opening day fixtures (Saturday, 13 August): Accrington Stanley v Canvey Island Aldershot Town v Tamworth Burton Albion v Grays Athletic Dagenham & Redbridge v Southport Forest Green Rovers v Cambridge United Gravesend & Northfleet v Exeter City Hereford United v Scarborough Kidderminster Harriers v Woking Morecambe v Halifax Town Stevenage Borough v Altrincham York City v Crawley Town Tuesday, 16 August Altrincham v Accrington Stanley Cambridge United v Hereford United Canvey Island v Aldershot Town Crawley Town v Dagenham & Redbridge Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers Grays Athletic v Gravesend & Northfleet Halifax Town v Burton Albion Scarborough v Morecambe Southport v York City Tamworth v Forest Green Rovers Woking v Stevenage Borough

Harvey delight over Shrimps start
Morecambe boss Jim Harvey is thrilled with his side's flying start to the season after they made it two wins out of two with a 1-0 win at Scarborough. "We played some decent football, particularly in the second half, and we were solid in defence - six points is very welcome," said Harvey. "At this stage you want to get points on the board as soon as you possibly can, so it's been a super start. ¿Last season we had only two points after four games so this is very good."

Exeter 2-0 Morecambe
Exeter continued to set the early pace in the Conference as they kept up their 100% record with a win over Morecambe. Lee Phillips gave the home side the lead when he powered in a left-footed drive from close range for his third goal of the season. Chris Todd added a second just after the half-hour mark when Jon Challinor's long throw caused confusion in the Morecambe defence. Todd capitalised and pounced to lash home from just in front of goal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exeter: Paul Jones, Hiley, Billy Jones, Gaia (Vinnicombe 66), Todd, Challinor (Flack 82), Cronin, Buckle, Edwards (Taylor 55), Farrell, Phillips. Subs Not Used: Rice, Mackie. Booked: Todd. Goals: Phillips 24, Todd 33. Morecambe: Robinson, Blackburn, Bentley, Kempson, Howard (Stringfellow 82), Heard (Carlton 35), Hunter, Perkins, Curtis, Thompson (Walmsley 74), Twiss. Subs Not Used: Ruffer, Davies. Booked: Howard. Att: 3,978 Ref: A Hendley (West Midlands).

Altrincham 2-0 Morecambe
Altrincham notched their second win in three days with victory over Morecambe. Morecambe offered little, a long-range drive by Garry Thompson in the first half proving a rare threat. Colin Little opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a left-footed drive from the edge of the box after good work on the flank from Colin Potts. Little then turned provider and his cross from the left was neatly tucked into the bottom corner by strike partner Potts.

Morecambe 5-2 Aldershot
Morecambe maintained their unbeaten home record with a crushing victory. They went ahead when Chris Blackburn's cross was steered in by Wayne Curtis, although Greg Heald soon flicked in an equaliser following a corner. Michael Twiss then crossed for Sean O'Connor to net for Morecambe, but Chris McPhee levelled before the break. But the Shrimps took control in the second half as Twiss headed in Garry Thompson's cross, Danny Carlton made it 4-2 and Twiss added his second late on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morecambe: Robinson, Blackburn, Kempson, Bentley, Howard (Stringfellow 66), Thompson, Hunter, Perkins, Curtis (Dodgson 85), Twiss, O'Connor (Carlton 60). Subs Not Used: Kelly, Walmsley. Booked: Kempson, Carlton. Goals: Curtis 26, O'Connor 45, Twiss 48, Carlton 80, Twiss 84. Aldershot: Bull, Mustafa, Guyett, Heald, Hamilton, Nick Crittenden (Sulaimani 60), Watson, Somner, Williams, Sills, McPhee, Brough (Gearing 82), Sulaimani (Brough 71). Subs Not Used: Scott, Weait. Booked: Somner, Sills. Goals: Heald 32, McPhee 45. Att: 1,429 Ref: P Varley (England).

Southport fail in Ruffer loan bid
Southport manager Liam Watson has failed in a loan move for Morecambe defender Carl Ruffer. But Watson has been backed by chairman Charlie Clapham in his bid to strengthen his injury-hit squad. "I have been open about talking to Morecambe regarding Carl, but that immediate loan move was not possible," Watson told his club's website. "I have identified two other players. But clubs are not enthusiastic in allowing their best players to move."

Shrimps part company with Heard
Morecambe have parted company with defender Jamie Heard. Heard's contract with the Shrimps at Christie Park has been cancelled by mutual consent. The 22-year-old right-back joined Morecambe in September last year after helping Chester City win the Conference title the previous season. Ex-Hull City player Heard agreed a new deal in the summer, but leaves after making six appearances this season and 36 in all for Jim Harvey's side.

Shrimps extend Drench's loan stay
Morecambe have extended the loan stay of Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Steven Drench for a second month. Drench, 20, has started three games for the Conference promotion hopefuls since moving to Christie Park to cover for the injured Ryan Robinson. Robinson is closing on a return to full fitness following a leg injury and is expected to train with former club Blackburn to complete his preparation. The Shrimps also hope to extend Bury defender John Hardiker's loan spell.

Redfearn hails win at Morecambe
Scarborough boss Neil Redfearn is delighted with his side's progress after a stunning 3-0 win at Morecambe eased their relegation fears. He said: "As away performances go, you can't get much better. We could have scored more but the thing that pleased me most was that we didn't concede. "If anyone said we would get six points from the three away games we've just had I'd have snapped their hand off. "It's a great fillip for the boys but we have got two tough home games now."

View Full Version: Morecambe