“They are working on that so that we can try to bring in a player or two”: Jim Bentley waits for Morecambe embargo to be lifted

National League clubs have until 5pm on Thursday, March 26 – a month before the end of the regular season on April 25 – to add fresh faces.

Having returned for a second spell as Shrimps manager at the start of February, Bentley has added Kyle Jameson and Liam Hogan in addition to Daniel Ogwuru’s return from a loan spell at Workington.

He had been given the green light to make further signings by the owners, Panjab Warriors, as the club aims to avoid a third relegation in four seasons and the prospect of playing regionalised football for the 2026/27 campaign.

That, however, was before confirmation last week that the club was operating under a National League embargo for reported non-compliance with league financial regulations.

The embargo prevents Morecambe from making new signings or changing the terms of an existing loan, except where the terms of that embargo allow.

Morecambe had said last week that the matter stems from a disputed payment in relation to Bond Group Investments, who sold the club to Panjab Warriors last summer.

Asked on Thursday morning what the latest situation is, Bentley said: “It’s not my department, I’m just getting on with the job in hand.

“The players are doing well at the minute but, hopefully, this situation is put to bed as soon as possible.

“It’s with the club solicitors. I’ve always said that mistakes have been made because the owners are new to owning a football club and they’re learning on the job.

“It would have been nice for them to have come in during the close season with a clean slate but they have been thrust in.

“I did say there’s been a bit of a mess left by the previous owner – and that’s one of the things that can happen – but it’s not just that mess, it’s the knock-on effect.

“They are working on that so that we can try to bring in a player or two, but time is ticking away.”