No room for complacency as Morecambe get set to kick off their National League North season
Morecambe kick off the new National League North season on Saturday.
Adam Lakeland has spelled out what Morecambe fans should expect as they prepare for the start of the season on Saturday.
Three relegations in four seasons leave the Shrimps in National League North, making their return to regionalised football after three decades away.
Lakeland’s new-look squad begins the new campaign with a home match against a Spennymoor Town team which finished 10th last time out.
It will be the first time that some Morecambe supporters have gone into a season with the Shrimps cast as one of the promotion favourites.
Nevertheless, Lakeland has a word of warning for anyone thinking this season will be a straightforward march to the title and an immediate return to non-league’s top flight.
He said: “We’ve had a lot of change; new management team, all new staff, virtually a whole new squad, new training ground, new kit.
“Everything's new so I think the players have just kept their heads down and got on with it really.
“We’ve got to continue to do that and keep building to be better.
“I’ve no doubt that this place will be rocking next Saturday.
“We’ve got a full week of preparation for that game. It’s going to be a difficult game.
“One thing I can guarantee every supporter and every one of my players is every game is going to be hard for us; every single game.
“Spennymoor, they’re a good team. They’ve got some good players, they’re a very established team at this level of football and it’s going to be a tough game.
“Every single game after that will be the same, home or away. The biggest clubs in the league, some of the lesser-known teams in the league, every single game for us is going to be difficult.
“We’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for that and I’ve no doubt that we will be.”
Morecambe have also confirmed that Will Smith will be their new captain with Liam Hogan his deputy.