Football Season Guide

Two hugely significant moments in the history of Morecambe have come in the past two months and it will be hoped that they will bring some encouragement for the future. The side went into their final day trip to Coventry City knowing defeat could mean relegation from the Football League. They held on to claim a goal-less draw at the Ricoh Arena to huge relief as they stayed up on goal difference, which was just four better than rivals Barnet. Having survived by the skin of their teeth, the club has since been taken over by Bond Group Investments with new owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham promising to clear the bank overdraft and all significant debts in full. It should come as a huge relief to manager Jim Bentley following two seasons of turmoil off the pitch. Bentley has become the longest serving manager in English football this summer, following the departures of Arsene Wenger and Paul Tisdale from Arsenal and Exeter City respectively. He has performed minor miracles to keep the Shrimps in the Football League since taking over the reigns at the Globe Arena in May 2011. He usually loses his best players every summer but this time it has been different. Full-back Aaron McGowan has rejected the offer of a new deal and is expected to leave but he is the exception. Some will have been surprised at Bentley’s decision to allow influential midfielder Michael Rose to leave the club. The capture of experienced midfielder Andrew Tutte from Bury looks to be a shrewd one whilst Bentley has taken a hat-trick of gambles on defender James Sinclair, midfielder Lamin Jagne and striker Jason Oswell. With the lowest average attendances in League Two last season, Bentley will be working against the odds once again.