Morecambe FC 2003 - 2004 Season preview

Pic by Ian Lyons

Michael Gibson reports the Shrimps chances of glory in the coming months...

How can last season possibly be bettered? That's the huge task facing manager Jim Harvey and his players as the new season approaches. It is worth reminding ourselves of a selection of the smorgasbord of football experiences served up last year - a last minute winner in the FA Cup to beat 2^nd division Chesterfield; 19,000 at Ipswich in the 3^rd round with 1,500 from Morecambe; six goals in the second half against Woking; 2,500 at Giant Axe for the local derby in the FA Trophy; Morecambe's highest ever placing in its football history; the full range of emotions during the play-offs in front of a capacity 5,000 home supporters; and most importantly of all fast-flowing exhilarating football. Top that.

The signs didn't look good as the season ended. Exciting winger Lee Elam walked out, super striker Robbie Talbot left for Burton needing a 'new start' and there was continuous speculation over a number of leading players leaving with a series of bids from Morecambe's rivals. Such activity and the lingering feelings from the play-off defeat would have undermined the spirit of many clubs yet Morecambe have positively thrived on it.

Fans, manager and board celebrate as the third round draw is announced and the Shrimps are drawn against Ipswich. Photo: Brian Sheldon

Manager Jim Harvey is now in his tenth year at the club and is one of the longest-serving managers in British football. He shares a clear vision of the football club he wants to see and sticks to it with the board at Morecambe. For style, it's fast, skilful and attacking football. For players, it's young home-grown talent nurtured through excellent coaching balanced with a few committed experienced professionals. Elsewhere it is the quick-fix at Morecambe its gentle evolution.

Four local youngsters have moved up from Morecambe's academy and into the first team squad (joining eight others who've already made it through the system). In addition Morecambe have signed five new players with an emphasis on youth and the future. Attacking right-back Chris Lane and the very pacy left-footer Dean Howell have joined from Southport; Lee Collins and Dale Gordon from Blackpool and young defender Tony Hallam from Preston North End.

The results so far have been impressive. In July, Premiership new boys Wolves put out their first team at Christie Park including players such as Paul Ince, Denis Irwin, Oleg Luzhny, Alex Rae and Colin Cameron. Wolves fans expected a drubbing; Morecambe fans hoped for a good showing and dreamt of a win. In the end Morecambe's 6-1 win made national news and had the BBC and the Press Association reporting wrong scores and making multiple phone calls, just to check what they were hearing!

However, Jim Harvey is wise enough to know nothing is won pre-season. With more teams going full-time and money pouring into the Conference, going one better and attaining league status is going to be tougher than ever. Teams such as Shrewsbury Town, who knocked out Everton in the FA Cup last year, have come down and Accrington Stanley with Morecambe old boy John Coleman have come up bringing with them two Burnley players who played over 30 games in the first division last season. All told it promises a feast of football.

The Shrimps are enjoying a huge increase in fans -- from both sides of the Lune! Photos: Michael Gibson

One huge benefit is the knock-on effect for the town and district. Long-suffering Morecambe now has a home grown success story and its growth and achievement is mirrored by the redevelopment work taking place in the town. It has also brought the people out. Attendances have slowly climbed as people have abandoned the hugely expensive plastic football of the Premiership and the crisis torn Football League to come out and watch their home town team. It could still do with rising by another 500 or so but with such entertaining football on show and the prospect of another phenomenal season new visitors will come and get hooked.

Simply put, football at Morecambe just keeps getting better and better and better.

Preview by Michael Gibson. Check our What's On Pages for fixture information.

Click here for a preview of Lancaster FC's 2003--04 Season