Town's final game of the 2023/24 season will take place this weekend, as we host Lancashire side Morecambe to The County Ground this weekend.
Morecambe Football Club, founded in 1920, has been a fixture in the seaside town's sporting scene for over a century. Beginning modestly, the club shared facilities with the local cricket club before gaining traction with significant cup successes in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Despite a downturn in the 80s and 90s, a resurgence under Jim Harvey saw promotion to the Conference. Notable FA Cup performances followed, alongside a move to the Globe Arena in 2010.
Jim Bentley's tenure as manager marked a period of stability and success, including a historic win over Coventry City at the new stadium. Under Bentley's leadership, Morecambe maintained a strong position in League Two for eight years until his departure in 2019. Derek Adams took the helm, navigating the club through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020-21 season was monumental, featuring memorable cup runs against Premier League giants like Newcastle United and Chelsea. However, it was in the league where Morecambe truly excelled, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion and securing a playoff spot for the first time in history. A dramatic playoff final victory at Wembley secured promotion to League One, but Adams soon departed, making way for Stephen Robinson.
Robinson's tenure saw remarkable moments like a draw against Ipswich Town and a valiant effort against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Derek Adams returned for a second stint as manager, steering the club to safety in League One in the 2021-22 season. Despite a record points haul, relegation loomed on the final day of the campaign, marking the club's first-ever descent from the third tier.
Following a 16-year playing career, Morecambe boss Ged Brennan moved into coaching and management, starting as the U23s manager at fellow League Two side Accrington Stanley. In September 2023, Brannan joined the coaching staff at Morecambe. After the departure of manager Derek Adams in November 2023, Brannan was appointed caretaker manager, along with John McMahon, before being subsequently appointed as first team manager on 27 November 2023, signing an 18-month contract in what is his first first team management role.
An impressive goal return for the former Eastleigh loanee with seven goals for the attacking midfielder showing his threat in front of goal.
Having graduated through the ranks of Championship side Watford, McKiernan embarked on several loan spells including Bohemians and the previously mentioned Spitfires, to gain valuable first-team experience which earned him a move to Morecambe at the start of the 2022-23 season.
This season, the 22-year-old has become a key player for the Shrimps this season and will be looking to build on his man-of-the-match performance in the reverse fixture to deliver a good result for Morecambe this afternoon.
