Off The Line Blog

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Player Decisions

Retain

Liam Hogan, Lennon Dobson, Adam Fairclough, Alfie Scales, Gwion Edwards, Jake Cain, Paul Lewis, Lewis Payne, Ben Williams

Release

Terrell Agyemang, Jamal Blackman, Raheem Conte, Harlee Dean, Josh Eppiah, Ludwig Francilette, Kyle Jameson, Archie Mair, Joe Nuttall, Admiral Muskwe, Harry Panayiotou, Daniel Ogwuru, Mohamed Sangare, Alie Sesay, Yann Songo’o, George Thomas, Ben Tollitt, Ma’kel Bogle-Campbell

Sell

Miguel Azeez

Lose

Jack Nolan, Myles Boney

Loan End

Timmy Akindileni, Tommy Fogarty, Chris Popov

Retained Squad

New Signings

Callum Hawkins (Curzon Ashton – fee)

I rate Myles Boney very highly, albeit he has not had the chance to prove himself this season and so I expect he will want to depart and pursue an option to be a #1. Personally, I don’t think Jamal Blackman is of the level required, and so I would be looking for an upgrade in the goalkeeping department. 

One player that may well be of interest to The Shrimps as an option and someone that has consistently been one of the better goalkeepers in the National League North over a number of years is Callum Hawkins. Currently on the books of Curzon Ashton, Hawkins is someone that has always impressed me and despite his teams’ overall struggles he has been a standout performer. 

The goalkeeper is contracted to Curzon Ashton next season, but by way of their relegation out of the National League North on the final day of the campaign he will surely be an interesting proposition to teams in the sixth tier. Personally, I think he is too good – and has built up too much credit in the bank in the National League North – to be plying his trade in the Northern Premier League. 

He has had his chance in the Football League briefly whilst on the books at Burton Albion, but he has gone away and honed his craft in the non-league scene with a successful spell with Leamington, and has done with Curzon Ashton. Morecambe should – I feel – be looking to assemble a squad that is hungry and with a point to prove, and the 26-year-old is certainly one that I think is worth a look at. 

Given that Curzon Ashton are not one of the bigger hitters financially, I think that they may well be open to accepting a fairly reduced price for an asset who potentially will want to remain at the level. Morecambe have spent a lot of money unwisely – I feel – over the course of the last 12 months.

Evan Humphries (West Bromwich Albion – free)

While Morecambe have predominantly made use of a 3-at-the-back system in 2025-26, I would be looking to transition back to a four next season as I think that it is often structurally better defensively, the players that they have got suit that formation better and it is easier to recruit for. One area – therefore – in which I would try to recruit is at left-back. 

Morecambe have already got Ben Williams on their books, and he has shown flashes of a player that is talented and on his day can be an asset to the football club. However, I think that they could benefit from adding a younger left-back that can complement him and ideally be more athletic and powerful in their running. One option that I would look at as a prospective signing is youngster Evan Humphries.

Humphries has got the advantage of having an appreciation for the National League North having spent time in the league on loan at Oxford City towards the back end of the campaign. As such, Morecambe would be getting a player that knows the league, has ‘dipped his toe’ into the water of first-team football and so is not a complete novice in that regard. 

In terms of his playing style, Humphries offers The Shrimps the versatility of being able to fill in anywhere down the left-hand side be it as a full-back or as a centre-back, and such is his attacking style of play he can be used as a winger. He is an athletic and industrious player with a good engine, strong work ethic, is quick, aggressive in the tackle and physically capable of handling himself well. He looks to use his physicality to get forward and provide his team an outlet, and he has got the powerful running style to progress the ball from deep. 

With the youngster out of contract at the end of the season and a pathway into the first-team with West Bromwich Albion unlikely to materialise, I feel that this summer may well be one in which he wants to go out on loan and get more games under his belt in a first-team environment. The prospect of signing the 20-year-old on a long-term deal with a view to him being a bit of a project that they can develop going forward makes a lot of sense in my opinion, albeit given his potential it wouldn’t surprise me if The Baggies keep him and loan him out again. The type of business they should be doing. Regardless, I think he would be a sensible piece of recruitment.

Billy Sass-Davies (Altrincham – free)

Morecambe retained a good centre-back for the level in Liam Hogan, and I think that the challenge for Adam Lakeland is in finding the right partner for him. One player that has been let go at the end of the campaign and who I feel could be a useful option to consider is Billy Sass-Davies. 

Sass-Davies finished the campaign with National League side Altrincham, albeit he was let go by Neil Gibson going into the summer. I feel that he has got a big decision to make this summer in terms of where he goes to play his football, as ideally I think he needs to try and find somewhere that he is going to get regular game time. I feel dropping down into the National League North and signing for Morecambe could well provide him with that opportunity. 

While he was let go by Altrincham, I still maintain that he is a National League side centre-back and so would represent a bit of a coup if Adam Lakeland was able to secure his services. He has huge experience in the fifth tier, played higher, and has good pedigree having played for Wales internationally at youth level. I think that he is at the right age such that he can represent a useful project for Adam Lakeland, and the type that they can sign on a 2-3 year deal with a view to being the foundations of their backline for years to come. 

In terms of the type of player that Sass-Davies is, the former Crewe Alexandra man is a traditional, no-nonsense, box defender that is perhaps not the most polished with the ball, but is going to be reliable in his defending, not taking risks, being slightly more orthodox in clearing his lines first as opposed to wanting to play out. He is a good size, strong in the air, physically robust and has been extremely well-coached out of a strong academy at Crewe Alexandra and in playing in the Football League such that he is a smart defender that reads the game well. 

There is an obvious question mark surrounding his fitness given that was the limiting factor of his involvement with The Robins, and he had a fairly lengthy lay-off, but I am confident that with a full summer in which to get back fit and firing then it more than mitigates the potential stumbling block over him.

Ultimately, Morecambe will be aiming to get promoted out of the division in 2026-27 and get back into the National League and so signing a player like Billy Sass-Davies that I feel can be a good option for them across both levels represents suitable long-term planning. I have always liked him as a defender, and if Lakeland could land him then I think they would be getting a real coup.

Harry Perritt (Alfreton Town – free)

A lot of the business that Morecambe have done in 2025-26 would certainly be filed under the category of ‘disappointing’. They’ve got to get it right going into 2026-27 as they get set for the National League North. They need good characters. Players who are adaptable, and with a point to prove. One player that I think fits the bill and who I have been a long-time admirer of when I have seen him is Harry Perritt. 

One of the major advantages of why I think Perritt could be an ideal candidate for Morecambe is that he can play in a number of positions. Next term, I believe that they should go away from having a bloated squad, trim it right down and favour a squad with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity. As such, having a player of the versatility of Perritt would be ideal.

He can play as a centre-back, a full-back on either side, at the base of midfield and he has been used as a wing-back, especially when he was at Accrington Stanley. Since he has been at Alfreton Town, he has made the centre-back role his own and I think that is his best position, but just the fact he can fill in where required is hugely beneficial. 

In terms of his profile, Perritt is a good athlete, powerful runner, quick and incredibly hard-working. A great character. He has developed a real maturity, and a quiet leadership and confidence that I really like. 

He is 25 years of age now, and has played for the last few years in the National League North with Alfreton Town. He is quicker and more agile across the ground than the defenders that Morecambe currently have in the building and is the type of profile that represents a decent project for Morecambe to sign and work with for a few years. Out of a strong academy at Accrington Stanley. Experienced higher. He is a player that Alfreton Town will no doubt want to keep hold of going into 2026-27, but I believe he could be a good option for Morecambe alongside their existing options that they may retain.

Greg Sloggett (Boston United – free)

Perhaps surprisingly, Morecambe let go of Yan Songo’o at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. While he didn’t hit the heights he could last term, I still think he could have offered real value for Adam Lakeland. With Songo’o moving on, I feel they will have to bring in a midfielder of the profile to sit at the base, do the ‘dirty work’ and be combative against the ball in a more defensive capacity. One player I would look at is Greg Sloggett.

He may not be the most flashy in terms of ball progression or quality on the ball, but if Morecambe are to – unlike this year – create a team that is balanced and functions more effectively as a ‘team’ then I think that having those players who are capable of getting through a high volume of work and be selfless for the team fits the bill. I think that in terms of what their midfield was crying out for last season, Sloggett ticks a number of boxes. 

Sloggett is a good size, physically robust, combative against the ball and is incredibly hard-working. A good athlete with a great engine, Sloggett is tough in the tackle and can put his foot on it, and so in terms of having that more defensively-minded option at the base of midfield that is capable of doing the ‘hard yards’ then I think he is worth a look. 

I am expecting that Adam Lakeland will try and make Morecambe quite an attacking outfit, and so having a player like Sloggett that can provide more of the antithesis to that against the ball is key. He has always struck me as being a good professional with a strong work ethic and a good character for the group, and while he may not be the profile of player to win the plaudits he is someone that could provide real value to a Morecambe side who lacked work-rate and off-the-ball qualities in 2025-26. 

While I anticipate that Morecambe will be fairly big-spending during the summer, I do feel that Lakeland will likely tend to sign a younger profile of player and so finding those sprinkling of more experienced faces to complement the group can be really important. Available on a free transfer after being let go by Boston United, I think that he would be an under-the-radar signing that could offer great value.

Jonah Lowes (Carlisle United – loan)

Having watched Morecambe on a number of occasions this term, one of the observations that I would make is that they lack energy and the ability to press in midfield. While he may not be a household name, one player that does interest me in terms of providing those skillsets is youngster Jonah Lowes. 

Lowes has enjoyed a loan spell at National League North side Darlington during 2025-26, and he has earned some rave reviews for his displays in midfield for The Quakers. A bundle of energy, an aggressive, dynamic presser that has got an incredible box-to-box engine and such agility in stepping to engage the opposition, the youngster’s athleticism, running ability and speed would be hugely welcomed. 

I think that Lowes would provide Adam Lakeland with a lot of options in how he is used. He can play as a #10 whereby he can use his athleticism and running power in getting up in close proximity to a #9 and get beyond the play. He has the energy and is nimble enough to be a #8 where he can get about the pitch. I feel he is so quick-footed and direct in his running that you could use him in a wider role. He has the benefit of being at a good age and is highly coachable, and under a manager in Adam Lakeland that has demonstrated his ability in getting the best out of young midfielders I think it could be a match made in heaven. 

The youngster is unlikely to get opportunities to play in the first-team with Carlisle United given their lofty ambitions of winning promotion, and so I anticipate that he will again be allowed to leave the club on loan. If he does go into the National League North, I expect that it may be to a side that are aiming to be at the top-end of the division and so joining a Morecambe side who – despite off-field challenge – will remain one of the fancied sides could represent a nice fit. 

The Shrimps have definitely been crying out for a player of his profile this term, and so the 18-year-old could represent a smart loan capture.

Aleksandrs Starcenko (Worksop Town – free)

One area in which I think Morecambe significantly lacked in 2025-26 is energy against the ball. Everything was too static or lethargic out-of-possession, and so adding that extra dynamism and ability to cover ground is going to be a key focus of their summer recruitment. One player that I believe they could attract with the offer of going full-time and joining a side that harbours ambitions of getting promoted from the National League North in 2026-27 is Worksop Town’s Aleksandrs Starcenko. 

Starcenko has been part of a Worksop Town side that adjusted nicely to life in the sixth tier last term following their promotion. The 25-year-old Latvian midfielder has been a fixture of their side during those efforts, and it is no surprise that The Tigers are in discussions with him to sign a deal for 2026-27. However, he has yet to sign that and I think he could well be tempted with the opportunity to go and join a perceived ‘bigger club’ such as Morecambe. 

As a profile, Starcenko is an attacking midfielder. Incredible energy against the ball. A good size. Powerful runner. A willing presser. During Worksop Town’s promotion campaign, he demonstrated that he has got good timing in arriving late into the box given he managed to score 21 goals from midfield, and so in terms of that box-crashing goal-scorer that is a profile that Morecambe perhaps have lacked this term. 

There is an expectation that Morecambe will lose star man Jack Nolan going into 2026-27, and so they’re going to have to find a way to replicate his end product. Adam Lakeland was able to turn players in Jay Turner-Cooke and Josh Hmami, and it is their ability to arrive late, get on the end of crosses and contribute offensively – coupled with their general profile – that I think makes Starcenko a really good fit for Adam Lakeland to work with. 

I think that it would be a major flex of their muscle if Adam Lakeland was able to attract a player to sign for Morecambe from a divisional rival. At the very least, it would provide him with a midfielder that knows the league. He is a player seldom talked up or lauded in the mainstream, but he is someone I really like. He represents a really nice all-round profile for a midfielder, and so if I was Morecambe I would be going all out to land him.

Aidan Barlow (Rochdale – free)

After a third relegation in four years, I am not expecting that Morecambe will be happy simply ‘making up the numbers’ in the National League North. If they are to make an immediate return to the National League, I feel they may well bring in one or two marquee signings to really elevate the group. One option that has become available that I think will interest them is the former Rochdale attacker Aidan Barlow. 

Barlow has been playing as a #10 in Rochdale’s system in absence of out-and-out wingers, but is a player that is equally adept at playing as a #10 or wide and so would offer Morecambe real versatility across any of the three positions in a 4-2-3-1. 

As a player, Barlow is perhaps not the most athletic, but he is hugely technical. Good off either feet. Skilful. A delicate weight of pass. Good vision, and the ability to unlock a door with quick, incisive passing into the final third. I feel that he is best playing in the half-spaces whereby he can get on the turn and get shots off in and around the penalty area, operating between the lines. He can, however, play as a winger and so provides that option. 

With Jack Nolan likely to depart, signing Barlow would be another that would help contribute towards replacing the output that they have had this term in Nolan. Barlow is creative and progressive on the ball, wants to take risks, and play forward. I personally feel that we can see more from him than we have seen the last 12 months at Rochdale, and in a system whereby he can stay more central to goal he offers good value given the quality of his ball-striking. 

He has had a good technical grounding having come through Manchester United’s academy and has played the bulk of his career at a level – at least – higher than that which Morecambe are playing next season. He is 26 years of age, coming into the perceived primitive years of his career, and I think that he is the type of signing that could give Morecambe that little bit of star quality and ‘X Factor’ that they would perhaps otherwise miss in absence of Jack Nolan’s likely departure. 

After playing such a key part in Rochdale’s promotion from the National League, I think that there is a likelihood that he may well be holding out for an opportunity to play in the National League again in 2026-27. However, I don’t feel that there is too much of a difference between being a perceived squad player at Step One or being one of the leading lights in a likely big-spending Step Two side. Joining Morecambe would afford him the luxury of being a regular pick for them and play a high volume of minutes, and so I think that he would be worth a look. 

Rio Allan (Scarborough Athletic – free)

Morecambe will likely retain Gwion Edwards going into 2026-27, but losing Jack Nolan is a bit of a blow to their preparations, albeit hugely expected. I feel the wide attacking areas is definitely an area in which they should look to add during the summer, and so one player that I would look at is Scarborough Athletic’s Rio Allan. 

Allan is a player that has particularly impressed me in 2025-26 as arguably the standout performer in a Seadogs side that finished the campaign in 6th. He is only 22 years of age, and has shown real maturity in his game over the last 12 months. Originally signing for The Seadogs from Hallam, Allan has lived up to his big billing since then and developed a reputation for being one of the best wide players in the league. 

In terms of the type of profile that I would typically look for in a winger, I think that Allan ticks a number of the boxes. Quick. Direct. Incredibly agile. A good dribbler. Quick feet. A direct-to-goal threat whose first thought is to get on the turn and drive the ball to goal. For a side that wants to play on the front-foot, with speed and power, I think that Allan has got all the attributes that you’d want. 

I feel there is definitely some work to do in terms of that final action and the quality of his decision-making, but I think that can come in time and with the more games he plays at the level. When I profile a player for a position, I would always look at what a player can do rather than what they can’t and identify a profile that fits the role you’re looking for. In a 4-2-3-1, you want the wingers to be athletic, full of energy and running, quick across the ground and can carry the ball, and Allan provides this. 

Given that Scarborough Athletic finished in the play-offs last season, I don’t envisage them wanting to let him move on during the summer, however he may well be one they lose by way of better offers elsewhere. If I was Adam Lakeland, he has got all of the requisite ticks against his name that you would look for – in terms of age, technical profile, track record at the level, recent form, etc – and so I would be going all out to get it done.

Kristian Dennis (Tranmere Rovers – free)

One thing that I think Morecambe should look to add during the summer is players with good game intelligence. Especially at the top end of the pitch, Morecambe took a gamble on a lot of players who perhaps lack that strength of decision-making. One player that is now available after being let go by his side at the end of 2025-26 is Kristian Dennis. 

Morecambe have had a fair few striking options on their books last season, but they have definitely lacked that clinical edge. A poacher. Someone who is going to be in the right place when the ball drops. They’ve had a player in Chris Popov that is more of a facilitator with his running and pressing, Josh Eppiah has lacked any type of quality, Joe Nuttall is a link player more than a goal-scorer, and so a lot of the end product responsibility has been with Jack Nolan creating a bit of magic.

Kristian Dennis, however, is exactly the type of player that could improve them in front. Given his age, I think he may well get involved less in the build-up phase, yet equally is a player that – when given an opportunity – has got that composure and instinctive reading of the game to apply that bit of quality. 

I last remember watching Kristian Dennis in the Macclesfield Town team that went on to win promotion from the National League under John Askey, and I think he could provide a similar role in this Morecambe side. If you can keep him between the posts and get service into him, he has shown throughout his career that he is a good finisher. Very calm and composed in front of goal. Intelligent. A little bit ‘ratty’ in the way that he is always alert to the loose ball, forcing turnovers and playing on the shoulder.

He san incredibly hard-working, selfless, intelligent #9. He is not the quickest nor mobile, but covers ground fairly well, uses his body effectively backing into players, and is fairly industrious in riding challenges. He is the type of player that isn’t the cleanest ball-striker in the world, but he just knows where the ball is going to be and the type of finish that is required and I feel that extra intelligence would be hugely beneficial to Morecambe. 

The experienced front man is 36 years of age, albeit played extensively in League Two last year with Tranmere Rovers and so I am confident that he is more than good enough to play in the National League North. At the stage of his career which he is at, I actually think that dropping down to a side like Morecambe, be a bit of a squad player and one of the ‘posterboys’ of an exciting project in trying to get back into the National League may well be the exact type of opportunity that he could be persuaded by.

Callum Ebanks (Buxton – free)

The second player that I think Morecambe should look at signing at the top end of the pitch is Callum Ebanks. 

Ebanks finished the campaign on loan at Bedford Town, but is on the books at Buxton. He will likely be moving on during the summer, and so he will be available on a free transfer. He may not have ripped up any trees during 2025-26, but I think that he is a good player and someone I wouldn’t wholly write off just yet. 

In terms of his profile, I believe Ebanks has all the attributes that you would look for in a ‘modern day #9’. He is big, powerful, aggressive against the ball, attacks space well, is direct when getting on the turn and is a good athlete. I think that he has got the presence and physicality to lead the line as a #9, but equally the speed and running power in playing wide and isolating defenders. 

This season, I feel that Morecambe have missed that energy at the top end of the pitch. Joe Nuttall has been too static, and so they could do with adding that more physically capable option. Ebanks is particularly dangerous when operating high on the last line whereby he can make movements off the shoulder of the opposition in driving into space and stretching teams. They’ve missed that outlet that can play direct to goal, but Ebanks offers real value in this regard. 

When Ebanks signed for Buxton, I had really high hopes for him to take the National League North by storm and that has perhaps not materialised as he would have liked. However, I retain confidence in him being a very capable #9 for the league. Under a good coach like Adam Lakeland, I think that we would see more from him than we have done in the last 12 months. He is only 23 years of age, and I feel he could represent a good project for Adam Lakeland to work with.

Josh Ayres (Rotherham United – loan)

The final player on this list that I think would be a really clever piece of business for Morecambe is Rotherham United youngster Josh Ayres. Ayres was offered a new deal by The Millers, yet has decided to turn that down and move on to pastures new. I expect that decision may well have been with a view to going and getting more regular playing opportunities at first-team level, and I think he would get that luxury with Morecambe. 

If Morecambe do sign Kristian Dennis and Callum Ebanks, they’ve got a clinical, ‘fox in the box’ type goal-scorer and a physical powerhouse, and so signing a player of Josh Ayres’ profile would – I feel – complement them quite nicely. 

In an ideal world, I think that Morecambe would like to keep Chris Popov after his productive loan spell, however, I think that the chances of him making a return are rather slim. As such, Morecambe will likely have to look elsewhere. As a potential replacement for Popov, I think that Ayres represents a really good mix of skillsets given his size and stature. 

I feel there is definitely a lot of development to do in his game, but the raw tools are good. He has the physical presence and aerial qualities that you would look for in a ‘’big #9’, yet I feel he can be more aggressive in his all-round play. Be more combative in winning the ball and asserting himself on defenders. There is definitely scope for him to learn how to use his body better, but that will come with time. 

He is only 20 years of age and with limited first-team exposure, and so he would represent a bit of a gamble for Adam Lakeland to sign. However, I think that he is equally a rather sensible investment for them given his profile and with a bit of physical development and maturity in his play, I feel that he is a really attractive option for a coach as good as Adam Lakeland. It may well seem a little backward for Ayres to seemingly take steps backwards in dropping into the National League, yet I think that for the sake of his career and in getting regular minutes it would do him the world of good.