PU PREVIEW 13: MORECAMBE

Morecambe FC was formed in May 1920. The new club joined the Lancashire Combination League. After one season sharing a ground with the local cricket club, Morecambe moved to Roseberry Park. This was renamed Christie Park a few years later after the then-President of the club, Mr JB Christie, who had purchased the ground. Morecambe won their first league title in 1925 along with the Lancashire Junior Cup. Mr Christie bequeathed the ground to the club in 1927 and also helped incorporate the club into a limited company. The club struggled during the remainder of the 1920s and the 1930s, but things improved after the end of the Second World War. The years from 1960 to 1974 saw Morecambe enjoy their so-called 'golden era', including an appearance in the FA Cup 3rd round in 1960-61, a Lancashire Senior Cup Final victory over Burnley in 1968 and success in the FA Trophy Final against Dartford in 1974. The following twelve years saw a visible decline in the club's fortunes, but signs of improvement appeared during 1985-86 and this eventually led to Morecambe's promotion to the Football Conference in 1996. The club was promoted to the Football League when they defeated Exeter City in the play-off final in 2007. In August 2010, Morecambe moved to their new ground, the Globe Arena.

Morecambe's mascot, Christie the cat, was once sent off during a League Two match after a friendly altercation with Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper Tony Roberts.

The Shrimps (not to be confused with Southend United's Shrimpers) are managed by Jim Bentley and finished the 2015-16 League Two campaign in 21st place.

Morecambe and Pompey have met on seven occasions, both sides winning twice, with the other games drawn. Morecambe won 2-0 at the Globe Arena earlier this season.

(Information via Wikipedia and www.11v11.com)