"There is no better marriage than Punjab and football."
Morecambe FC made history this week, becoming the first professional English club to be owned by Sikh investors.
The move, led by Panjab Warriors, has already attracted global attention, highlighting a community that has often been underrepresented in British football.
Shortly after the takeover, 30-year-old Ashvir Singh Johal was appointed manager, making him the first Sikh to lead a professional British club, as well as the youngest.
For a small seaside town in the north-west of England, these milestones carry significance far beyond football.
With over half a million Sikhs in the UK and millions more worldwide, Morecambe has become a focal point for a community eager to see representation at the highest level.
Heritage and Values
Panjab Warriors’ identity is closely tied to their heritage.
In their first interview as owners, the group emphasised the importance of Sikh principles in their approach to football.
Gurpreet Singh, the group’s head of communications, said:
“Punjab, the land of five rivers, is our native land.
“For us, our heritage, our culture and our faith are our core principles. They make us who we are. And it is these principles, discipline, trustfulness, compassion, that we want to bring to Morecambe.”
Morecambe’s chief executive, Ropinder Singh, added: “There is no better marriage than Punjab and football.
“The doors are open for everybody. The idea is that we want to change the narrative that football ownership is an unethical process.”
The group also hopes to attract Sikh fans across the globe, creating a network of supporters who share their values.
Representation Matters
The appointment of Ashvir Singh Johal has been met with excitement across the Sikh community.
Shrewsbury Town player Mal Benning said:
“As a Sikh Punjabi player in the English Football League, I’m absolutely buzzing to see the Panjab Warriors stepping up to buy Morecambe FC and save the club.
“Even prouder to see Ashvir Singh Johal appointed as the new manager – the first Sikh Punjabi manager in football.
“In my 14th season playing professionally, I’ve rarely encountered players from the same background or ethnicity.
“So, this is a huge moment of representation for our community.”
Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal of the University of Birmingham explained the wider significance:
“People back home in Punjab will be very proud of the fact that Sikhs are running a club here. Sikhs in America, Canada, etc, will be watching closely.
“And those in the UK, even if they might be fans of Liverpool or Manchester United, will also be rooting for Morecambe.”
She noted that the community will hold Panjab Warriors accountable to the values and traditions they represent.
Breaking Barriers in British Football
Although there are plenty of Sikh football fans, the community has largely been underrepresented when it comes to football careers.
Professor Jhutti-Johal continued: “Up until the early 2000s, not many Sikhs really engaged with football.
“They were fans, yes, but we didn’t see them entering into football professions as players, referees or other things.
“However, that second and third generation has grown up and had children, and now if we have talented footballers or artists, we encourage them to do well in those professions and allow them to thrive, and that then increases the visibility of the Sikh community.”
And one of those trailblazers is Jarnail Singh, the first turban-wearing referee in English Football League (EFL) history.
He refereed more than 150 matches across the divisions since 2004. He also previously acted as a fourth official in the Premier League before retiring in 2010.
His sons, Sunny Gill and Bhupinder Singh Gill, are now referees.
On Johal’s appointment as Morecambe manager, Singh said:
“For the South Asian community, and especially the Sikh community, I think it’s absolutely superb where we actually have broken the glass ceiling in terms of going into management.
“All I can do is wish him all the best on behalf of myself, the family and the Sikh community out there.
“It gives everybody the drive to know that one of our Sikhs has reached the pinnacle as a manager.”
Johal himself remains focused on his career rather than symbolism.
His father, Kulvinder Singh, said: “He’s not purposely gone out to be a role model. He is chasing his dream to be a coach.
“This is another milestone in a career that began when he was 15, 16 years old.
“If along the way he happens to become a role model for other people in the community, if this allows others to chase their dreams, then that can only be a good thing for the UK as a whole.”
Morecambe’s takeover by the Panjab Warriors and the appointment of Ashvir Singh Johal are defining moments in British football, offering representation and inspiration.
It signals not only progress for the club but also a wider shift towards inclusivity, showing that identity, faith and ambition can coexist at the professional level.
For British Sikhs and the wider South Asian community, Morecambe is now more than a football club; it is a beacon of possibility.
Loading ...