The experienced footballer Joe Garner gives his first interview after signing for National League North club Morecambe.
The 38 year old has signed on a one year deal, with an option of a further year, subject to the necessary league and FA approvals.
He leaves Oldham, making 61 appearances and scored 11 goals between 2024 and 2026, winning the National League playoffs in 2025.
Morecambe Football Club are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced striker Joe Garner on a one-year deal with an option of a further year, subject to the necessary league and FA approvals.
Welcome to Morecambe, Joe 👏
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/NcXlUbzZW2#UTS 🦐 pic.twitter.com/7LiWdpPI58
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) July 7, 2026
The club said in a statement on their website: Morecambe Football Club are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced striker Joe Garner on a one-year deal with an option of a further year, subject to the necessary league and FA approvals.
The 38-year-old arrives at the Halo Aerospace Stadium as our new number nine with a wealth of experience, having enjoyed a distinguished professional career spanning almost two decades across the English Football League, Scotland and European football.
A product of Blackburn Rovers’ academy, Garner began his senior career with his hometown club before going on to enjoy successful spells with the likes of Carlisle United, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Preston North End, amongst other clubs.
Throughout his career, Garner has made well over 600 senior appearances and scored more than 180 goals. Renowned for his tireless work ethic, intelligent movement and clinical finishing, he established himself as one of the most respected forwards outside the Premier League.
One of the standout periods of his career came at Preston North End, where he fired the Lilywhites to promotion from League One in 2015 after finishing as the division’s top scorer and being named the League One Player of the Year.
Garner has continued to enjoy success in the latter stages of his career, helping Carlisle United secure promotion through the League Two Play-Offs in 2023 before playing his part in Oldham Athletic’s return to the English Football League via the National League Play-Offs in 2025.
His arrival adds further quality, leadership and experience to Adam Lakeland’s squad ahead of the 2026/27 National League North campaign.
A closer look at our new number 9️⃣#UTS 🦐 pic.twitter.com/9Jl8eAVJIM
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) July 7, 2026
Manager Adam Lakeland said: “I’m delighted to bring Joe to Morecambe FC. The career he’s had speaks for itself, but despite everything he has achieved, playing for top clubs and winning promotions, I still see someone who relishes competing, hates losing, loves scoring goals and has an unwavering desire to win football matches.”
“That competitive edge and enthusiasm for the game are just two of the reasons he’s still performing at such a high level, and why he was able to make such a positive impact in League Two last season.”
“I believe Joe will have a hugely positive influence both on and off the pitch for us. While he may not play 90 minutes in every game across the season, whenever he is on the pitch he will be a real handful for defenders, giving us a focal point in attack and creating opportunities for the players around him.”
“Away from the pitch, his character, professionalism and wealth of experience will only strengthen our environment. He will help drive the standards we expect every day and provide invaluable guidance for the younger players in the squad, particularly our attacking players, who have so much they can learn from him. I’m really looking forward to working with him and seeing the impact he’ll have on this group.”
After completing his move to the Shrimps, Garner said: “It’s a massive club and we’re looking to push on this year to get out of the league. We know it will be difficult but we’ll give it our best shot.”
“I’m happy everything has been done so fast, so I can get out there with the lads. It’s going to a massive pre-season.”
Everyone at Morecambe Football Club would like to welcome Joe to the club and wish him every success in red.
Interviewer: Joe, first of all, welcome to Morecambe. It’s good to have you here. Thank you. How’s it feel to finally get everything sorted, become a Morecambe player?
Joe: Yeah, really happy, spoke to the manager and something that I was really wanted to do and been looking looking forward to.
Interviewer: And how important were those conversations with gaffer in making your decision?
Joe: Yeah, massive. Spoke to a lot of people. The manager is really high highly rated and it’s something that I wanted to be a part of and after speaking to him it’s what I wanted to do.
Interviewer: And what was it about this opportunity that appeal appealed to you?
Joe: “It’s a massive club um and uh we’ll be looking to push on this year and try and get out the league and I know it’d be difficult but we’ll give it our best shot.
Interviewer: And you’ve won promotions and scored many goals wherever you’ve been. How do you use experience like that to help a new group like this?
Joe: Yeah, that’s something I’ve spoke about with a manager and um say I can hopefully bring a lot to the table and help out and hopefully get a few goals.
Interviewer: And preseason’s already well underway. How keen are you to get involved and start building those relationships on the pitch?
Joe: Yeah, for sure. I think it’s massive. hat’s why I wanted it to get it done so fast so I can get out there with the lads and say these four to six weeks are massive building towards the season and say happy to get it done now and really looking forward to it.
Interviewer: And just looking ahead to the season, what are you hoping to achieve?
Joe: As I say we’ll be looking to push right on and um try and get promotion. As I say it’s a tough tough league but say with hard work and um a few few goals hopefully we can be right up there.
Interviewer: And finally any message for the Morecambe fans watching this?
Joe: A pleasure to be here, hopefully get behind the fans. I’ve been here before and as I say I’ve seen the place bouncing, it can turn out in its numbers and the football club’s on the way back up and just get behind the boys and the the staff.
A modern-day Latics great 👑
💙 As he leaves following the end of his contract, we thank Joe for the unforgettable moments and the special history he helped create. #oafc pic.twitter.com/4oBteJnM5M
— Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) July 7, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted as Joe Garner gives his first interview after signing for National League North club Morecambe….
@cartwright_ric: Get it down yer Garns! All the best Joe. A huge role in that promotion. #oafc
@miguelinho2910: Thank-you, Joe – as big a player as anyone for us through those play-offs. Wish you all the very best with your move!
@ScottWalker89: A class guy, had the pleasure of getting to know him off the pitch as he coached my son. You won’t find a more experienced striker, ignore the age – he will smash it for you! All the best Garns 💙
@RazzaRileyy: A proper workhorse that will do wonders in the lower leagues. King of the dark arts. Thank you for everything Joe and especially during the playoffs. All the best at Morecambe 💙#oafc
@Harrison_1895: Go well Joe! What a player and an even better bloke – ignore the age morecambe fans you’ve got a gooden 🫡
@LMMFC_: 38 years old but usually scores 7+ goals a season at higher levels than NLN
@andyhiggins10: This man delivered when it mattered, and will always be remembered for those 3 games, thanks for the men Joe #oafc
@aaronhow177: Will always be thankful to Garner for his stint at Latics. Scored in all 3 play off games, gave us some great moments. I don’t think we go up without Joe. Probably the right time to move on. Not many players will be thought of as highly as Garner by our fans. Cheers Joe 👏 #oafc
@oafc24: What a player and what a man! All the best he will get you up
@LaticsAwayDays: Will miss his experience. Great guy 👏
@DavePilling317: Welcome to the team. You’re going to smash it
@themantonhoward: More cards than goals. Absolute legend. Godspeed shithouse #oafc
@calummackay9257: That’s a great signing for that level , loved his spells here at carlisle
@bringbackngoo: Scored at Wembley for Oldham Athletic, therefore this human deserves a knighthood #oafc
@willyfog44: Gutted he’s not staying at #oafc. He will be a great miss to the squad, and the younger member’s development. Great signing. And good luck Joe
@OLVagrant: So long Joe, the legendary undisputed king of shithousery! 🤴 #oafc
Will go down as the man who scored in every round. Not many will be looked at as fondly as Joe by Latics fans.
Hope he smashes it for Morecambe.
A play off story in 3 parts. Legendary #oafc pic.twitter.com/2xfmnCzaBE
— Ryan Hamer (@rphamer1984) July 7, 2026
Gimme goals 🎶
What a man, forever a legend in Oldham, the play offs won’t be forgotten 💙 pic.twitter.com/jEBw8EeZvj
— Nic Green (@Greeny93_) July 7, 2026
