NL 2025/26 Preview: Halifax Town

7th July 2025 2:43 pm

FC Halifax Town – 2025/26 Season Preview: A New Era Begins at The Shay

A summer of change is underway at FC Halifax Town, as the club prepares for the 2025/26 National League campaign without long-serving manager Chris Millington for the first time in six years. Millington, who guided the Shaymen to two play-off finishes and a memorable 2023 FA Trophy victory, stepped down at the end of last season—leaving a legacy of overachievement under tight budget constraints.

The club have acted decisively to appoint Adam Lakeland as Millington’s successor, following a successful spell at King’s Lynn Town where he secured survival in his first season before reaching the play-offs last time out. His managerial CV includes successful periods with Blackburn Rovers Women, Curzon Ashton (back-to-back promotions as coach), Northwich Victoria, and Farsley Celtic, where he won the Northern Premier League Division One North title in 2019. His return to Curzon Ashton in 2021 preceded a strong tenure at King’s Lynn.

He will be joined by assistant manager Sam Walker, a familiar face for Shaymen supporters, having been part of the club’s historic 2016 FA Trophy success. Walker has worked alongside Lakeland at both Curzon and King’s Lynn and now returns to The Shay to help write the next chapter.

Last year’s campaign offered plenty of resilience but ultimately fell short of promotion. Could Lakeland be the man to finally push Halifax over the line?

2024/25 Season in Review

Final Position: 6th (Play-off Eliminator defeat to Oldham)
Average Attendance: 1,744 (15th in National League)
FA Cup: Eliminated in Fourth Qualifying Round (4-2 away loss to Oldham Athletic)
FA Trophy: Knocked out in 3rd Round (on penalties to Bashford United)
Top Scorer: Jamie Cooke (7 goals)
Key Player: Florent Hoti (5 goals, 5 assists)

It was a season that could have promised more. A devastating injury list and fixture congestion derailed a strong start, ultimately costing Halifax a potential top-five finish. Their reward? An away tie in the eliminator round, which ended in heartbreak once again.

Chairman David Bosomworth acknowledged the toll on the squad, praising Millington’s work ethic and dedication in the face of adversity. Despite the manager’s exit, Halifax fans look back on his tenure with pride, especially the silverware delivered at Wembley.

That era came to a full close with the departure of assistant manager Andy Cooper, who also stepped down following Millington’s exit. Cooper, a respected and calming influence in the dugout, was instrumental across three seasons—helping guide the Shaymen to two play-off campaigns and the 2023 FA Trophy win. In his farewell message, he spoke warmly of his time at the club, paying tribute to the players, staff and fans.

Summer business

With several departures confirmed and now a flurry of arrivals, Halifax’s summer has evolved from a careful rebuild into a more decisive reshaping of Adam Lakeland’s squad. Sam Johnson’s retention still provides vital continuity, but the exits of Galvin and Senior have been offset by a wave of new signings designed to add depth, energy, and experience across the pitch. Lakeland remains clear-eyed about the challenge ahead:

“I’m pleased with the signings we’ve made so far. They’re all young, hungry players who want to work hard, develop, and help us have a positive season.”

Cody Johnson (Stockport) and Dylan Crowe (King’s Lynn) bring familiarity, having worked with Lakeland before, while AJ Warburton (Avro), David Kawa (Aveley), and Burnley U21s captain Will Hugill add energy and balance. Hugill, in particular, looks a shrewd addition – a composed, ball-winning midfielder with National League experience from Fylde and the maturity to help Halifax control games.

Since then, recruitment has accelerated. Shaun Hobson bolsters central defence with over 120 appearances at National League and EFL level, while Thierry Latty-Fairweather adds pace and versatility on the left after a solid season with Maidenhead (where he was on loan). In midfield, Josh Hmami reunites with Lakeland, bringing creativity, set-piece quality, and a track record of goals and assists from his time at Southport and King’s Lynn. Up front, Will Harris arrives to strengthen Halifax’s attacking options after netting nine for Spennymoor and gaining EFL experience with Barrow and Sunderland.

With the core squad from last season retained but now supported by these new signings, Halifax appear better equipped to handle the physical demands of another promotion push. Goals remain the key question mark after no player reached double figures last term, but with greater depth, added creativity, and fresh attacking options, The Shaymen have the tools to compete again in the top seven—and perhaps go one better this time.

Signings and retained list

New Signings: Cody Johnson (Stockport County), Dylan Crowe (King’s Lynn Town), AJ Warburton (Avro), Will Hugill (Burnley), David Kawa (Aveley), Will Harris (Spennymoor Town), Shaun Hobson (Oldham), Josh Hmami (King’s Lynn Town), Thierry Latty-Fairweather (York City)
Retained: Sam Johnson (GK), Zak Emmerson, Jamie Cooke, Florent Hoti, Jack Jenkins, Angelo Cappello, Nat Ford (GK), Jo Cummings, Will Smith, Adam Alimi-Adetoro, Harvey Sutcliffe, Sean Tarima, Charley Hayes-Green, Tom Pugh, Owen Bray, Max Wright

Departures

Departed: Jack Evans (Harrogate Town), Ryan Galvin (Barnet), Adam Senior (Barnet), Adan George, Jimiel Chikukwa, Frankie Sinfield, Ted Lavelle, Festus Arthur

Player to watch

Zak Emmerson is tipped as Halifax’s potential breakout goal threat for 2025/26, offering sharp movement and finishing that could finally give the club a reliable focal point up front after last season’s struggles for goals.

Having shown flashes previously, a strong pre-season under Adam Lakeland could see him cement a starting role, with his energetic pressing, link-up play, and poacher’s instinct fitting perfectly into Halifax’s high-work-rate, transition-based system. If Emmerson can hit early form, Halifax’s playoff ambitions will feel far more realistic, but if he struggles, the team’s lack of goals could once again become a ceiling on progress.