NL 2025/26 Preview: Solihull Moors

7th July 2025 8:13 pm

Solihull Moors – 2025/26 Season Preview: Fresh Faces, Familiar Questions

Solihull Moors head into 2025/26 with cautious optimism after a flat 14th-place finish last term, where cup exits at home to Bromley and Radcliffe underlined a campaign lacking momentum. Despite flashes of promise from top scorers Conor Wilkinson and Jack Stevens (13 goals each), attendances remained one of the league’s lowest, and frustration simmered over a perceived lack of progression under Matt Taylor.

Yet this summer feels different. A wave of new signings including proven striker Dan Creaney and the energetic Cameron Green signals a squad rebuild aimed at injecting hunger and consistency. The departures of experienced figures like John Bostock and the respectful exit of interim support from Jerry Gill mark a clear shift: the Moors are all-in on Taylor’s plan, and the fanbase will expect to see a clear identity from day one.

Last Season Recap

Final position: 14th
Average Attendance: 1,298 (23rd)
FA Cup: 2nd Round (lost to Bromley, 1-2)
FA Trophy: 3rd Round (lost to Radcliffe, 1-2)
Top Scorers: Conor Wilkinson, Jack Stevens (13 goals each)

Inconsistency defined 2024/25: too many home slip-ups, an attack that ran hot and cold, and a defensive structure that faltered under pressure. The club never truly flirted with relegation but equally never threatened the play-offs, leading to growing restlessness in the stands and calls for clarity on the club’s direction.

Summer so far — Gill exit, Taylor pressure

The departure of Jerry Gill to Dagenham & Redbridge has sparked debate among Moors fans. Gill, widely credited with stabilising results late last season, had become a quiet symbol of hope for many, injecting belief during a grim run. His exit means the pressure now sits squarely on Matt Taylor’s shoulders, with supporters warning that a slow start could see goodwill evaporate quickly.

Taylor’s tenure so far has divided the fanbase. Some call for patience, arguing that he deserves a full pre-season with his own recruits to implement his ideas, while others point to his record—four wins in twenty—as evidence that the project is already faltering. Online discussions range from calm calls for accountability to demands for change if performances stall, with fears that a poor start could turn the atmosphere toxic at Damson Park.

On the pitch, Taylor’s approach has mixed compact shape with moments of direct play, but many supporters want to see a clearer identity emerge. The club’s low attendance figures last season speak to wider apathy that only a winning, entertaining team can reverse. While the chairman, Darryl Eales, has publicly backed Taylor, even Eales acknowledged to fans that last season was “grim” and that improvement is needed.

Ultimately, the new season feels like a pivot point for Solihull Moors. Taylor’s signings will be expected to deliver immediately, with the exits of experienced voices like Gill removing any excuses. Whether Taylor can silence doubters and unify the fanbase will be one of the season’s key narratives—and the fans, vocal as ever, will be watching.

Squad refresh

Solihull Moors have quietly refreshed their squad with targeted summer signings aimed at injecting energy and experience into a side that drifted to 14th last season. Up front, the headline addition is striker Dan Creaney from Tamworth, arriving with a reputation for hard graft and goals after netting 19 last season and over 40 in the previous campaign. His arrival gives the Moors a proven marksman who can link play and press defenders, offering a different profile alongside Conor Wilkinson. In midfield, Ben Worman’s arrival from Gateshead and the signing of Oscar Rutherford from Dagenham add creativity and legs to a unit that lacked spark at times last term.

Defensively, the club has strengthened with the double capture of Brad Nicholson and Cameron Green, both from Boston, and Tyler French from Sutton. Green in particular is seen as a player who can bring energy and versatility at left-back or wing-back, with over 100 appearances under his belt in the past two seasons. Manager Matt Taylor has emphasised the strong character and experience of his new signings, hinting at a squad built to be harder to beat and more dynamic in transition. While these signings won’t grab national headlines, they show a clear intent to add depth, character, and a bit more bite to a team that struggled for consistency last season.

Signings and retained list

New signings: Brad Nicholson (Boston United), Tyler French (Sutton United), Dan Creaney (Tamworth), Cameron Green (Boston United), Ben Worman (Gateshead), Oscar Rutherford (Dagenham & Redbridge), Rory Brown (Coleraine), Callum McFarlane (Fulham), Darius Lipsiuc (Stoke City, loan)
Retained: Olly Tipton, Bradley Stevenson, Laurie Walker, Jamey Osborne, Sam Bowen, Alex Whitmore, Conor Wilkinson, Finley Holmes, Kian Ryley, James Clarke, Szhem Whyte-Hall, Billy Corns (Academy)

Departures

Departures: Joe Newton, Marcel Oakley, Joss Labadie, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Ackeme Francis-Burrell, Joel Shambrook, Manny Duku, Elliot Thorpe (Braintree Town), Tyler Bruck, Morgan Owen, Gus Mafuta, Kade Craig, Aaron Flahavan, Joe Dodoo, Max Martin, Tahvon Campbell (Yeovil Town), John Bostock, Jack Stevens (Oldham)

Gaps & Fan Sentiment

There remain gaps:

A creative midfielder to dictate tempo.
Depth in wide areas if injuries strike.
Continued questions over defensive concentration late in games.

On the fan forums, frustration simmers with some wanting change, while others are ready to give Taylor a fair hearing at the upcoming fans’ forum. All agree: the excuses have run out, and visible progression is needed.

Prediction: Comfortable mid-table

Heading into 2025/26, Solihull’s challenge will be turning a mid-table core into a team capable of pushing higher, without the financial muscle of the division’s heavyweights. The permanent departure of Jack Stevens to Oldham removes a proven goalscoring outlet, increasing the reliance on Conor Wilkinson and Dan Creaney to carry the attacking burden. Much will now depend on how quickly new additions settle under Matt Taylor’s watch, with hopes that Creaney’s record and the fresh energy out wide can help turn last season’s draws into wins, while a reworked defence tightens up a side that too often let points slip. Creativity in central areas still feels in short supply, and there will be added pressure on Worman and Osborne to consistently drive the team forward.

Fan sentiment remains cautious, with Taylor needing a strong start to ease concerns after a mixed record since taking over. Budget constraints, a small but settled fanbase, and a manager still proving himself at this level mean that depth could be an issue for a sustained playoff push unless they hit form early and avoid injuries. A realistic target would be steady improvement into the top half, with a finish around 10th–12th a fair reflection of the current rebuild, while an outside playoff tilt will now require the new signings to click quickly and for senior players to remain fit throughout the campaign. 13th — but will feel they should do better.