NL 2025/26 Preview: Tamworth

7th July 2025 8:40 pm

Tamworth – 2025/26 Season Preview: Farewells, Foundations & Forward Momentum

Tamworth are back. Not just back in the National League — but back on the radar.

Last season’s 10th-place finish was a statement from Andy Peaks and his squad. A proper return to the top tier of non-league football, built on grit, cohesion, and a handful of standout individual performances. They weren’t just making up the numbers — they were swinging punches, pushing playoff hopefuls and giving Premier League Tottenham Hotspur a scare in a historic FA Cup tie.

But heading into 2025/26, Tamworth must rebuild without two of their most influential figures — top scorer Dan Creaney and fan favourite Kyle Finn. Both depart with heartfelt messages and the club’s blessing. Now, it’s about how Peaks adapts, replaces, and re-energises.

2024/25 Season in Review

Final Position: 10th
Average Attendance: 1,306 (22nd in NL)
FA Cup: 3rd Round – lost 0–3 AET vs Tottenham Hotspur (H)
FA Trophy: 4th Round – lost 0–1 vs Sutton United (A)
Top Scorer: Dan Creaney (19 goals)
Key Player: Haydn Hollis

A season of progress, pride, and profile-raising. Creaney’s goals powered a mid-table push, while the Spurs tie brought national exposure and a packed Lamb Ground.

Summer Activity

Tamworth approach the 2025/26 National League season with cautious optimism and a flurry of fresh faces, hoping to build on last year’s solid return to Step 1.

The headline departure is still top scorer Ben Creaney, whose move to Solihull leaves a noticeable void in the final third. Andy Peaks was candid about the club’s efforts to keep him, but ultimately the Lambs couldn’t compete with full-time terms. Creaney’s goals, presence, and reliability will be hard to replace — but Peaks has moved decisively to address the issue.

The arrivals of Manny Duku, a physical and experienced striker from Solihull, and Oli Lynch, a highly rated Luton Town forward on loan after a prolific spell at Hemel Hempstead, offer two very different solutions up top. Both will be crucial if Tamworth are to stay competitive. Duku brings know-how at this level, while Lynch arrives with confidence and a track record of goals in Step 2. Meanwhile, the additions of Tyler Roberts and Joe Riley from AFC Fylde should inject energy out wide, and Alfie Bates (Brackley) adds technical quality in the middle. Stefan Mols, fresh from a strong year at Curzon Ashton, is another intriguing midfield option, while Harvey Sayer and Reuben Wyatt bring youthful energy.

Defensively, Tamworth will hope to remain as organised as they were last season, and new additions like right wing-back Kwaku Donkor (Blackpool) and centre-back Joe Rye (on loan from Barnet) give Peaks more flexibility and depth at the back. The loss of Kyle Finn, who leaves due to family reasons, will be felt — but overall, Tamworth’s summer business suggests a squad being rebuilt with balance in mind.

With part-time status still a limiting factor, Tamworth will need to hit the ground running. Last year’s structure and work rate laid the foundation for mid-table comfort, and if this new blend of youth, experience, and EFL loanees can gel quickly, there’s no reason why they can’t aim for a similar finish. But lose momentum early — or struggle to replace Creaney’s cutting edge — and they could find themselves looking over their shoulder in an increasingly unforgiving division.

Signings and retained list

New signings: Tyler Roberts (AFC Fylde), Harvey Sayer (Lowestoft Town), Alfie Bates (Brackley), Reuben Wyatt (Northampton), Joe Riley (AFC Fylde), Manny Duku (Solihull Moors), Stefan Mols (Curzon Ashton), Joe Rye (Barnet, season loan), Kwaku Donkor (Blackpool), Oli Lynch (Luton, loan until December)
Retained: Jas Singh, Ben Milnes (©), Callum Cockerill-Mollett, Kai Lissimore, Leon Phillips, Luke Fairlamb, Jordan Ponticelli, Tom McGlinchey, Haydn Hollis, Tom Tonks, Beck-Ray Enoru, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Matt Curley, Kennedy Digie

Departures

Departures: Dan Creaney (to Solihull Moors), Kyle Finn (to Halesowen Town), Munashe Sundire (to Torquay United), Alex Fletcher (AFC Telford United), Jamie Willets, Kai Williams (Hereford)
Loans returned: Ben Crompton (returned to Sunderland, now at Ross County)

Under Peaks, Tamworth play an organised, structured brand of football that blends directness with moments of controlled possession, particularly using Milnes to recycle play and the pace and trickery of Enoru to stretch defences. They have typically operated with a solid 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 shape, pressing in organised waves rather than a relentless high press, prioritising shape and transitions. The wide areas are used to get crosses into the box, where the now-departed Creaney thrived, while the midfield works tirelessly to cover spaces and win second balls. Peaks demands discipline, and his sides are rarely easy to break down, relying on set-pieces and fast counter-attacks to create chances. The challenge this year will be maintaining that solidity while finding new ways to score goals, with leadership and consistency from the retained core set to be crucial in ensuring Tamworth can remain competitive in the National League’s demanding environment.

Prediction

Tamworth’s return to the National League was everything fans hoped for: competitive, compelling, and crowned by that unforgettable Spurs encounter at The Lamb ground. But as phase two begins, the landscape has changed. Creaney’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled, while Finn’s exit robs the team of attacking unpredictability. For a part-time side, losing that kind of output and presence matters, and while Andy Peaks’ side remains well-organised and spirited, the margins in this division are thin.

There’s still plenty to admire in Peaks’ project, and the retained spine of Hollis, Milnes and Ponticelli gives them a fighting chance most weeks. But replacing goals while staying tight at the back will be a weekly test, and Tamworth may find themselves in more battles at the wrong end of the table this time around. They should have enough to stay up, with Peaks’ nous and the team’s work ethic seeing them through, but a season spent looking over their shoulder feels more likely than a flirtation with the top half.