Chey Dunkley Joins Moors on Loan

Chris Millington and his Solihull Moors team are facing an FC Halifax Town side led by their current Head Coach John McGrath at Damson Park in their latest game of the 2026/27 Enterprise National League season. A victory for The Moors would see them build momentum whilst also climbing up the fifth tier table. The Shaymen, who are the former club of Premier League winner Jamie Vardy, find themselves around the midtable region of the league table, and they know that a win would see them make ground on those above them. Millington’s side will, of course, have ambitions to prevent their opponents from securing all three crucial points. FC Halifax Town is, of course, a phoenix club. The original club was called Halifax Town Association Football Club, who were formed all the way back on 24 th May 1911. Formed at the Saddle Hotel, they played their football in the Yorkshire Combination and the Midland League before then becoming one of the founding members of the Football League Third Division North in 1921. They remained there until 1958, which was when there was a league restructuring, and subsequently they became members of the Football League Third Division. We will now fast forward to the 1970/71 season; they finished third, which was one place below promotion from the Football League Third Division. However, then in 1971/72, they were only just able to avoid relegation, doing so on goal difference after Rotherham United had lost on the final day of the season against Tranmere Rovers. However, in 1976, they were relegated down to Division Four. Then in 1993, they were relegated once again, this time to the Football Conference ahead of the following season, the 1993/94 campaign. In 1996/97, they avoided relegation under returning boss George Mullhall, which came after they had a few poor seasons and some financial problems. Then in the 1997/98 season, they had a superb campaign, winning the league title with the likes of Jamie Paterson, Mark Bradshaw, and Lee Martin in the squad. Their top goalscorer was Geoff Horsfield, who was able to find the back of the net on several occasions, with him scoring as many as 30 goals in the end. Chris Wilder was the boss when the club found themselves in the Conference again in the 2001/02 season, and in their first season back, they finished in 8 th place. In 2005/06, they finished in 4 th , but could not get promotion by losing to Hereford United in the Conference League Play-Off Final. Fast forward to 2007, The Shaymen found themselves in financial trouble again and were placed into administration by a local consortium. And, despite being deducted 10 points, they still survived relegation. They were still wound up after an appeal. Then in May 2008, things got worse for Halifax when they, following a major error, owed more than £800,000 to HMRC, with the club now more than £2 million in the red. They would cease to exist. It was also in 2008 that the phoenix club, FC Halifax Town, was formed who Solihull Moors will soon be facing once more. They were accepted to play in the Northern Premier League Division One North for the 2008/09 season. Neil Aspin was appointed manager in April 2009, and in his first season in charge, 2009/10, they had what turned out to be a very successful campaign, winning the league after amassing 100 points whilst scoring as many as 108 goals as a team in the process. In the 2010/11 season, they found themselves in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English Football. This was the season when they signed Leicester City legend and former England international Jamie Vardy. They got automatic promotion to the Conference North after beating Retford United 2 – 0, also securing them the league title. Vardy then left for Fleetwood Town in the early stages of the 2011/12 season, finishing third before then losing in the playoffs to Gainsborough Trinity 3 – 2 on aggregate. Promotion to the National League was sealed in 2012/13 when, after finishing in 5 th place, they beat local side Guiseley 3 – 1 on aggregate in the playoff semi-finals before then going on to get the better of Brackley Town in the final, with the solitary goal to win the game 1 – 0 coming from striker Lee Gregory. The fifth tier was now, and still is, the highest level that FC Halifax Town has ever been, and in their first season at this level, they got all the way to the promotion playoffs semi-final, where they would lose 2 – 1 to Cambridge United. Fast forward to 2015/16, and it saw them get relegated down to the sixth tier despite the best efforts of former North Ferriby United manager Billy Heath. They were able to make an immediate return to the National League after a third place finish in 2016/17, beating Chorley 2 – 1 after extra time in the final, after having beaten Salford City 3 – 0 on penalties in the semi-finals after the scoreline was level at 1 – 1 after extra time. It was in 2018 when FC Halifax Town became full time, with Pete Wild taking over from former boss Jamie Fullarton. They lost out in the playoffs semi finals 2 – 1 to Boreham Wood in 2018/19 before a 10 th place finish the following season. The 2021/22 season was a great one for Halifax, who were able to achieve their highest ever position in the English Football Pyramid since their formation back in May 2008. They were able to finish in 4 th place, getting into the playoffs where they lost 2 – 1 at home to Chesterfield. Shortly after, Pete Wild left the club for League Two side Barrow, with Wild being replaced by the current Solihull Moors boss Chris Millington. The club reached the National League playoffs again in the 2023/24 season when they finished in 7 th place, losing 4 – 2 to the aforementioned Solihull Moors. They were then eliminated again the next season, this time losing 4 – 0 to Oldham Athletic in 2024/25. Then in June 2025, Adam Lakeland took charge as their new manager before then leaving back in April 2026, when he took charge of Morecambe after finishing in 8 th place. Current boss John McGrath was then announced as his successor in May 2026. In 2026/27, McGrath’s Shaymen will be hoping to finish in the top half, and maybe finish in the playoffs once again. In the opposition dugout – John McGrath Current Halifax boss John McGrath has been in charge ever since he took over back on 19 th May 2026, replacing Adam Lakeland in the Shaymen dugout. Before joining the team, he was in charge of National League club Buxton, where he was in charge for two years between May 2024 and May 2026, when he left for FC Halifax Town. Before that stint with Buxton, he was in charge of Mickleover, which was his first job in senior club management. He was with them for as many as 8 years, from 2016 to 2024, when he left for the aforementioned Buxton FC. McGrath also had a playing career that lasted for more than 20 years, 21 years to be exact, from 2001 to 2022. He represented the likes of Aston Villa (2001 - 2003), Dagenham & Redbridge (Loan, 2002 - 2003), Doncaster Rovers (2003 - 2005), Shrewsbury Town (Loan, 2004), Kidderminster Harriers (2005), Limerick (2005), Weymouth (2006), Tamworth (2006 - 2007), Burton Albion (2007 - 2013), York City (Loan, 2013), Alfreton Town (2013 - 2014), and finally the aforementioned Mickleover from 2015 to his retirement in 2022. Key Player – Zak Gilsenan Halifax’s key player is arguably wide forward Zak Gilsenan, with the 23 year old being their joint top goal scorer this season so far with 3, tied with Ben Tollitt. Gilsenan is a new signing for The Shaymen, having joined from Grimsby Town back on 6 th July 2026, signing a one year deal with an option of an additional year. Other clubs that Gilsenan has played for include the likes of Blackburn Rovers (2023 - 2025), the aforementioned Grimsby Town (2025 - 2026), Buxton (Loan, 2026), Gateshead (Loan, 2026), and, of course, current club Halifax Town, from July 2026. Gilsenan has also spent time as a youth player for the likes of Carramar Cougars, Sorrento (leaving in 2011), Perth Glory (2011 - 2012), FC Barcelona (2012 – 2014), Liverpool (2014 - 2019), and finally Blackburn in 2019, being promoted to their senior team back in 2023. 

A superb performance by Solihull Moors secured a 4-2 victory against Woking at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Tuesday night in the National League. Two new signings were announced before kick-off, with defensive duo Chey Dunkley, and Carter Pinnington both making their debut for The Moors. Jacob Wakeling opened the scoring for Solihull, only to see his side pegged back with a fine finish from Matt Ward. John Marquis then put Woking ahead, before Jamie Andrews equalised from 20 yards with his first goal for The Moors. Scott High then curled in an exquisite finish from outside the box to send the away side in 3-2 ahead, at the end of a roller coaster first half. The second half was a much tighter affair, with Woking having defender Jaiden Putman sent off on 56 minutes, before another wonderful Andrews strike sealed the game and sent Chris Millington's men home with a huge 3 points. Kick-off A bright start to the first 45 by both sides was a sign of things to come, with Woking and Solihull testing each other's defence early on. GOAL - 6' Moors. A flicked ball by Carson was misread by Steven Turner, and fell to Scott High, who took full advantage by playing an inch-perfect pass into Wakeling, who's left-footed shot from a tight angle was too powerful for Woking goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen, with the ball going under his body at the near post. 0-1 Down the other end, new signing Chey Dunkley was already showing exactly why he was brought to the club. His first two significant moments were a sliding block to deny a tap in, and then deflecting Ward's follow-up strike just over the bar as Woking pushed for an equaliser. Woking striker John Marquis, who looked a threat from the beginning, was almost put through on goal, but Moors keeper Metcalfe was alert to the danger, beating the Woking man to the ball on a couple of occasions. Another dangerous Woking attack followed, with Shadrach Ogie steaming down the left wing, only to see his cross blocked by the impressive Dunkley. GOAL - 23' Woking. Roy Syla won the ball in the middle for the home team, then sent Ward through on the right-hand side of the box, the Woking man found himself with time to take a couple of touches, before unleashing a thunderous, swerving shot past Metcalfe. 1-1 Immediately after the goal, High broke down the right, but his cross was just short of the on rushing Wakeling. GOAL - 25' Woking. Turner fed a ball into Kelly, which he brilliantly chipped through to Marquis, who's scuffed shot was beyond the reach of Metcalfe. 2-1 GOAL - 27' Moors. From the resulting kick-off, Millington's side put together a wonderful team move that saw almost 20 passes without the home side getting a touch of the ball. It ended up with the tenacious Andrews driving through to the edge of the box before unleashing a screamer from around 20 yards. 2-2 A penalty shout followed for Woking after some brave goalkeeping from Metcalfe again, who was quickest as Ward raced through on goal. Metcalfe came sliding out to get a vital touch, before Dunkley cleared the danger. Both players then stayed down and required treatment before play could continue. GOAL - 45' Moors. Just a couple of minutes after coming on for Ryan Woods, Florent Hoti won the ball, which then fell to Wakeling, who found High on the edge of the area, and The Moors midfielder whipped a sensational left-footed strike into the far corner to put the Midlands side into the lead again. 2-3 Second half Woking won a corner seconds into the second half, with Tyrell Warren doing well to head the ball out and away from danger. Half time sub Aiden O'Brien's header from the corner was just over the bar. With Woking searching for a goal, Warren again got a good block in, and Pinnington, also did well to get his foot in ahead of the home sides attackers a couple of times as The Moors held on, before Putman, out on the left, then cut in and had a decent effort at goal, but Metcalfe was well positioned to catch the shot. RED CARD - 56' Woking. While trying to dispossess Jaiden Putman, the Woking defender went down under a challenge by Joe Sbarra, Putman then appeared to strike The Moors midfielder, and referee Jason Richardson issued a straight red card. A huge blow for Jake Hyde's side, after starting the second half on the front foot. Sbarra received a yellow card for the initial foul. O'Brien and Shadrach Ogie looked lively for Woking, O'Brien's trickery and Ogie's pace were a constant threat. The two combined to create a chance for sealer on the edge of the box, his shot deflecting safely into the arms of Metcalfe. Defender Tyler French made a welcome. return from a long injury lay-off, replacing new-boy Pinnington who was solid and assured on his Moors debut. GOAL - 77' Moors. Some great determination again by Hoti to win possession in the middle of the park, who then played a one-two with Wakeling, before having an effort blocked. The ball then fell nicely to Matty Carson, who rolled across to Andrews, and the midfield man calmly slotted into the back of Jaaskelainen's net to score his second of the game against his former side. Andrews, looking for a hat-trick, tried his luck from distance, but the strike was deflected wide for a corner. From the corner, Jevon Mills saw a header go just wide of the post. Another chance for the Moors to score a fifth followed, Hoti and fellow sub Junior Tiensia combined on the edge of the box, with the latter whipping in a low cross that Wakeling was agonisingly close to getting a touch on. Although the striker may possibly have been flagged for offside had the ball ended up in the net. Another substitute, Rio Shipston then tried his luck from long range after a fast Moors break. Woking continued to huff and puff, but ultimately found the Solihull defence, and Metcalfe, too difficult to crack. The Moors keeper brilliantly tipped a powerful Harrison Sohna's drive onto the post in injury time, before Marquis had an effort trickle inches wide as Millington's side held on for a valuable win on the road. Full time - Woking 2-4 Solihull Moors. Man of the match - Jamie Andrews. All in all, a terrific result and performance away from home against a tough Woking team, who only a few days ago put 5 goals past Carlisle. Hopefully the result can provide a platform to build on, as Chris Millington and his squad aim to climb our way back up the table. A massive thank you to each and every one of the 35 fans that travelled to Woking. The level of commitment to make a 230+ mile round trip for our club midweek is impeccable. Hopefully those 3 points made it worthwhile, and you have a safe journey home💛💙 Next up Another home double header as Damson Park plays host to FC Halifax on Saturday 3rd October, 3pm kick-off in the Enterprise National League, followed by a National League Cup tie against Newcastle U21's on Tuesday 6th October, 7pm kick-off. Tickets for FC Halifax can be purchased on the link below - https://solihullmoorsfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/solihull_moors_v_fc_halifax_town2627?version=m COYM💛💙 Written by Scott Cattell

Football is so much more than ninety minutes on a pitch. It’s about belonging, finding your voice, and discovering that your physical boundaries don't define your potential. When my son Ted first joined the Solihull Moors Foundation Ability Counts sessions at five years old, the world was navigating the height of COVID-19. Ted lives with hemiplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy that affects half of his body. Finding an environment where he was not only accommodated, but truly understood and encouraged, was vital. Six years later, Ted has just turned 11, and looking back on his journey with Solihull Moors shows how transformative inclusive sport can be. More Than Just a Game: Confidence, Community, and Community Spirit Over the last six years, Ted’s weekly sessions with Moors haven't just developed his footballing skills—they have reshaped his confidence. Through continuous training sessions and local tournaments, he has built lasting friendships with teammates who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of living with a disability. The inclusive, uplifting culture at Solihull Moors provided Ted with a safe space to test his limits, fall in love with the game, and dream big. A Spark Lit at the CP Euros The pivotal moment in Ted's journey came last year at the CP Euros. Watching elite players with Cerebral Palsy compete at the highest level, and meeting the England national team in person, showed Ted exactly what was possible. Inspired by seeing athletes like him represent their country, Ted took a huge step: trialling for the England Para-Pathway. Thanks to the strong foundation he built at Moors, Ted was accepted onto the scheme. Today, he trains at the regional Para-Pathway hub at Aston Villa’s indoor facility, working hard every week toward his ultimate goal: one day putting on the England shirt and representing his country. A Heartfelt Thanks to Solihull Moors Foundation None of this would have been possible without the unwavering commitment, care, and belief of everyone involved with the Solihull Moors Foundation. Special recognition must go to Scott Langford. Scott’s dedication, patience, and ability to see the potential in every child who walks onto the pitch have been instrumental in Ted's growth, both as a player and as a young boy. Coaches like Scott don't just teach football; they change lives. Get Involved: Give Your Child the Chance to Play. If you are a parent of a child with a physical disability, neurodivergence, or additional needs, know that there is a place where your child can thrive. The Solihull Moors Foundation Ability. Counts sessions offer an inclusive, supportive, joyful environment where every player can shine. Ted’s journey started with a single session at five years old. Today, he’s chasing his dream of playing for England.