Pre-Season Round Up & A Look at Harrogate Away

Solihull Moors will get their 2026/27 National League campaign underway this weekend, as they make the trip to newly-relegated side Harrogate Town.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Tickets for this fixture can be purchased here Supporters must not that there will be no sales on the day in person and all tickets are sold/facilitated online and over the phone only. Seating and standing tickets are available, with disability spaces also available. Travel Tickets for our official supporters coach can be purchased here Car Park Directions to Parking Area From the A1 take the A661 and turn Left at the traffic Lights onto Hookstone Drive. Then turn left onto Hookstone Wood Road, follow the road until you reach the Large car park located within the sports centre.

Solihull Moors are delighted to announce that Academy graduate Charlie Footes has signed his first professional contract with the Club. The young striker has committed his future to the Moors after progressing through the Club's Academy, marking another milestone in the continued development of the Academy pathway into first-team football. Footes has been a familiar face around the first-team environment over the past season, earning places in Chris Millington's matchday squads, including National League Cup fixtures, while continuing his development through valuable senior experience with Studley FC. A product of the Moors Academy, Charlie also represented the Club in the FA Youth Cup, consistently impressing throughout his time within the youth system before taking the next step into the senior setup. His professional contract is another example of the opportunities available to young players at Solihull Moors, with the Club continuing to invest in developing homegrown talent and providing a genuine pathway from Academy football into the first team. Myles Cooper, Head of Academy, said: “Charlie's journey represents exactly what our Academy is designed to produce. He has developed across every area of the programme - technically, physically, academically, and as a person. His progression through the academy teams, into the FA Youth Cup squad, into senior football at Steps 4 & 5, and now into Chris Millington's first-team environment has been the product of sustained hard work, outstanding attitude, and a willingness to be coached. This is the pathway working as it should, and we look forward to supporting his continued development at first-team level." Chris Millington, First Team Manager, added: “Charlie has made good progress since ending last season with the youth team and then starting preseason with the first team. He has shown a new level of maturity in his play, and we believe he can continue to grow and develop as a player in the first team. Myles, the academy staff and the academy players should be proud and encouraged by Charlie’s progression it’s an exciting time for the academy. For Charlie, he’s achieved his first goal and the hard work starts now." Charlie Footes said: “I’m really proud to sign my first professional contract with Solihull Moors. It’s something I’ve been working towards for the last few seasons since I joined the academy 2 years ago. It’s taken a lot of hard work and commitment to get to this point. I have to thank Myles and Chris for giving me the opportunity; their belief in me has given me the chance to express what I’m about in games with my attacking and defensive attitude. Hopefully I can repay them with more of the same energy throughout the season" Everyone at Solihull Moors would like to congratulate Charlie on signing his first professional contract and wish him every success as he begins the next chapter of his journey in blue and yellow.

Everyone at Solihull Moors Foundation is incredibly proud to see Ability Counts player Callum featured by Birmingham Live, sharing his inspiring story and the positive impact football has had on his life. Callum's feature shines a light on the importance of creating inclusive opportunities through sport, while highlighting the confidence, friendships and sense of belonging that programmes such as Ability Counts can provide for players with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). At Solihull Moors Foundation, we're committed to ensuring football is accessible to everyone, providing a welcoming environment where players of all abilities can enjoy the game, develop new skills and thrive both on and off the pitch. We're incredibly proud of Callum for sharing his story and helping to raise awareness of the opportunities that inclusive football can provide. A huge congratulations to Callum on this fantastic feature, and a thank you to Birmingham Live for helping to showcase the power of community football. If you'd like to become part of our Ability Counts programme, whether as a player or as a volunteer, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with Scott Langford by emailing Scott.Langford@solihullmoorsfc.co.uk to find out more about how you can get involved and support inclusive football in your community. Read Callum's story here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/i-good-them-meet-disabled-34368562?fbclid=IwdGRjcATb7mRwZG9mAWZkaWQWULvLo-EYHGvATd_uNoZcN6HR99gr0GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7aZVu5wgrb9V_qUH0Y8QYMkxLpY6IkTgxkhN9BkCjWuXCBNY_nE6n0o6VhRQ_aem_aNRkzuUstCrdIM4u4oKW7A

National League football is back. And for the 2026/27 season, DAZN is returning with its biggest-ever coverage of the National League, giving fans in the UK more opportunities than ever to watch their team live. Entering its third year as the exclusive global broadcaster of the competition, DAZN will deliver its most comprehensive live coverage of the National League in the UK to date. Every National League club will feature live more than 30 times live across the season, with more than 400 matches broadcast live across the National League, National League North and National League South, including at least four live fixtures every match week. The opening month of the season will see unprecedented coverage in the UK, with every National League match across the first five match weeks - a total of 60 games in August - available live on DAZN. In addition, new fixture scheduling will see regular Friday night games for the first time ever. Supporters in the UK will also have access to highlights and full match replays of every National League fixture. The National League remains the home of Proper Football - authentic rivalries, packed terraces, local pride and drama that matters. DAZN's expanded coverage means supporters will be able to experience more of those moments than ever before. As the exclusive global home of the National League, every National League match will be available live to fans around the world, alongside highlights and full match replays of every game on demand. DAZN’s Chief Executive Officer Shay Segev says; “The National League embodies everything that makes football special - passionate supporters, historic clubs, fierce rivalries and unforgettable moments. As we enter our third season as the exclusive global home of the National League, we're proud to deliver our biggest and most ambitious coverage yet, giving fans more opportunities than ever to follow their club live. This season represents a major step forward, with every National League club set to feature live more than 30 times and unprecedented coverage across the opening month of the campaign. Whether you're watching from the terraces, your living room or anywhere else in the world, DAZN is bringing supporters closer to the action and the stories that make this competition so compelling. We’re looking forward to showcasing all the drama, authenticity and community spirit of the National League to audiences across the UK and around the globe." Supporters can choose from a range of flexible viewing options for the 2026/27 National League season. The Season Pass is available for £129.99 , offering live access to every National League match throughout the campaign (or on demand where blackout restrictions apply), with more than 400 exclusive live matches, every play-off fixture and final across all three divisions, full match replays and highlights, plus a selection of live National League North and South matches. Fans can also spread the cost with an Annual (Pay Monthly) plan at £14.99 per month , or opt for the flexibility of a Monthly Pass at £19.99 per month . With local derbies, promotion six-pointers, relegation battles and last-minute winners, the National League delivers the football experience supporters fell in love with in the first place. This season, fans can follow their club more than ever before with DAZN's biggest National League offering yet - because this is Proper Football, live and exclusively on National League TV on DAZN. How to Watch the National League on DAZ DAZN is the home of the National League, streaming over 600 games a season live and on demand. Watching on DAZN is simple and easy. Get started: 1. Download the DAZN app on your smart TV, phone, tablet, console, or streaming device - or visit www.DAZN.com 2. Create an account or log in. 3. Select the National League and choose your subscription plan (Annual or Monthly Flex). ● Watch live or on demand, anytime, anywhere. ● Need help? Visit the DAZN Support Page . 

The Moors concluded their pre-season fixtures with a defeat at the hands of Northampton at Damson Park. Manager Chris Millington made just the one change to today's team as Rio Shipston came into the starting 11, while Ben Worman, our goalscorer in midweek against Burton, began the game on the bench. It was Millington's men who started on the front foot, taking the lead after just 5 minutes when left-back Cam Green put The Moors ahead with a powerful right-footed drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, after having his first shot well blocked. Solihull looked more and more comfortable as the game went on, dominating the midfield battle, with Shipston, High and Sbarra dictating the tempo with their work rate and slick passing, Shipston in particular snapping into challenges and winning back possession on several occasions against our League Two opposition. Unfortunately, Shipston took a knock around 20 minutes in, getting caught by a late challenge on the touchline. Despite his best efforts to carry on, he was forced off shortly after, being replaced with Ben Worman on the 25-minute mark. Alex Whitmore was agonisingly close to putting his side 2 ahead, heading a lovely cross from Sbarra narrowly wide after rising highest in the box. Wakeling then had a free kick in a dangerous area, only to hit the wall as the pressure was piled onto the visitors. Northampton, who finished bottom of League One last season, equalised in the 32nd minute after a moment of magic from Kamarai Swyer. The winger burst down the right flank and beat 2 players, before holding off a challenge from Worman to lay the ball across to Matty Warhurst, who made no mistake from 4 yards out. Not content with pulling level, The Cobblers went ahead on 36, Connor Evans the man to convert from close range, Swyer with another assist from the right. 51 minutes in, an extremely soft penalty was awarded to Northampton. Half-time substitute Ben Wodskou appeared to make very little contact, but the referee pointed straight to the spot. Elliott List tucked it into the bottom corner, leaving Nat Ford with no chance. 3-1 Northampton. Ford was forced to make up for his own mistake 2 minutes later, a rushed clearance was played straight back to the opposition, leading to a great chance at the back post. Ford got down well to deny the attacker. The game was put out of reach in the 64th minute, with Moors defender Alex Whitmore off the pitch receiving treatment for a knock, Swyer was yet again the thorn in The Moors side, firing a great effort off the inside of the post, which fell straight to the feet of substitute Sam Hoskins, who fired in at the second attempt to put his side 3 goals ahead, and 4-1 up. Wakeling scored the final goal of an exciting, end-to-end contest. Green's free kick was nodded back across goal and fell to Wakeling who reacted fastest to give his side hope by netting from close-range. Conor Wilkinson tried to reduce the scoreline further, firing just over the bar with the final kick of the game. It wasn't the result we wanted to end pre-season with, but it was another solid workout against a higher level opposition where we more than held our own for large parts. Good luck to Northampton in their upcoming League Two season. Thank you for your support today, Moors fans. We look forward to seeing you in the upcoming season. Our first home game is Boston on the 15th August, following the season opener away at Harrogate on the 8th. Purchase your season tickets using the link below to make sure you don't miss any of the action - https://solihullmoorsfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/events/1078557/seating_arrangement?version=m Match report written by Scott Cattel

Solihull Moors will conclude their pre-season action this weekend as we play host to League Two side Northampton Town at Damson Park. The Moors had a slow start to pre-season with defeats to Knowle and Birmingham City and a draw with Alvechurch. However, back-to-back victories against National League North sides Hednesford Town and Hereford, as well as an impressive display against League One side Burton Albion, has seen a potentially positive end to pre-season. This weekend will see the Moors host Northampton Town in our final match before next week’s season opener against Harrogate Town. Here is everything you need to know for the visit of League Two outfit Northampton Town. —— An overview of Northampton Town: The Cobblers are back in League Two for the first time since the 2022/23 campaign, as a result of their relegation after finishing bottom of the third tier. Last season, the club lost 29 of their 46 matches and as a result have now undergone a busy summer with a plethora of new faces through the door. Northampton have already picked up a draw against Premier League side Coventry City but have lost to both Leicester City and Birmingham City in their respective pre-season. The club have got former Ipswich Town midfielder Grant Ward on trial, whilst adding the likes of Matty Warhurst, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Harvey Saunders to try and seal an immediate return to League One. —— Head-to-head: The two clubs have met in youth football and women’s football, but there hasn’t been a competitive, senior fixture between the two sides. —— Tickets: Tickets for Saturday’s clash against Northampton are available to purchase online here and are available on the gate. The prices are as follows; Adults: £9.00 Under 18s: £6.00 There are no additional fees when purchasing your tickets, as the £1 booking fee is already included in the ticket price (£8 to £9). Reminder that children U14 need to be accompanied by an adult as per National League stadium regulations. —— Getting to the Stadium: The stadium is located just three miles (10 minutes) from Solihull station, or 4.8 miles (13 minutes) from Birmingham International station. Similarly, local taxi services from either station are available, as is on-site parking, though spaces are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternatively, the x12 bus service will be running both before and after the game – available to catch from either of the two train stations mentioned above. —— In the dugout – Chris Hogg: The man in the hot seat for the Cobblers this weekend is former Ipswich Town and Hibernian defender Chris Hogg. The 41-year-old retired from playing back in 2015, and immediately took on the role as a youth coach with Ipswich Town – managing their U18s and U23S sides, before moving on to Newcastle United. His work continued with assistant managerial roles with Bristol City, Oxford United, MK Dons and Norwich City – but stepped into the managerial role for the first time this summer – tasked with trying to bring the Cobblers back into League One. Though he hasn’t taken charge of a competitive fixture yet, the club have picked up a couple of impressive results under his guidance so far. —— We hope to see as many of you as possible ahead of Saturday’s clash with Northampton Town. COYM 🟡🔵 Match preview written by Callum Moseley

Chris Millington’s Solihull Moors are set to bring their 2026/27 pre-season preparations to a close when they welcome Northampton Town, led by Manager Chris Hogg, to Damson Park on Saturday afternoon. The Moors come into this game having earned a very credible 1 – 1 draw in our most recent friendly against Burton Albion on Tuesday evening. As for The Cobblers, they recently faced fellow League Two outfit Cambridge United at the Cledara Abbey Stadium earlier on this week, where they came away with a goalless draw in the end. Northampton Town are a football club who have an extensive history, having been founded all the way back on 9th March 1897. They were formed when a group of school teachers from the local area, together with solicitor AJ ‘Pat’ Darnell, met at the Princess Royal Inn on Wellingborough Road. They were to be the first football club to be formed in the town. After the local rugby club objected to their original name, the new football club was to change its name to how it is known to this day – Northampton Town Football Club. They began life in the Northants League, where they spent two seasons during which they recorded their first transfer fee - £50 – which was received from Derby County for Frank ‘Hall’ Howard. They won the County Championship in what was their second ever season before then spending a further two years in the Midland League ahead of joining the Southern League in the 1901/02 season. During that campaign, they suffered an 11- 0 defeat to Southampton, which remains the club’s record defeat in a competitive match. Herbert Chapman, one of English Football’s first great managers, managed the Cobblers in the early twentieth century before departing for Leeds United at the start of the 1912/13 season, before going on to win league championships leading the likes of Huddersfield Town and Arsenal before his death in 1934. In the three years prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, Northampton would finish in 7th, 9th, and 17th place respectively in the Division Three (South). Fast forward to 1952/53, they managed to finish as high as third place in this same division, with them just two points off the title winners, who were Bristol Rovers, even after the club had scored an astonishing 109 goals over the course of the campaign. They spent a brief time in the Fourth Division before eventually going on to finally win the Third Division title in the 1962/63 season, scoring another 109 goals. Additionally, a total of five members of their squad were able to score double figures in terms of goals, with Alec Ashworth scoring the most with 25 in just 30 matches overall. He went on to leave the club for Preston North End for a fee of around £20,000. Their 1965/66 campaign stands out in the club’s history as the only season (so far) that the Cobblers have ever spent in the top flight in England. It of course saw them relegated that season, which was confirmed following a 4 – 2 defeat to Fulham in front of what was a 24,523 strong crowd at the County Ground. The club were relegated again, this time down to Division Three, the following season, which was the 1966/67 season. Their only double was against Aston Villa, who are the only club that the Cobblers have a 100% record against, though they have only ever met competitively twice, having not met since the 1960s. They were almost relegated again in the 1967/68 season, finishing in 18th place in the end. Fast forward to their 1969/70 season, they played nine games in the FA Cup that term, which was a run that ended in an 8 – 2 defeat at the hands of the famous Manchester United in the Fifth Round Proper, where George Best scored six goals, a double hat-trick. Graham Carr, who is of course the father of famous Comedian and Celebrity Traitors Winner Alan Carr, became Northampton Town boss for the final seven games of the 1984/85 season, winning six and drawing one, which gave him the permanent job. An 8th place finish was achieved in his first season in the fourth tier before then going on to win the Fourth Division title the following campaign in the 1986/87 season. They accumulated a record total of 99 points whilst scoring 103 goals as a team, with their top scorer being Richard Hill with a grand total of 29. Tuesday 12th October 1994 was the final ever game at the club’s former ground, The County Ground, being defeated narrowly 1 – 0 by Mansfield Town. Subsequently, their first game at their current stadium, Sixfields, was a 1 – 1 draw against Barnet on Saturday 15th October 1994. In 1997, Northampton were playing at Wembley for what was the first time in 100 years, with them beating Swansea City to win the play-off final in the English Capital. After promotion, they then lost at Wembley against Grimsby Town the season after that. They finally returned to Division Two in 2000. After the collapse of ITV Digital, the Cobblers had to launch an appeal so they could see out the remainder of the season. And after failed takeover attempts, including the reported one involving John Fashanu and Giovanni Di Stefano, a total of £230,000 was raised by the fans in order to save the club. A takeover then took place in what was a consortium led by Andrew Ellis, taking over as majority shareholder in December 2002. In the 2005/06 campaign, Northampton Town won promotion to League One automatically, which was confirmed following a 1 – 0 win over Chester at Sixfields in front of a jubilant crowd on 29th April 2006. The likes of Sean Dyche, Ian Taylor, Eoin Jess, and Scott McGleish were signed ahead of their latest stint in the third tier, with John Gorman taking over from Colin Calderwood ahead of the new campaign, after Calderwood had left for Nottingham Forest. They finished in the top half of League One in 2007/08, before being relegated back to League Two the following campaign. In September 2010, Northampton Town were able to beat Liverpool at Anfield in the Carling Cup, led by club legend Ian Sampson. He left in March 2011 after spending 17 years at the club as player, coach, and manager, with him also the second-highest appearance maker in the club’s history. He was replaced by Aidy Boothroyd. In the 2019/20 League Two play-offs, they beat Cheltenham Town and Exeter City, defeating the latter 4 – 0 to secure their emphatic return to League One football. They were in League Two again under Jon Brady in the 2021/22 season, entering the playoffs after being denied promotion following an astonishing 7 – 0 win for Bristol Rovers against Scunthorpe United on the final day of the season. Brady would leave the club in December 2024, before Kevin Nolan, the former Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, and West Ham United midfielder, took charge, steering his new side to safety. Then, in March/April 2025, the club opened the new LCS East Stand following the redevelopment. Last season (2025/26), Northampton Town were relegated back down to League Two, which was a campaign that included a dreadful run of 11 defeats in a row, with the aforementioned Nolan leaving the club in March 2026. They did, though, at least manage to reach the semi-finals of that season’s EFL Trophy, which was the club’s best ever run in this competition. The Cobblers will be hoping to secure their return to League One with promotion from League Two by the end of the upcoming 2026/27 campaign. In the opposition dugout – Chris Hogg Chris Hogg is the current Manager of Northampton Town Football Club, with the former defender having been appointed by the club back on Monday 18th May 2026. The Cobblers’ upcoming 2026/27 campaign will be his first in charge of the Cobblers. This is also Hogg’s first ever season as a First Team Manager. During his playing career that spanned twelve years between 2003 and 2015, playing for the likes of Ipswich Town (2003 - 2005), Boston United (Loan, 2003; Loan, 2003 - 2004), Hibernian (2005 - 2011), Inverness Caledonian Thistle (2011 - 2013), and finally non-league side Needham Market from 2014 to 2015. Key Player – Tom Eaves One of the key players for Chris Hogg’s Northampton Town side is undoubtedly striker Tom Eaves. He was their leading goalscorer in the league last season with 8, with him scoring the most for the club in all competitions with a total of 10 overall. Eaves began his playing career back in 2009 with Oldham Athletic, leaving in 2010. He has since represented the likes of Bolton Wanderers (2010 - 2016), Bristol Rovers (Loan, 2012 - 2013), Shrewsbury Town (Loan, 2013 & 2013 - 2014), Rotherham United (Loan, 2013 & 2022 - 2024), Yeovil Town (Loan, 2014 – 2015 & 2016 - 2017), Bury (Loan, 2015), Gillingham (2017 - 2019), Hull City (2019 - 2022), joining Northampton back on 12th July 2024 on what was an initial two year deal. Opposition Preview written by Adam Holt