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FC Halifax Town impress fans after confirming appointment of their new manager

FC Halifax Town impress fans after confirming appointment of Adam Lakeland as their new first team manager ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Adam Lakeland’s managerial career in men’s football began with roles at Curzon Ashton (assistant manager) and Northwich Victoria (first-team manager).

He then joined Farsley Celtic, where he secured a playoff finish, a West Riding County FA Cup, and a Northern Premier League title, earning promotion to the National League North.

After an unexpected departure, he managed Curzon Ashton to mid-table finishes in two seasons.

Most recently, at King’s Lynn Town, he navigated a relegation battle in his first season before guiding them to the play-offs in 2024/25.

Lakeland holds a UEFA A Coaching License, favors a 4-2-3-1 formation, and averages 1.37 points per game.

His next match with FC Halifax Town (The Shaymen) is a pre-season friendly against his hometown club, Clitheroe FC.

Fans on social media said they optimistic about his potential to lead the team to success with time.

HALIFAX STATEMENT:

We can announce new First Team Manager Adam Lakeland.

Adam joins The Shaymen following a successful spell at King’s Lynn Town where he secured survival in his first season before securing a play-off finish last time out.

Following a lengthy spell as manager of Blackburn Rovers Women, Adam joined Curzon Ashton as first team coach, where they achieved back-to-back promotions. In 2016, Adam joined Northwich Victoria as manager and they reached the Northern Premier League Division One North play-off final. A successful spell at Farsley Celtic followed as Lakeland achieved a play-off spot before winning the league to reach the National League North in 2019.

In 2021, Adam returned to Curzon Ashton, this time as manager. Early in the 2023/24 season, Lakeland made the switch to King’s Lynn where he oversaw a mid-table finish, before reaching the play-offs last season.

Adam will be joined by his assistant from both Curzon and King’s Lynn, former Shayman Sam Walker, who was a part of our first FA Trophy success in 2016.

THANK YOU FROM HALIFAX

The Club can confirm that Assistant Manager Andy Cooper will leave the Shaymen following Chris Millington’s recent departure and will assist with any handover to our new management team in due course

Andy Cooper on his departure

‘With the obvious changes currently occurring at the Club, I have decided that it is the right time for me to step away as I look to continue my journey as a first team assistant.

My three years at FC Halifax Town have been truly memorable and I am better for the experience. Alongside player progression and special performances both home and away, our two play-off finishes and the FA Trophy win at Wembley are achievements that I hold dear. To share this journey under the guidance of Chris Millington was remarkably special and I wish to thank Milly for bringing me to the Club and for his overall contribution to FC Halifax Town throughout his tenure.

To Chairman David Bosomworth, thank you for the opportunity, the club has not achieved EFL status yet but we still shared some special moments and I pay credit to you and the Club staff for the support throughout.

I have been privileged to work as part of a dedicated backroom team who continually go above and beyond, I thank you all for your dedication and expertise. Special mention to the players for their contribution on a daily basis, working on grass with you has been an absolute pleasure – wishing you all the very best for the future.

Finally, to the fans. I am grateful for the support throughout the past three seasons and wish nothing but success for everyone associated with FC Halifax Town’.

David Bosomworth

‘We have already stated what a pleasure it has been to work with Chris Millington and the same is totally applicable to Andy. We have been well served by the contribution of both and Andy has more than played his part as a great foil for Chris, with a calm and professional approach to everything he does. We wish Andy all the best for the future and very sure it won’t be too long before he is on the touchline again. Thank you for everything.

LAKELAND’S PROFILE (VIA LINKEDIN)

I was most recently Manager of Kings Lynn Town FC, who play in the National League North, from 28th September 2023 – 14th May 2025. Within that time I saved them from relegation and reached the playoffs in the following season (24/25).

I managed Curzon Ashton FC from November 21 – September 23, where we built an excellent team on a bottom 4 budget, reaching the 1st round of The FA Cup and missing out on the playoffs on the final day of the 22-23 season.

Prior to this I was manager of Farsley Celtic FC from May 17 – October 21. In my first season I guided the team to the Evo-Stik Premier Division playoffs and won The West Riding County Cup. In my second season we won the Evo-Stik Premier Division earning promotion to the National North. We also reached the League Cup Final. We then achieved back to back 11th placed finishes in a very competitive National North league.

In January 2016 I was was appointed Manager of Northwich Victoria FC guiding them to a Play-Off Final and Cup Final before resigning in December 2016.

From July 2015 – June 2016 I worked with Blackburn Rovers FC as U15 Academy Coach.

I was First Team Coach at Curzon Ashton FC from June 2013 – July 2015. In my first full season we won the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League (13-14) and the following season (14-15) we achieved promotion via the playoffs from the Evo-Stik Premier Division into the National North.

I was the Head of Mens Football at Runshaw College from October 2010 – May 2017.

From November 2006 – April 2011 I was manager of Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC.

I hold a number of Sports Qualifications including my UEFA A Licence which I passed aged 26.

I am also the Founder (2006) and a Director of Pro Sport Coaching Ltd. Our dedicated team work hard each day to raise swimming attainment and activity levels within schools and nurseries throughout Lancashire.

As mentioned, FC Halifax Town impress fans after confirming the appointment of their new manager…

@tomhwilliams23: Think Adam Lakeland is a really good young manager, who is on the up. This represents a step up; will certainly be a tough job. Tbh, think Halifax have done well to get in a manager of this calibre after Millington. Like this one for all involved.

@joshcoulson04: Halifax have got themselves a new supporter. Good luck @adamlakeland @SamuelWalkerEsq 2 of the very best people with amazing morals and so much class. 💙💙

@CraigTheTrain: Quality appointment. Best of luck Adam.

@StephenRushton2: Welcome to The Shay Adam. From what I’ve read, it should be a good appointment

@crewealex7: Sounds a good shout. Done really well under challenging circumstances – deserved crack at the NL.

@noasmith66: to be fair he’s a class manager

@OffTheLineBlog: Really like this. Safe pair of hands. Did good job @ Curzon and – I feel – did well at #KLTFC despite falling short. Synergies to CM. Defensively strong football, with focus on developing younger players. A smart young manager with a bright future. Good luck, @adamlakeland.

@HenryFCHT: Best of luck @adamlakeland! Get behind the fans and we’ll get behind you! Some good attacking football would be great too 😁

@AFCHalifax2006: Welcome to the club @adamlakeland and good to see @SamuelWalkerEsq back at the club.

@ShaymenHXFC: Welcome to the club Adam, league 2 by 2028? 💙

@AndyWhy20855723: Good luck @adamlakeland and @SamuelWalkerEsq @FCHTOnline are getting 2 great guys, good luck, we will see you at some point next season 🤝

@alecmarshy: Great appointment, knew it wouldn’t be long. Two top guys joining in the league their professionalism matches 💙 Go well men @adamlakeland @SamuelWalkerEsq 🤝🏻

@positiveshaymen: Looks like a good fit for our club.👍

@trevk37: Feels a good choice, time will tell. Never the easiest budget at Halifax but they do alright along the way.

@elliottwalsh_: Hopefully start of a new era. Improved pitch and new ideas. Might be just what we needed. Cody Johnson in now please 🤞

@TomoAS34: Lakeland’s Barmy Army 🔵⚽️ Time to crack on and get that promotion squad built. UTS

@NL_Bible: Get the HMS piss the league edits out

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