FC Halifax Town have had a fresh development following a busy week, as a result of their inability to make it three play-off campaigns in a row during the 2025/26 National League campaign.
The Shaymen lost manager Adam Lakeland to National League North-bound Morecambe earlier this week, much to the surprise of fans – following a strong debut campaign after arriving from King’s Lynn Town last summer.
Whilst his successor is anticipated to be appointed in the coming days, the club still had the small matter of their retained list to reveal, which would in turn allow Halifax to begin preparing for next season.
Promotion-Winner amongst six released by Halifax
Unlike several other National League clubs thus far, Halifax have yet to reveal the fate of the entire first-team squad but have announced several departures of individuals whose contracts won’t be renewed this summer. You can access the full list of all National League retained lists so far here.
In the days following the ending of the 2025/26 campaign, then-Halifax manager Adam Lakeland revealed that playmaker Florent Hoti would be leaving the club this summer. The 25-year-old missed the majority of the season through injury, ending with one goal from his seven league outings.
However, a further five players have now had their futures confirmed, via a statement on the club’s official website. Amongst those to depart are former Blackpool forward Zak Emmerson and promotion-winner Tom Pugh.
Pugh in particular celebrated promotion with loan side Spalding United on bank holiday Monday, as they beat Real Bedford 4-2 in extra time to confirm their promotion to the NL North. The 25-year-old joined Spalding on loan in February and played the full game, though he didn’t contribute to any of their four goals.
The full list of released players currently announced by Halifax is as follows;
- Florent Hoti, Jack Jenkins, Nat Ford, Sean Tarima, Tom Pugh & Zak Emmerson
Controversy was later suggested by departing player Nat Ford who confirmed on social media that he wasn’t given any prior knowledge of his release before seeing the club’s post.
Does Lakeland’s exit place uncertainty on Halifax’s promotion aspirations?
At this stage of the season, all clubs across the country submit their release lists and begin plans to build their side ahead of a new chapter during the next campaign and Halifax is no different.
From the six exits, Hoti & Jenkins are the two who featured most for the club but neither of them played significant roles towards the latter stages of the season. Hoti was slowly returning to action following a lengthy injury lay-off whilst Jenkins was out on loan at Bedford Town.
Therefore, whilst debates remain over the future of January want-away midfielder Josh Hmami, Halifax haven’t necessarily lost any of their key contracted individuals ahead of the off-season.
What the Shaymen have lost however, is Lakeland – the manager that guided them to an eighth-placed finish this season, which should be considered a success even if it means that their run of play-off appearances came to an end.
Halifax lost manager Chris Millington at the end of last season, but managed to recruit Lakeland and still rebuild the club to deliver another play-off push, though on this occasion they fell short. Therefore, losing Lakeland at this stage is almost a carbon copy of what the football club have already experienced, meaning they are likely to know how to handle and react to the situation.
The earlier report that a new manager is likely to be in place later this week suggests that the rebuild is very much ongoing, giving the new arrival almost three months to establish relationships, bring in players and insert his play styles and tactics into the Halifax side.
Therefore, whilst Lakeland’s exit could cast doubt on their successes next season, their record from the 2025/26 season suggests Halifax are more than able to bounce back and continue their long-term goal of reaching the EFL.