Fans react as Halifax confirm manager has left the club after National League playoff defeat

FC Halifax Town confirm manager Chris Millington has left the club after National League playoff defeat, losing 4-0 to Oldham.

Chris Millington has stepped down as Manager of FC Halifax Town after three seasons, having led the team to two play-off finishes and a 2023 FA Trophy Final victory.

He served six years total, including three as Assistant Manager. Millington expressed gratitude to the staff, players, and fans, acknowledging their support in achieving these milestones, but believes a change in management is needed to push the club toward the EFL.

Chairman David Bosomworth praised Millington’s dedication, highlighting the FA Trophy win and consistent play-off appearances despite challenges like injuries and fixture disruptions.

Millington will assist in the interview process for his replacement, and both he and the club expressed mutual respect and well-wishes for the future.

🏟️ CLUB STATEMENT |

We can confirm that Manager Chris Millington has left the Club.

We’d like to put on record our sincere gratitude to Chris for a very successful three seasons as manager. 💙

➡️ https://t.co/S6QtFyjY9j#Shaymen | LD pic.twitter.com/DSzw3FWMMY

— FC Halifax Town (@FCHTOnline) May 27, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

The Club can confirm that Chris Millington has stepped down from his role as Manager of FC Halifax Town.

Across three seasons and 155 games as Manager (three years prior as Assistant Manager under Pete Wild), Chris has led the team to two play-off finishes and a victory in the 2023 FA Trophy Final.

Chris has provided a memorable three years (six years in total) for the Shaymen and we wish he and his family all the very best for the future.

Chris Millington – ‘After a great deal of soul searching I have decided to stand down from my position as Halifax Town manager. It has been a privilege to represent the club and indeed the town of Halifax as first team manager and assistant over the last 6 years.

I have been privileged to work with some outstanding people through the playing staff and the non playing staff. Special thanks to Andy Cooper for his loyalty and unwavering support, the rest of the staff for their diligence and commitment, David Bosomworth for his patience and guidance and of course the rest of the back office staff who have been so supportive along the way. The players have been a joy to work with and we could not have achieved 2 play-off finishes and an FA Trophy win at Wembley without the support of the fans.

I am devastated that I will not be the man to lead Halifax Town back to the EFL but I believe the time is right for a change of manager at FCHT. The Club needs a manager to come and build on the solid foundation and positive reputation that has been built over the last 6 years.

The Club will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish everyone connected all the best and I look forward to the day I can visit The Shay Stadium to watch Halifax Town as a Football League team’.

David Bosomworth – Chairman – ‘Contributing to this announcement is a particularly sad task for myself. When appointing Chris three years ago to replace Pete Wild it was a leap of faith having gone through a quite intensive interview process, that there was little or no doubt that Chris was the right man for the job and so it has proved. Within the budget constraints we work within, Chris, his staff and players have all given their best for the success for the Club. In his first year, to win the FA Trophy was an outstanding achievement and for everyone attending Wembley with the Shaymen at heart, it was a day out to be treasured. Those opportunities are rare and some Clubs, staff or player’s never get such an opportunity. We did for a second time!

To finish in the play-offs two years running is a wonderful achievement and Chris and all can be rightfully proud of that. Let’s be honest in both the last two seasons (and yes I hear the voices who say we never get beyond the first eliminator match on all five previous occasions), we have been dealt a desperately unlucky deck of cards. Chris has never moaned. At the end of 2023-24 season, the farce around the pitch, all the resultant match postponements, cramming of fixtures, loss of our home venue for the last three matches and having to play four games in a week, all away from home and one in Southampton. To then be expected to roll out away at Solihull in peak form and fitness for a play-off fixture was always going to be a tall order. Despite that and an awful start in the game, they made a fight of it. This season, we have probably lost a fourth/fifth place finish and a home tie in the first play-off eliminator when very handily placed, due to an unprecedented injury list. At times we were without nine players and despite bringing in seven loans/signings to support Chris and the staff/team, the away fixture at Oldham became a bridge too far.

His dedication, commitment and desire to succeed has been nothing other than a breath of fresh air. Of course the need for more goals was recognised but not that easy to fix. Despite all that, we have been successful and to those who think being in the top seven is ‘a given’, you need to think again. Every point is hard earned and we have been particularly successful away from home and along with Chris it is important to acknowledge the tremendous support of the fans. To give six years of your life to help support a project and then take on the overall responsibility for that project is physically and mentally demanding and he has given his all. From me it is a huge ‘thank you’ to Chris and whatever he decides to do in the future we wish him well and he is always assured of a warm welcome at the Shay’.

We now have the task of securing the right replacement for Chris and he has agreed to help with the interview process.

Fans react as Halifax confirm that their manager has left the club after their National League playoff eliminators defeat…

@ShaymenHXFC: Knew it. Get Maynard in by end of week and give him a chance to build a decent squad. Survive this season and we can begin pushing for promotion again

@East_West_Tiger: Get your money on relegation next season folks!

@FCHT_Noah: Thankyou for everything gaffer you may not have been the most popular at times with certain groups of fans but you’ve given us some brilliant memories along the way 💙🤍

@hudders222: The guys performed miracles for years at the club. 👏

@ar6932: Thank you for everything Chris. A great man and a top manager. The wembley win makes him a legend in my eyes 💙

@dean_hutchings: Relegation next season! Expecting more for less from the next one through the door! Man has achieved miracles with that tight chairman’s budget!

@seth_quayle: Happy with what he did for us, but it was certainly time for a change, now time to bring in a manager that will make me actually look forward to go to shay to watch football.

@adiehollands3: I don’t blame him…. yes it wasn’t the most attractive football to watch but boy did he work miracles considering he had his hands tied behind his back for his whole tenure at the club….thanks for everything Chris and good luck in your next venture 💙

@lwswlsh: I so hope that he’s able to manage a competently run club to show what he’s truly capable of, because trying to make it work here was going to be impossible. The man has been badly let down by his owner, simple as. Thank you for trying to make it work Milly 💙

@TalkTownPod: Thanks for everything, Milly! 1x FA Trophy and 2x play-off campaigns (albeit short and sweet) in three seasons isn’t too shabby, especially given our modest budget, challenges with the pitch at the Shay, and our recent surge of injuries within the squad. Onto the next chapter!

@Shayflea: Such a shame, did a superb job under very challenging circumstances. An absolute top bloke too. 👌 One thing is for certain, the next person in will have a hell of a job to just match what Milly did – it will be interesting to see how much time the fans give the next guy

@tomhwilliams23: A shame but seemed on the cards towards the end of the season. Really like Chris Millington. Think he speaks well, and I also think he’s overachieved with Halifax. Not sure what his next moves are, but someone is getting a very good coach. As for Halifax – who do they appoint? 🤔

@fchtdylan: It was only a matter of time. He has done an absolutely outstanding job with what he had to work with. I may have been his critic at times but there is no hiding the fact he’s a brilliant gaffer. Best of luck wherever’s next, Milly 💙

@WillBurnett91: Can’t say I’m shocked especially considering the interview after the Oldham game. Thanks Milly, all the best for the future. Can see next season being a struggle now.

@OffTheLineBlog: For #FCHT – oof, tough act to follow. To achieve what CM has with the tools he’s had (albeit a good squad) is going to be tough. Lost Senior + Galvin already; likely lose one / two more yet. A replacement? Maynard would be #1 pick. I wouldn’t let #Notts spell crowd judgement.

@OffTheLineBlog: Amongst the NL’s best. One of my favourites. Expect he’s had enough of continually over-achieving, seeing his side ripped to shreds, and having to rebuild on a shoestring. #WealdstoneFC should be ALL OVER Millington; there isn’t a manager better-suited for what they need.

@Nwrighty18: Thanks for everything Milly, deserves far more respect than he gets. Done incredibly well in the circumstances dealt 💙👏🏻

@abuggjourno: Think we could see this coming, but it’s still disappointing nonetheless. He may have come up short in the playoffs, but a FA Trophy win and 2 top 7 finishes is ultimately a resounding success at a club like this. He deserves a fresh start somewhere else and I wish him the best.

pic.twitter.com/BMkpgHh4jv

— Non League Bible (@NL_Bible) May 27, 2025

Leaving the sinking ship. What a club 🤣. Evans next. Who else… Season tickets out end of July with an increase. Re-signed some duds who league below wouldn’t want. Least we will have a decent pitch eh! MY FCHT 💙🙄 pic.twitter.com/HIvHct6yfZ

— Denzil (@FchtMarkd) May 27, 2025

Overachieved. Under appreciated. Great manager, even better bloke.Thanks for everything Milly 💙 pic.twitter.com/B3j2rFj3l4

— Al Finn (@alastair_finn) May 27, 2025