2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Solihull Moors

Player Decisions

Retain

Lawrie Walker, Jamey Osborne, Conor Wilkinson, Jacob Wakeling, Scott High, Cameron Green, Calum McFarlane, Tyler French, Ben Worman, Kian Ryley, Fin Howell, Charlie Watts

Release

Aaron Flahavan, Alex Whitmore, Brad Stevenson, Manny Sonupe, Kyle Moseley

Lose / Sell

Oscar Rutherford

Loan Out

Fin Howell, Charlie Watts

Loan End

Darius Lipsiuc, Joe Sbarra, Ethan Moore, Lewis Baines, Tobi Sho-Silva, Dan Cox, Will O’Sullivan

Retained Squad

New Signings

Tyrell Warren (Grimsby Town – free)

If Chris Millington is going to create a side capable of competing for the top seven, The Moors are going to have to make one or two marquee signings. One option that I feel would fit into that category is Tyrell Warren. 

Warren is currently on the books of Grimsby Town, albeit has only featured 24 times in the league for The Mariners. With David Artell likely to make a few tweaks to his side in the summer regardless of the league that they are in, Warren is one that I feel may well be allowed to depart Blundell Park as a casualty of their strengthening. 

The right-back is no stranger to Chris Millington, having played under him during the pair’s time at FC Halifax Town. Millington might well be able to draw upon that relationship in signing him at Damson Park. Personally, I feel that if he wants to play regularly as a first-choice pick then signing for a team at the top end of the National League is the most likely avenue. 

In terms of the attributes you want in a full-back, I think Warren represents such a lovely profile. Quick. Atheltic. Aggressive in his defending. The engine and ball-carrying qualities to get forward and get involved in the attacking play. Capable defending wide space, and a good 1-on-1 defender that is comfortable defending in a high line. 

Right-back is definitely an area in which they can improve going forward, and so signing Warren is a player that I think would be seen as a bit of a coup for the level. 

Ashton McWilliams (Aston Villa – loan)

If The Moors do sign Warren, I feel that they will look to sign a younger option that can a) provide competition to Warren b) be someone that they develop without the pressure of being an immediate starter. 

McWilliams has had some experience – albeit brief – in the National League this term with relegated Morecambe. Highly-rated in Villa circles. Only 18 years of age. 

In terms of the type of player that the youngster is, McWilliams is a strong physical profile. A quick and dynamic defender whose first thought is to provie an option in transition in carrying from deep. Good on the ball. Technically astute. 

One thing that I think that McWilliams has got to develop in his game is that bit of aggression and that bit of personality and character. Personally, I believe that he has got all the attributes that you would want in a full-back for the modern game, and he just needs to have that bit of ruthlessness in how he goes about his business. Go for the jugular. 

With Millington having shown with The Shaymen that he is adaptable to go to a 3-at-the-back at times, I feel that signing a player of McWilliams’ profile is hugely beneficial. The speed, mobility, ball-carrying qualites and power in defending space to play in a wide centre-back role in progressing from deep. The athleticism to excel as a wing-back. 

Signing for The Moors provides McWiliams with the opportunity to stay fairly local to home, but continue his career at what I believe is the right level for him at this stage. Under a top coach wiht a proven track record in youth development. Understudy to a top right-back. I feel that this would be a hugely sensible option. 

Cian Flannery (Sheffield Wednesday – free)

Cameron Green has performed fairly well in 2025-26, and is one I think Millington will look to keep on going into next year. Competition will be useful in driving standards, and so I’d be looking to add another left-back to the playing squad. Most likely a younger, up-and-down type with a good engine that can contribute towards attacking phases.

Ideally, I think that Millington would also identify someone that is capable of playing as a left-sided centre-back in a three in order to provide him with the versatility to adapt his set-up as he has often done so effectively. A player of Ryan Galvin’s profile. 

One player that I would look at is Cian Flannery. A season playing with Curzon Ashton. Steady progression through the campaign. A good athlete, comfortable on the ball, fairly quick and mobile. A diligent defender, and someone that just needs that bit of physical development in his game to be a good out-and-out defender. That extra bit of aggression and personality. A very understated character. 

One of the advantages that The Moors would get in Flannery is that he can play anywhere down the left-hand side, and as a full-back or centre-back. Millington – when most effective with The Shaymen – likes to build a side that can play as a four but adjust to a three away from home, and so signing a player of Flannery’s versatility is key. 

The youngster is only 21 years of age, and stepping into the National League would be his first. It would be a gamble to sign him, but to provide competition to Green and a project for Millington, I feel that Flannery provides the requisite ticks in the box. 

Lewis Baines (Altrincham – free)

One player that I expect The Moors will look to re-sign during the summer after a successful loan at Damson Park is former England C defender Lewis Baines. 

Baines has been surplus to requirement since Neil Gibson came in at Altrincham. Out of contract with The Robins. Unlikely to be kept on, and I anticipate he’ll be moved on. If that is the case, he certainly won’t be short of offers at the level. 

With Alex Whitmore moving out of the club, I think that signing a player of Baines’ experience in the fifth tier would be hugely important. A leader. Over 100 games in the fifth tier for Altrincham. Capped by England C. 27 years of age. He represents a fairly reliable operator in the defensive third, and a strong professional for the dressing room.

In terms of his profile, I feel that Baines has a lot of ticks against his name. Comfortable as a ball-player. Can step into midfield, and defending wide spaces. An intelligent defender. He offfers real balance in the backline given that he is left-footed. His type of profile isn’t available too often at this level, and so you’d expect Moors to want to keep him. 

I expect quite a fair bit of The Moors recruitment will be with a focus on assets they can develop, but signing a few ‘here and now’ players that have experience and ready to hit the ground is going to be key if they can be competitive at the top end of the league. 

Baines can play as a centre-back and left-back, and so provides options to The Moors. Available on a free transfer, I see this deal as a bit of a formality for Millington to get done. 

Mackenzie Maltby (Sheffield Wednesday – free)

Chris Millington has demoinstrated that he has good links with the Sheffield Wednesday academy, signing Galvin and Alimi-Adetoro while in charge of The Shaymen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him utilise that relationship during the summer with The Moors. 

One option I do like the look of an who I feel would represent a good prospect to develop in the heart of the backline is youngster Mackenzie Maltby. A player I saw in the National League North with Scarborough Athletic, and who I was impressed with. Now 21 years of age. Likely to be moved on by The Owls in the summer. 

Maltby is out of a good academy at Sheffield Wednesday, and someone that I feel can be a good player for the level. Highly-rated within Ows circles. Captain for Wednesday’s academy. 

One thing that particularly stood out with Maltby is his leadership and maturity despite his age and lack of first-team experience. He has a calmness to him in his defending which I like. He leads by example. Organises well. Has a strong reading of the game, and positionally strong. 

He has got a lovely temperament in his defending, and one which I find is very rare for his age. Great work-rate. A diligent defender, and someone that has got a brilliant attitude. He isn’t afraid to mix it, but comfortable in playing out, and strikes me as being hugely coachable. 

He has not had much in the way of first-team exposure and spent time out in 2025-26, yet if The Moors could sign him on a permanent deal then I think that he would be a good option. A lot of future potential and the type of profile that Millington often relishes working with. 

Isaiah Dada-Mascoll (Manchester City – loan)

When I have watched The Moors this season, one attribute that I think they have lacked is power, physicality and athleticism. They need a powerful runner in the middle to complement Jamey Osborne. An athlete. Someone that can win the ball back and carry through the thirds. One option that does interest me is Manchester City youngster Isaiah Dada-Mascoll. 

When Chris Millington had the success he did with The Shaymen, he had two players in Kane Thompson-Sommers and Jack Hunter that provided these qualities.  The engine, running power and physicality of Thompson-Sommers. The frame, work-rate, tenacity against the ball and aggression of Hunter. I think Dada-Mascoll represents a nice middle ground for that.

The Moors have made good use of the loan market this term. Sbarra. Lipsiuc. High. Dada-Mascoll on a season-long loan would represent a clever piece of business. 

The youngster is only 19 years of age, and – to date – is yet to gain experience in first-team football. A notoriously physically demanding league such as the National League is one that I think he would thrive in. Under a top coach in Millington, I feel he’d return to City a better player than is now. 

As a partner for Jamey Osborne, I think Dada-Mascoll would complement him nicely. He’d allow Osborne to sit deeper and dictate. Dada-Mascoll being the ball-winning, runner to get about the pitch, win it back and drive the team up the pitch.  A more technical type in Sbarra in front. I think that is a nice balance of reciprocal skillsets. 

Out of a good academy, England youth international, and someone incredibly highly-rated within City circles. It would definitely be a coup, but I think it would be a game-changer in improving the engine room.

Joe Sbarra (Doncaster Rovers – free)

It won’t win many awards for ingenuity, but sometimes the best transfers can be the most straightforward. In the case of Joe Sbarra, I think that the attacking midfielder will be top of the midfield target for The Moors to sign during the summer on a permanent deal.

He signed in 2024 with Doncaster Rovers on an initial 2-year deal. Rovers hold the option of an extra year, yet having failed to breakthrough into the first-team environment with regular minutes I envisage that he will be allowed to move on for pastures new come May. 

His EFL move didn’t work out, yet I think he would be a major coup for The Moors as far as competing at the top end of the National League. His loan this term has been highly productive as expected. 12 goal involvements in 24 games. Impressive in a period of adaptation in a somewhat dysfunctional side. Virtually an ever present in terms of minutes. He has quickly established himself as integral a lynchpin in the midfield as he was prior to his exit in the summer of 2024. 

He remains one of the best #10’s in the league. A diminutive customer. High energy. Clever runs from deep. Picks up pockets between the lines. Always looking to receive the ball. Acceleration in his carries to attack space really well. The low centre of gravity to go either way. Strong shooter from distance. Technically good. A lot to like. 

With Millington at the helm, I think The Moors will be looking towards the top end of the league next term. Equip them with one of the best attacking midfielders, re-unite the Osborne-Sbarra pairing, get him on a long-term deal and there is no reason why he can’t get back into the EFL with The Moors.

Andrew Oluwabori (Exeter City – fee)

While Emmanuel Sonupe has shown flashes of his quality this term, they have been on an only too inconsistent basis. They’ve been crying out for a Tyrese Shade type ever since his exit, and they’ve not properly replaced that since many rolls of the dice. 

He is by no means polished, but I feel The Moors could well go in for Andrew Oluwabori. Currently at Exeter City and contracted till the end of 2026-27 albeit seemingly not part of their immediate plans, they may well be interested in letting him depart for a small fee.

One thing Chris Millington does really well is in platforming players. Simplifying their game. Getting them playing in the right ways. Improving decision-making. Allowing individual player attributes to flourish. We saw signs of that with FC Halifax Town under Millington, and he got a move to Exeter City off the back of that. A little early – I felt – and I don’t think there is much harm in him going ‘back to basics’, taking one step backwards and playing regularly to refine his craft to – in the long-term – take two forward. 

There is no better coach to do that than Millington. The pair already have a working relationship. His best football came under him at The Shay. There was already real improvement in his game as part of The Shaymen’s top-end National League push. Definitely a player there. Just needs the odd tweak. Coaching that final action. 

He is still a little bit raw. That in itself can be hugely dangerous if harnessed in the right way. Dynamic movement. Blistering pace. Unpredictability to go both ways. I think that if he can consistently pick that right final pass and improve his output then he can make that step back into the EFL. Stepping down to the National League may give him that extra yard of space and development time in which he can undergo that improvement.

Angelo Cappello (FC Halifax Town – free)

In terms of what I expect Chris Millington to look to try and build in charge of Moors, I anticipate him implementing a similar style to that which served him well with The Shaymen. An emphasis on transitions, organised behind the ball, pace in the wide areas to attack space and especially effective away from home. 

If he is to successfully replicate that formula at Solihull Moors, one player that I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see rock up at Damson Park is Angelo Cappello. The 24-year-old was an integral part of Millington’s Town side. Predominantly a winger. Effective as a makeshift left-back at times. Deployed as a wing-back when they set up in more of a 3-5-2 away from home. Tactically, he is a player that holds a number of the answers and solutions for Chris Millington. 

Cappello is a left-sided, left-footed winger. A diminutive customer. Strong dribbler. Quick feet. Good delivery from wide. A great engine to get up and down, and quick in transition. There a lot of attributes that he offers which The Moors have perhaps lacked in 2025-26, especially in terms of an out-and-out wide threat off the left flank.

Functionally, I think Cappello helps The Moors. A proficient crosser to get balls in for Wilkinson. The delicate weight of pass to find the intelligent runs of Wakeling. The engine and ball-carrying qualities to get them up the pitch. The transitional threat to be more effective in springing attacks. A natural left-sided option. A lot of requisite ticks in the box, and he is still only in his early 20’s. Definitely a coup if they can get him going into his best years.

After four years, Cappello may feel that it is time for a new challenge. A change of scenery. Working under a coach he knows well in a different environment and part of a new project may well be an attractive proposition to the Belize international going into 2026-27.

Brandon Powell (Blackburn Rovers – loan)

If The Moors manage to get Angelo Cappelo and Andrew Oluwabori, any other wide players that they bring in will likely have to compete for a spot in the side as more of a back-up option. One player that I feel they could look at as a prospective signing is youngster Brandon Powell.

Powell is more of a dual-purpose option for The Moors, and not your ‘traditional’ left winger given that he can play anywhere down the left-hand side.

I am not expecting The Moors to go ‘crazy’ in the summer, and there will still very much be that element of smart, savvy, cost-effective deals under Chris Millington and Darryl Eales’ leadership. Signing a player that has the versatility to play in a number of different positions represents real benefit for Solihull Moors in terms of ‘value for money’, and also offers Millington the tactical flexibility in changing shape.

I am confident that Millington will recruit this summer with half an eye on ensuring that they have got players who can play as a wing-back, and so Powell represents a good option on that left-hand side given his speed, running power and athleticism. He is a pacy and powerful profile with a good engine to get ‘up and down’, and has got the forward-thinking nature to his game to provide an option on the overlap.

If he is going to play regular minutes, I feel dropping back into the National League – with whom he featured briefly for Altrincham – represents a realistic level at which to pitch him.

Billy Waters (Oldham Athletic – free)

Given that The Moors have got Wilkinson and Wakeling as forward options, one profile that I think it would be good for them to add during the summer is that quicker and more agile striker. One option that I wouldn’t be surprised to see on The Moors radar is experienced front man Billy Waters.

Waters is on loan at FC Halifax Town from League Two side Oldham Athletic, albeit the 30-year-old has certainly not had a spell to be witing home about in Shaymen colours. While his last two loan spells – at Altrincham and at The Shay – have seen the forward fail to register, I would caveat that with the fact that he has been used sparingly due to a combination of factors. In terms of The Moors being able to put together a squad that has a nice mix of experience and youth, I feel Waters could be a good option for The Moors.

Especially in light of the news that Alex Whitmore is departing the club, I do think Millington should add one or two more experienced faces to the group. Waters has won promotion from the National League on three separate occasions, and so he definitely provides the requisite ‘tick in the box’ of being the type of character that could contribute towards a Moors side that will be aiming for the top seven.

As a player, Waters is quite a hard-working and dynamic forward. Always on the move. Willing to make runs. A ‘ratty’ type that is always get on the end of knock downs. The type of player who is always looking to make runs in behind off the shoulder with his turn of speed. Always keep defenders committed. The Moors have been fairly direct in playing off Connor Wilkinson, and so I feel Waters provides them with a little bit different at the top end of the pitch.

I expect that Oldham Athletic will freshen up the forward line this summer – re-signing Mellon, giving Kavanagh a full season, and trimming some of the “fringe” players from the squad – and so I think Waters may well become available. If he does, I think that he would be a smart piece of business for The Moors as a squad option.