Trophy clash brings back fond Wembley memories for boss

CHRIS Millington has one experience which no-one in Solihull Moors’ yellow and blue has yet to celebrate.

- By COLIN STONER

And that’s an omission the Moors manager would love to remedy.

Millington led FC Halifax Town to glory under the Wembley arch when the Shaymen collected non-League's biggest knockout prize, the FA Trophy, in 2023 - and 12 months later Moors were denied the chance to follow suit when they suffered heartache in a sudden death penalty shootout.

Today, Moors try to right that wrong when National League North table-toppers AFC Fylde head to Damson Park for a third round tie.

Glorious memories will provide the inspiration for Millington and assistant Andy Cooper - and equally the agonising near-miss lurking in the recesses of their minds will drive Moors quartet Jamey Osborne, James Clarke, Alex Whitmore and Joe Sbarra who all played in the final against Gateshead 18 months ago.

Millington, though, revealed how current Moors loanee Tyrese Sinclair's dad helped prepare him for the greatest day in his career so far.

Defender Frank Sinclair won the 1997 FA Cup and 1998 League Cup with Chelsea and also lifted the League Cup with Leicester City in 2000 so he knows all about Wembley highs.

‘And his wise counsel helped Mancunian Millington.

“Taking Halifax to Wembley is such a nice memory, such a wonderful experience to lead a team out at Wembley and win a Trophy there,” said Millington.

“Funnily enough I remember canvassing the opinion of people who had played there and managed there in the run-up to the final.

“Strangely enough it was the dad of one of our players who said the most telling thing.