The Club can confirm that County legend Sam Minihan has today left Edgeley Park to sign for National League side FC Halifax Town.
Legend is truly the only word to describe a player like Sam, who has been an incredible servant to the Club since joining on a free transfer from Worcester City in 2016, making over 200 appearances in six seasons and winning two league titles with the Club.
After winning the Club’s Young Player of the Year award in his first season at Edgeley Park, Sam became a key part of the side that won the National League North title under Jim Gannon, making 46 appearances in all competitions – most notably scoring a crucial late winner against Kidderminster Harriers in December that season.
Sam recovered from a serious injury suffered in pre-season to go on and play 18 times in all competitions last season, passing the 200 game mark in February, as we secured promotion back to the Football League on the final day of the season. He joins Jordan Keane, Ash Palmer and Ben Hinchliffe as the only players in the modern era to have won two championships with Stockport County.
As was the case with Jordan Keane, the Club respects Sam’s wishes to play regular first-team football at an important stage of his career and the offer from Halifax, who have retained a strong interest in the 28-year-old throughout the summer, was felt the best move for all parties. His passion and love for the Club has never been in question, and he rightly leaves as one of the most loved and popular players to ever have graced the Edgeley Park turf.
We can only thank Sam for his service to the Club over the last six years, and we wish him every success going forward at Halifax alongside his fellow former title winners Matty Warburton, Keano and Jamie Stott. We look forward to welcoming him back to Edgeley Park in the future as a County fan and beloved legend.
Manager Dave Challinor said:
“Sam moves on with everyone at the Club’s best wishes. Again it has been a really difficult situation for all concerned, as when players, especially those that have been part of the Club’s furniture for so long, have to make a decision that the head says is the right one but the heart doesn’t feel that way, it becomes really tough.
“Sam leaves as a double champion who will always be a part of the Club’s history and one of the group that took the club back to the EFL. Last season became a bit of a bonus as he was initially told to maybe not expect to play any football with the injury he had, but he did and played a part towards the back end.
“He does however need and has a desire to be playing regular football, which is something we couldn’t guarantee him. We wish him all the best as he joins some familiar faces at Halifax and I’m sure he’ll be a great addition to their squad and bring the experience of winning games and being successful at the level.”
