"We've got some good characters in the group" - Millington calls for others to take the lead after departure of experienced duo

The duo, who left the club this summer following the expiry of their contracts, were two of the most experienced players in the Town squad.

The Shaymen had the lowest average age of any team in the National League last season, but Millington now wants to see other players take on more responsibility.

"I think it's very easy, when you've got more experienced people around, to stay in your own shell and take care of your own business," he said.

"But I think the fact that we've lost the likes of Summers and Keano, and Stotty and Jack Hunter, who were important characters around the group, it will allow more space for some of the other characters to come to the fore.

"We've got players who've been around the club two seasons or more, in the cases of Sam Johnson and Jamie Cooke, and also lads who had a really big impact last season who've only been here one season but have a reason to step forward and impose their character a bit more.

"So it's an exciting time and I think it'll be interesting to see where we're at in a few months' time to see who does step forward and drive the culture of the group."

Millington says he is aware of the need for calmness and composure on the pitch.

"It's something that every team needs, they need those cool heads when the chaos is happening, someone who can put their foot on the ball and restore a bit of calm to those aorund them," he said.

"I think we've got one or two players with older heads on younger shoulders and lads who've got good levels of experience for their age.

"We've got some good characters in the group, there is a group there that are able to control their emotions and control the tempo of games and they're going to get the opportunity to do that more than they might have done were there one or two more experienced pros around."

On the departure of defender Keane, who has left the club after two seasons, Millington said: "He's a top lad, obviously he's not had the success in terms of pitch time he might have wanted, first season in particular.

"But second season, he showed what an asset he could be to the group.

"I think one of the things people don't see is his influence away from the pitch, he's got a real bright coaching brain and helping some of the players understand things is a real strength of his.

"He's someone we expect would go into coaching once he's finished playing and I'd say if Jamie Stott were asked, I'm sure he'd credit Keano with the credit he desserves with helping him become the player he is over the last two seasons.

"We're disappointed we couldn't get something that would work for both parties but we thank him for his efforts and his service and we wish him all the best."