Long-serving Caton steps down as Bala manager
Bala Town boss Colin Caton, the Cymru Premier's longest serving manager, has stepped down after 22 years and 880 games in charge at Maes Tegid.Caton, 54, was appointed manager in 2003 and oversaw the club's rise from the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) to the Cymru Premier, where they have spent the last 16 years.The former Rhyl and Colwyn Bay defender guided Bala to a first ever Welsh Cup in 2017, defeating the New Saints 2-1 in the final, as well as the Nathaniel MG Cup in 2023.Under Caton, Bala finished runners-up in the Cymru Premier on three occasions and qualified for European competition nine times, facing Standard Liege in 2020.
Bala finished sixth last season but failed to qualify for next season's Europa Conference League after losing to Cardiff Met in the play-offs."The club will be forever grateful to Colin for his outstanding service, his complete commitment to the position, his dedication, his enthusiasm, his determination, his professionalism and his outstanding achievements," Bala said in a statement."His resignation will not affect the bond of friendship and family which he has with so many within the club."His resignation will never lessen the wonderful memories and his resignation will certainly never dim the admiration, the respect and the gratitude which Bala Town holds for Colin."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Craig Bellamy: Wales will prepare for Liechtenstein the same way as any opponent
Liechtenstein are among the whipping boys of world football and ranked 205th out of FIFA's 210 nations. They have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March to North Macedonia and Kazakhstan 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. Wales forward Brennan Johnson (centre) during a training session ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein (Adam Davy/PA) 'We win the game, that's it, That's the honest truth,' Bellamy said at his pre-match press conference. 'I don't care about scorelines. We have to win, that's all we're working for this week. 'We've prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else. It doesn't matter who we play against. 'I've watched the same amount of games on Liechtenstein as I have for every other team. My psyche can't work any different. 'I honestly believe if you disrespect the game it will catch you out. Do I understand people looking past it? Of course I do. 'But I was up late last night. I didn't sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same. 'The same messages have been fed to the players. It doesn't matter.' Wales opened their World Cup campaign in March with a 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan and a last-gasp 1-1 draw in North Macedonia. The Dragons know a far tougher test against group favourites Belgium lies ahead in Brussels on Monday. Daniel James could miss Wales' World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein following illness (Bradley Collyer/PA) Bellamy has utilised much of his squad in previous double-headers since being appointed last summer. He is likely to do so again with such a quick turnaround before the Belgium game, although Leeds winger Daniel James is likely to miss out against Liechtenstein. 'Unfortunately Dan picked up an illness so we've had to separate him from the group,' said Bellamy. 'We can't afford to have any other players infected. 'We're monitoring him and monitoring the situation, but we've got cover. It's OK.' Captain Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson have joined up for international duty after helping Tottenham to Europa League glory against Manchester United. Brennan Johnson (centre left) and Ben Davies (left) have linked up with the Wales squad after winning the Europa League at Tottenham (Nick Potts/PA) Johnson scored the winner in the Bilbao final to end Tottenham's 17-year wait for a trophy. Davies said: 'We had a couple of days celebrating, but you keep going on that merry-go-round and the next game seems to come up. 'I think Brennan has shown this year that he's a top, top player and proven a lot of people wrong. 'We've got full confidence in him in this Wales squad, that he can replicate his form at the club, here. 'We love having him around the place and I feel we've got the best Brennan at the moment.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Big players return and youth given chance
Craig Bellamy's side took four points from their opening two games against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia in March. Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Cardiff City Stadium clash. Flaming June Frustrated Wales players exchange words with Armenia goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic during their shock 4-2 home defeat to Armenia two summers ago (Adam Davy/PA) Summer fixtures have proved a major problem for Wales in recent years. Euro 2024 qualification hopes were seriously damaged by defeats to Armenia – then ranked 97th in the world – and Turkey two years ago, and manager Rob Page lost his job after an embarrassing goalless draw with Gibraltar and a 4-0 beating in Slovakia last June. Slipping up against Liechtenstein, who are 205th out of FIFA's 210 ranked nations, would top those disasters, and boss Bellamy will be keen to brush them aside ahead of Monday's challenging test with Belgium in Brussels. Big players are back Ethan Ampadu (centre) and Harry Wilson (left) are fit again to drive Wales' World Cup qualifying campaign (Nick Potts/PA) Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson, arguably Wales' two most important players, are available again after missing the March qualifiers through injury. Leeds captain Ampadu has not played for his country since September due to knee issues, with Bellamy saying Wales do not possess another player with the midfielder's 'number six profile'. Fulham forward Wilson has been on fire since Bellamy took charge, scoring four times in six games as Wales won promotion to the top tier of the Nations League last autumn. No Allen farewell Wales midfield great Joe Allen ended his distinguished playing career last month (David Davies/PA) Wales great Joe Allen has retired since the last international camp, calling time on a 77-cap career which saw the former Swansea, Liverpool and Stoke midfielder play at a World Cup and two European Championships. Allen had previously retired from international football in February 2023 before Bellamy persuaded him to return to the Wales fold last autumn. There had been suggestions Allen would prolong his career to make one final Wales appearance in Cardiff, but Bellamy paid tribute to the 35-year-old saying: 'Joe has been one of our greatest players. All I could do was just thank him for this period.' New kids on the block Cardiff teenager Ronan Kpakio has been thrust into the Wales senior spotlight (Nick Potts/PA) At a time when Desire Doue and Lamine Yamal have proved on the biggest stage that if you are good enough, you are old enough, Wales are nurturing their own young talent. Full-back Ronan Kpakio has been promoted from the Under-19 squad after just six appearances and one league start for Cardiff, while Leeds midfielder Charlie Crew, also 18, is included as well. Whether the pair receive game-time against Liechtenstein remains to be seen, but Bellamy is keen to fast-track high-potential youngsters for them to have experience of the senior environment. Payback chance on Liechtenstein trolls Hello! Shall we schedule a friendly match? — Liechtenstein_br (@liechtensteinbr) June 6, 2024 Wales were at a low point last summer after Gibraltar's part-timers held them to a 0-0 friendly draw in Portugal. But that did not stop the official Liechtenstein X account poking fun at the Dragons with a spot of trolling online. 'Hello! Shall we schedule a friendly match?' proclaimed a nation without a competitive victory since 2020. The World Cup draw ensured there was no need for that – and now Wales have the perfect chance for revenge.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Craig Bellamy: Wales will prepare for Liechtenstein the same way as any opponent
Liechtenstein are among the whipping boys of world football and ranked 205th out of FIFA's 210 nations. They have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March to North Macedonia and Kazakhstan 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. 'We win the game, that's it, That's the honest truth,' Bellamy said at his pre-match press conference. 'I don't care about scorelines. We have to win, that's all we're working for this week. 'We've prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else. It doesn't matter who we play against. 'I've watched the same amount of games on Liechtenstein as I have for every other team. My psyche can't work any different. 'I honestly believe if you disrespect the game it will catch you out. Do I understand people looking past it? Of course I do. 'But I was up late last night. I didn't sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same. 'The same messages have been fed to the players. It doesn't matter.' Wales opened their World Cup campaign in March with a 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan and a last-gasp 1-1 draw in North Macedonia. The Dragons know a far tougher test against group favourites Belgium lies ahead in Brussels on Monday. Bellamy has utilised much of his squad in previous double-headers since being appointed last summer. He is likely to do so again with such a quick turnaround before the Belgium game, although Leeds winger Daniel James is likely to miss out against Liechtenstein. 'Unfortunately Dan picked up an illness so we've had to separate him from the group,' said Bellamy. 'We can't afford to have any other players infected. 'We're monitoring him and monitoring the situation, but we've got cover. It's OK.' Captain Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson have joined up for international duty after helping Tottenham to Europa League glory against Manchester United. Johnson scored the winner in the Bilbao final to end Tottenham's 17-year wait for a trophy. Davies said: 'We had a couple of days celebrating, but you keep going on that merry-go-round and the next game seems to come up. 'I think Brennan has shown this year that he's a top, top player and proven a lot of people wrong. 'We've got full confidence in him in this Wales squad, that he can replicate his form at the club, here. 'We love having him around the place and I feel we've got the best Brennan at the moment.'
