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BBC News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
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 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 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 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."
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Eighties were not the gr-eighties for Wrexham Football Club
Former Wales international Jones tops the appearance list for when Wrexham played in the old Second Division - now the Championship - between 1978 and 1982. The legendary tough-tackling, iconic fist-pumping defender returned to The Racecourse in October 1978 for £100,000 more than Bob Paisley paid Wrexham to take him to Liverpool three years earlier. He won the league and European Cup double at Anfield in 1977 before returning home to Wrexham 12 months later. Jones started 138 games for Wrexham, scoring six goals, while his nearby neighbour McNeil played two less matches than his team-mate but topped the scoring list with 40 league goals in the club's four seasons in the second tier. Jones and McNeil were just two of six players to chalk up a century-plus games in the famous red shirt in Division Two - Steve Fox (130), Dai Davies (114), Mel Sutton (106) and Gareth Davies (103) the others. Life wasn't rosy for the Reds after the euphoria of the title-winning 1977/78 season where Wrexham lifted the Welsh Cup and also reached the quarter-finals of both FA and League Cups. In their Division Two debut season, Arfon Griffiths' side were unbeaten in their first six but their first three home games - against Brighton, Leicester City and Newcastle United - all ended goal-less. They also enjoyed three early trips to the capital. The late John Lyons scored Wrexham's first goal in a 1-0 win at Fulham, Graham Whittle grabbed the only goal at Leyton Orient and Mickey Thomas netted in a 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic. It was one of six goals in 16 games for Thomas so it came as no surprise Manchester United made the Welsh star Wrexham's £350,000 record signing. After those two August away day wins, Wrexham didn't win again on their travels and their home form wasn't breathtaking either as they escaped relegation by just four points after finishing in 15th place. Wrexham's defence, where centre half John Roberts topped the appearance list on 40 games, was superb, conceding 42 goals all season. The Reds bagged just three more at the other end with Lyons scoring 10 of them. Dixie McNeil, Graham Whittle and Bobby Shinton contributed a combined 47 goals the season before. It was a different story 12 months later as the top trio's total totted up to just 17. The home crowds were also on a downward curve. There were 23,451 crammed in to watch Gareth Davies lift the Division Three trophy on May 1 1978. The opening day attendance at home to Brighton just 10 week later was 14,081 while 6,136 saw Wrexham sign off a disappointing season with a 1-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers. It was a 16th place finish in the 1979/80 season where Wrexham again finished on 38 points, nine ahead of the relegation zone. The sale of Thomas didn't help Wrexham on the pitch 12 months earlier and another entertainer Shinton headed off to Manchester City in the pre-season with both £350,000 deals helping pay for the Border Stand to replace the old Tech End. TOTAL APPEARANCES: Joey Jones 138; Dixie McNeil 136; Steve Fox 130; Dai Davies 114; Mel Sutton 106; Gareth Davies 103; Wayne Cegielski 99; Frank Carrodus 97; Mick Vinter 90; Alan Hill 88; Ian Edwards 73; Les Cartwright 70; Alan Dwyer 62; John Roberts 60; Eddie Niedzwiecki 54; Steve Dowman 44; David Giles 38; Bobby Shinton 37; Graham Whittle 36; Steve Buxton 36; Phil Bater 36; Billy Ronson 36; Ian Arkwright 30; John Lyons 28; Terry Darracott 22; Steve Kenworthy 18; Denis Leman 17; Mickey Thomas 16; Simon Hunt 15; Frank Jones 8; Peter Williams 4; Neil Salathiel 4; Micky Evans 3; Steve Jones 3. GOALS: Dixie McNeil 40; Mick Vinter 25; Ian Edwards 20; John Lyons 10; Steve Fox 10; Graham Whittle 8; Steve Buxton 8; Mickey Thomas 6; Bobby Shinton 6; Joey Jones 6; Alan Hill 6; David Giles 3; Mel Sutton 2; Frank Carrodus 2; Les Cartwright 2; Simon Hunt 2; Phil Bater 1; Billy Ronson 1; Denis Leman 1; Peter Williams 1.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Nomads boss Disney dreams of European return
Connah's Quay Nomads have appointed long-serving player and captain John Disney as their new manager. The defender announced his retirement from playing following Nomads' 2-1 defeat by The New Saints in the Welsh Cup final earlier this month. But the 33-year-old, who re-joined Nomads for his second spell in 2018, hinted he would be staying on with the club in some capacity. Disney succeeds Billy Paynter who was sacked in April with two games of the Cymru Premier season remaining. "We fell short and our remit for this season is to make sure we get back into Europe and get the club back where it belongs," Disney said. "I'm the person the club has chosen to take that forward and I'm really appreciative of that and really looking forward to it."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
New Nomads boss Disney dreams of European return
Connah's Quay Nomads have appointed long-serving player and captain John Disney as their new defender announced his retirement from playing following Nomads' 2-1 defeat by The New Saints in the Welsh Cup final earlier this the 33-year-old, who re-joined Nomads for his second spell in 2018, hinted he would be staying on with the club in some succeeds Billy Paynter who was sacked in April with two games of the Cymru Premier season remaining."We fell short and our remit for this season is to make sure we get back into Europe and get the club back where it belongs," Disney said."I'm the person the club has chosen to take that forward and I'm really appreciative of that and really looking forward to it."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dale steps down as Wrexham Women's manager
Steve Dale has resigned as the manager of Wrexham AFC Women. During his four seasons in charge, the 34-year-old led Wrexham to promotion to the Adran Premier in 2023, as well as two Welsh Cup finals. Their promotion to the Welsh top division paved the way for Wrexham to become the first women's team in Wales to become semi-professional. "After four fantastic seasons in charge of Wrexham AFC Women, I have made the decision to step down as manager to pursue other opportunities," Dale told the club website. Dalby and Davies leave Championship-bound Wrexham Wrexham 'on march to history' after promotion Fletcher to leave Wrexham 'not by choice' "I would like to thank everyone at the football club for their support during my time here, and especially to the staff and players for helping us to make history with Wrexham AFC. "I am hugely proud of our achievements on the pitch, and honoured to have been able to play a part in the growth of women's football not just in Wrexham but the whole of north Wales." Dale, who was also involved in coaching the men's youth team set-up, first took charge in October 2021 after Mari Edwards' departure. Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson said: "We would like to thank Steve for everything he has contributed to women's football here. "He has helped to change the face of the game not just in Wrexham but in all of Wales, overseeing an historic and hugely successful four years. "Steve departs with our grateful thanks and with our very best wishes for the future. Our search for his replacement is now under way."
