Colin Caton has stepped down as manager of Bala Town after an incredible 22 years of service that has delivered two promotions, eight trophies and nine European campaigns for the Lakesiders.
“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,” an official statement from Bala Town read on Tuesday morning.
“His resignation will not affect the bond of friendship and family which he has with so many within the club.”
A former defender who spent over a decade at Colwyn Bay, Caton’s arrival at Maes Tegid in 2003 was never expected to be a long-term solution for a club then playing in the third tier of the domestic game.
Initially taking training on a week-to-week basis as a favour to club chief executive Nigel Aykroyd, Caton was impressed with his ambitions for the club and it reignited his passion for the game.
Now after 880 matches in the dugout, Caton has played an integral part in the club establishing itself in the JD Cymru Premier following their promotion to the JD Cymru Premier in 2009.
In fact, his contribution even extends to the development of their Maes Tegid home, which is now unrecognisable from he first came through the door.
“I’ve helped physically develop the ground as well, we haven’t just developed on the field,” Caton told Y Clwb Pêl-droed in 2020.
“The pitch was like a straw field, but there were so many people willing to work there, there were so many voluntary helpers that wanted to drive the club on. It just got a hold of me really when I started taking the training.
“A group of volunteers and driven people within the town have achieved so much by progressing off the field as well. The team grew so quickly that it was difficult for them to keep up with us, but they did, and they achieved everything fantastically well and there was lots of voluntary help.”
In 2013, Caton guided Bala Town to the UEFA Europa League qualifiers for the first time following a play-off final victory over Port Talbot Town, and a goal from Ian Sheridan earned them a 1-0 win over Estonian side Levadia Tallinn on their European debut.
“Ten years ago Colin Caton became our manager after a chance meeting, and we have enjoyed nothing but success since,” Aykroyd told UEFA.com after the match.
On of Caton’s proudest moments as manager of Bala Town came in 2017 when they made history by winning the JD Welsh Cup with a famous 2-1 win over The New Saints. The victory prevented their opponents from completing an unprecedented third consecutive domestic treble.
“It means everything winning it for the first time,” Caton told BBC Sport Wales after the match. “It’s difficult to challenge TNS because they’re so good, but in a one off occasion, it’s gone our way.”
Further success followed in 2020 as a goal from Chris Venables earned Bala a 1-0 win over Valletta in the UEFA Europa League as they progressed to the second qualifying round for the only time.
Caton’s most-recent success came in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final in 2023 as a penalty shoot-out victory over Connah’s Quay Nomads brought the trophy to Maes Tegid for the first time after being runners-up in 2013 and 2014.
In total, Bala – a town of just 2,000 people – qualified for Europe on nine occasions under Caton, while finishing as runners-up in the JD Cymru Premier three times. Of the current 12 top-flight sides, only TNS are enjoying a longer run in the division than the Lakesiders’ 16-year (and counting) spell.
One of the most-recognisable figures in Welsh domestic football, Caton has become synonymous with Bala Town for his achievements over the last two decades, and his departure will leave a huge void at the club and the league as a whole.
