Bala Town FC manager resigns after 22-year spell with club

Colin Caton's resignation came 'with deep regret', the club said in a statement this morning (June 3).
Caton was described as 'an unbelievable servant' of the club, which he had been associated with since 2003.
He was praised for having 'transformed us from a team languishing at a low level in Tier 3 to the very top of Welsh domestic football'.
A club statement read: 'The club have had a hugely difficult and challenging 12 months, and the culmination of this has resulted in Colin facing an almost impossible task to continue in his position.
'The issues which we, as a small club within the JD Cymru Premier League, (face) have been widely discussed, but there has been no assistance or resolution regarding the concerns raised.'
Last month, Bala Town made the 'difficult' decision to withdraw from the Football Association of Wales' (FAW) National Academi programme.
The club said it is no longer able to sustain a full player development pathway into its first team as a result of new academy licensing changes.
In March 2023, Bala Town was awarded a category C license under the leadership of then-head of academy, Carwyn Edwards.
But the club said this decision led to the 'immediate withdrawal of all financial support from the FAW over the past two years'.
Bala Town said it has since had to self-fund its academy's continued operation.
'The challenges have had a personal effect on many involved in our club, but we remain resolute in our determination to continue our journey at the very highest level of domestic football in Wales.
'He leaves after 880 matches at the helm and an encyclopaedia of achievements: promotion in his first season to the Cymru Alliance, then three NEWFA Challenge Cup and three Cymru Alliance League Cup wins, then promotion at last after five seasons into the Welsh Premier League in 2009, and then 16 years consecutively in the Cymru Premier.
'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.
'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.'
Bala Town added that it will now 'take the necessary steps to safeguard the future' of the club.

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