Bala Town facing cuts of 'up to 30%'
Bala Town are facing cuts of up to 30% following a "hugely difficult and challenging 12 months" for the club.
Earlier this month, the Lakesiders announced Colin Caton, the Cymru Premier's longest serving manager, had resigned after 22 years and 880 games in charge at Maes Tegid.
Advertisement
"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.
And club secretary Ruth Crump says Bala are assessing their expenditure in full amid a major financial struggle at the Gwynedd outfit.
"We're looking into everything at the club in terms of our spending, facilities, training, we're looking at cuts everywhere," Crump told BBC Radio Cymru's Ar y Marc.
"We're looking at between 20% and 30% (in cuts)."
Advertisement
Crump added: "The challenges that we as a small club face within the Cymru Premier have been discussed extensively, but no help or solutions have come to help alleviate those concerns.
"The challenges have had a personal impact on a number of people involved with the club, but we are determined to continue our journey at the highest level of football in Wales."
Caton guided Bala to a first ever Welsh Cup in 2017 and led the Lakesiders to Nathaniel MG Cup glory in 2023.
Discussing Caton's exit, Crump added: "I've been in shock over these past few days, I wasn't expecting it at all.
"I thought Colin was carrying on for at least another year. It's really sad and I've been very upset by it all."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
Santi Cazorla helps Real Oviedo earn promotion to La Liga for first time in 24 years with play-off victory
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has helped Real Oviedo earn promotion to La Liga for the first time in 24 years after securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Mirandes in the Segunda promotion play-off final. Cazorla, 40, returned to his boyhood club in the summer of 2023, having been one of several former players who bought shares in the club in 2012 when Oviedo faced financial difficulties. Advertisement The former Spain international came off the bench to score a free-kick with his weaker foot in the semi-final victory over Almeria on June 11. That set up a two-legged play-off final against Mirandes. Having lost the first leg of the play-off final 1-0 on June 15, Cazorla was on the scoresheet in the second leg as Oviedo went on to win 3-1 on Saturday. The memorable victory, a year after Oviedo lost in the play-off final in 2024, will see Oviedo play in the Spanish top flight for the first time in over two decades. Cazorla came through Oviedo's youth academy before leaving in 2003 due to the club's financial troubles. He went on to play for clubs including Villarreal, Malaga, Arsenal, Al-Sadd in Qatar, before returning to Oviedo in 2023. He told The Athletic in 2025 that Oviedo made him a hefty salary offer but he asked for the minimum contract allowed under La Liga rules (€90,000 a year). Ten per cent of all proceeds from jerseys bearing his name also goes to help fund the club's youth system. 'Thankfully, I've had a successful career, so the last thing I wanted was to be a weight on my club,' Cazorla said. 'I'm delighted with these conditions — I'd play for free, but the regulations must be respected. 'Returning here to Oviedo, where I dreamed of playing as a kid, was in my mind for a long time. Now I'm back, trying to help where I can.' Oviedo almost went bust in 2012 before an international fundraising campaign raised the €2million (£1.7m/$2.1m) required to save it. Cazorla was among those to contribute, as were former Oviedo youth team players Juan Mata and Michu. Cazorla also made 81 appearances for Spain, winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Victor Osimhen waiting for €75m release clause to expire to drop his price
Key Manchester United target Victor Osimhen is playing a waiting game until his €75m release clause expires and he could be available more cheaply, according to reports in Italy. The clause in the Nigerian's contract only applies to clubs outside of Italy and expires in mid-July, frustrating any hopes of wrapping up a quick deal but making a more affordable one more likely. Advertisement Although on the other hand the risk is that with no clause to be triggered Napoli could dig their heels in and ask for more or, with the player having several known suitors, a bidding war could ensue. Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the player is not taking this pessimistic view and is actively waiting because 'he hopes that once the clause expires the price will drop'. However, Napoli have the option to extend his contract – currently due to expire in 2026 – by a further 12 months which would likely ratchet the price right back up again. There seems to be no discussion of the 26-year-old staying on in Naples, so any contractual wrangling would be purely with a view to the club getting as much money as possible for the player while keeping him away from their direct rivals. Advertisement Fellow Serie A giants Juventus are very keen, but Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is determined not to strengthen a potential title contender, and 'hopes to find a foreign club that will settle the bill and satisfy the Nigerian'. The report suggests that Osimhen's decision to wait is encouraging to Juventus, but notes that if another club comes along in the meantime, or if the Turin side fail to sell Dusan Vlahovic, his future could like beyond Serie A. Osimhen spent last season on loan at Galatasaray where he was as prolific as ever, scoring 37 goals in 41 games and supplying eight assists. He would be an ideal striker to drop into Ruben Amorim's goal-starved squad, with the experience and mentality to hit the ground running and drag the Red Devils up by their bootstraps. Advertisement Even amongst Premier League clubs United do not have a clear run at the player, however, with Liverpool reportedly entering talks for him and Chelsea long holding an interest. Osimhen declined a gigantic offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal earlier this summer which boosted hopes for prospective employers across Europe. Ultimately, however, it feels like a long-running saga with the end not yet in sight for either the player or United. Featured image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Nick Saban Possibly Playing Major Role in Recruitment of 5-Star Linebacker
Nick Saban Possibly Playing Major Role in Recruitment of 5-Star Linebacker originally appeared on Athlon Sports. "Pulling out all the stops" just means different when it comes to the Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting elite football players. Advertisement On Friday, 2026, five-star edge rusher Anthony Jones took his official visit to Alabama. Jones shared his experience via Instagram, and making an appearance was none other than former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban. Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Nick Saban walks off the field after it was renamed in his honor at Bryant-Denny Stadium during halftime of Alabamaís win over South Florida 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Saban spent 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, winning double-digit games every season sans his first. More impressively, he won six national titles, coached four Heisman Trophy Award winners, and won a ludicrous 16 bowl games. He retired following the conclusion of the 2023 season, but his successor, former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer, hoped Saban would stay involved with the program in some capacity. Advertisement Saban meeting with the top prospect's family on Friday is one way to remain invested in the program. Jones is a top-ten edge rush prospect in the class of 2026 per 247Sports. Alongside Alabama, his recruitment has no shortage of suitors, with him holding offers from the Oregon Ducks, Texas A&M Aggies, Miami Hurricanes, Auburn Tigers, LSU Tigers, Clemson Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and the Georgia Bulldogs, among others. Alabama has two hard commits from edge rushers in the 2026 class, but Jones would undoubtedly be their biggest get. Cooper Petagna, the National Recruiting Analyst for 247Sports, says, "Jones displays a collegiate-ready frame in conjunction with an explosive lower half that bodes well for his ability to make an impact sooner rather than later at the next level." Related: Alabama Dealt Disappointing Recruiting News on Thursday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
