Bala Town move quickly to appoint new management team

Bala Town Football Club have moved quickly to appoint a new management team following last week’s surprise departure of long-serving Colin Caton.

Steve Fisher has been unveiled as first team manager and Ryan Valentine as head coach ahead of the 2025–26 season.

The pair take over at Maes Tegid following the resignation last week of Caton after 22 years as first team boss in which he transformed the Lakesiders from Tier 3 strugglers into a Cymru Premier force, Welsh Cup winners and nine-time European participants.

Fisher and Valentine need no introduction to Bala fans as they were members of Caton’s management team for many years.

The new managerial partnership will retain the continuity within the club.

Fisher and Valentine bring over 30 years of service to the Lakesiders, having been pivotal figures on the pitch and in the dugout. Their dedication, experience, and leadership make this new management structure a natural progression for the club.

Fisher has served in multiple roles at Bala since joining in 2005, while Valentine, who signed for the club in 2013 and has become a respected figure within the squad and coaching team, will take charge of day-to-day coaching operations as head coach.

The 51-year-old Fisher played for Holywell Town, Caernarfon Town and Rhyl before beginning his long association with Bala 20 years ago.

Former Wales Under-21 international Valentine, 42, played professionally for many years and is fondly remember for his short spell at Wrexham

In May 2007, he played a vital part in the Dragons’ bid for survival, scoring the penalty in Wrexham’s must win game oagainst Boston United which levelled the score at 1–1. Wrexham won 3–1 and stayed in the Football League.

He was a pro at Everton at the start of his career and later went on to also represent Darlington, Hereford United and AFC Telford United before signing for Bala 12 years ago.