Colin Caton has already created one football fairytale – can he do it again?

New Ruthin Town manager Colin Caton has made a nostalgic return to the club where he once played – including an appearance as a stand-in goalkeeper!

Back in 2000-01, a time when players could sign for two clubs at once and represent each in the same season, the illustrious name C Caton featured on Ruthin’s team sheet for a Cymru Alliance game at Porthmadog – in the unfamiliar number one jersey.

Colossal defender Caton’s main club at that stage was Colwyn Bay, but he occasionally used to help Ruthin out.

Town lost 2-1 at Port that day in March 2001, but 24 years on, Caton will now have the chance to make new memories at the Memorial Playing Fields as a manager of Ruthin.

In June this year, Caton, 55, ended a remarkable 22-year stint as boss of Cymru Premier League club Bala Town.

He was in charge of the Lakesiders for 875 league and cup games with a win rate of 53% – a really good return over so many matches.

Caton led Bala Town, a tier 3 side when he took over, to the promised land of the Cymru Premier for 16 consecutive seasons, where they finished runners-up three times, as well as lifting the Welsh Cup and Nathaniel MG Cup and competing in nine European campaigns.

Now the legend takes the helm at Ruthin Town of the Cymru North, who parted company with Dave Evans this week sitting fourth-bottom of the table.

A club spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to welcome Colin to Ruthin Town FC. His experience and record speak for themselves. More importantly, he’s a leader who embodies the ambition and values we hold as a club. We’re confident he will make a big impact and inspire everyone involved.

“Everyone at Ruthin Town FC extends a warm welcome to Colin and looks forward to an exciting future together.”

Born on August 22, 1970, former Wrexham AFC prospect Colin Vincent Caton was an imposing centre-back over an impressive career which included spells at Colwyn Bay, Witton Albion, Ruthin Town and Cefn Druids.

He was first involved with Ruthin in the youth set up and played for the men’s teams as a teenager in 1987, then later, as aforementioned, occasionally featured for the club later on.

Caton was also for many years a star of the Llandyrnog and District Village Clubs Summer Football League, where he stood out for Llangynhafal.

His involvement at Bala Town started in 2003 and his 22 years in charge turned into the stuff of dreams for a club with humble beginnings.

The challenge of lifting Ruthin’s fortunes in a high-class Tier 2 league is a considerable one, but who better than a man who achieved what he did with Bala?

It is a good time to be joining Ruthin Town, who have just secured a major sponsorship with Blazers Fuels, which will provide crucial support for investment in facilities, player development and community programmes.

Ruthin Town is an FAW platinum accredited community club, with more than 400 registered players and coaches across all age groups, from under-six Mini Stars to senior men’s, women’s and girls’ teams.

The club’s Memorial Playing Fields have been majorly upgraded in recent times, and has hosted several FAW and UEFA international fixtures, raising its profile and reach beyond the immediate community.

With all that ongoing, the club perhaps needed a high-profile manager with proven success to take them further forward.

Enter Colin Caton…..the Welsh football dreammaker.