Since it was confirmed by the FAW that the 2019-2020 season would not resume, Bala Town manager Colin Caton has acted quickly in beginning to assemble his squad for next season.
Anthony Stephens, Steve Leslie, Lassana Mendes, Jonny Spittle, Andrew Burns and Kieran Smith have all signed new contracts ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
They are joined by Cymru Premier Golden Boot winner Chris Venables, who has also put pen to paper for Colin Caton’s side.
Chris Venables: Golden Boot winner pens new deal with Bala
Stuart Jones, Mike Hayes, Josh Tibbetts, Louis Robles, Ashley Morris and Nathan Burke have all left Maes Tegid, but the Lakesiders have acted quickly in filling the void.
We take a look at Colin Caton’s new signings and what they will bring to Maes Tegid.
Alex Ramsay
The Lakesiders have acted quickly in organising their goalkeeping options ahead of the 2020-2021 season, with the news that Alex Ramsay has joined from Caernarfon Town and Josh Tibbetts has signed for the Cofis, with Ashley Morris also departing.
Alex Ramsay: Cofis shot-stopper joins Bala Town
After Ramsay’s signing was revealed, Caton was delighted to get his man, saying that he’s “been an admirer of Alex for quite a number of years now, his kicking and talking at the back is going to add a lot to us.”
“What we look for in lads, Alex ticks all the boxes plus his ability as a goalkeeper, he’s working hard this summer now to get himself fit,” Caton added.
“I spoke to him last season but he was contracted on a two year deal and as soon as his contract expired, he was in touch. I was really pleased he’s signed for us – welcome onboard Alex.”
The former Cofis’ shot-stopper kept eight clean sheets in the Cymru Premier last season.
In comparison to Caernarfon Town’s rivals, the Cofis matched Bala Town and Newtown’s clean sheets tally, while falling just short of Barry Town’s nine and Connah’s Quay Nomads’ eleven clean sheets respectively.
Ramsay’s safe hands will add to a strong Bala Town defence that conceded just 23 goals last season, keeping five consecutive clean sheets in November and December.
The arrival of Alex Ramsay at Maes Tegid and Josh Tibbetts at The Oval are certainly positive signings for both parties, as the shot-stoppers are regarded as some of the Cymru Premier’s best goalkeepers.
Josh Tibbetts: Former Bala goalkeeper joins Caernarfon
Nathan Peate
Just a day after the news that Stuart Jones left the Lakesiders after nine years, Colin Caton secured the signing of Nathan Peate from Cefn Druids.
Nathan Peate: Defender swaps The Rock for Maes Tegid
Peate, 29, has impressed during his time at The Rock, catching the eye of Wales C manager Mark Jones, who selected him in his squad to face England C in March.
On the signing, Caton said, “Nathan has established himself as a very good centre half over the last few years at Cefn Druids.”
The Lakesiders’ manager added, “I’ve been a big admirer of him for a long time and it’s great to get him over the line and bring him on board with us.”
The centre-back was part of the Cefn Druids side who won the European play-offs in the 2017-2018 and therefore has invaluable experience of European competition.
Peate will slot into a Bala Town defence that conceded the second lowest amount of goals in the Cymru Premier last season (23), four goals greater than Connah’s Quay Nomads, who conceded 19.
Highly-regarded by Cymru Premier fans, the centre-back provides European experience ahead of another Bala Town Europa League campaign and is a solid replacement for Stuart Jones.
Will Evans
The Lakesiders’ first signing of the summer was Will Evans, 22, from Cardiff Met, who scored seven goals in the Cymru Premier last season.
On Evans’ arrival, Caton said that the club “are really pleased to get Will. He has been at Cardiff Met University for a number of years now and played against us on a number of occasions and been a player that I’ve really, really admired.”
With the news that Louis Robles has left Maes Tegid to join Scott Ruscoe’s The New Saints, the signing of Evans is a positive replacement.
- Met forward Will Evans says an emotional farewell to Archers as he joins Bala
- Will Evans: Cardiff Met forward moves to Bala
- Louis Robles: Bala Town forward joins New Saints
In similar vein to Nathan Peate, Will Evans’ form for Cardiff Met caught the eye of Wales C manager Mark Jones, who included him in his squad to face England C in March.
Evans formed some strong, creative partnerships during his time with the Archers, notably alongside Met’s talisman Eliot Evans, who netted nine goals last season.
The former Cardiff Met attacker will therefore add even more dynamism to Bala Town’s attack, linking up with Cymru Premier Golden Boot winner Chris Venables and the creative Henry Jones.
Similarly to Nathan Peate, Will Evans has experience of European competition from his time with Cardiff Met, which will also be invaluable as Bala Town return to Europa League competition.
(Featured Image: Lewi Mitchell)
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