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Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie defender Sean McGinty feels early glimpses are good after Penybont friendly
The Diamonds' new signing on the club's clash with the Welsh side and settling in at New Broomfield Airdrie defender Sean McGinty feels the Diamonds have already shown glimpses of how good they can be this season after impressing against Welsh Premier League outfit Penybont on Saturday. The Diamonds were narrowly defeated 2-1 at New Broomfield in their first pre-season outing and new signing McGinty, who had the captain's armband on the day following Adam Frizzell's exit last week, was pleased with how they performed against a side preparing to play Europa Conference qualifier this week. McGinty featured alongside fellow new signings Alex King and Jamie Barjonas, who grabbed the only goal for Rhys McCabe's men with a fine finish after 59 minutes to pull a goal back. And the 31-year-old said: 'I felt it was a good game. We started really well and showed a few little glimpses of what we've been working on and I'm sure that will all come to fruition in the next couple of weeks with the more time we spend on the training pitch together. 'They have been back for a few weeks. I think they are four weeks ahead of us in terms of schedule because they are preparing for a European game next week. 'But we showed a few good passages of play and we scored a really good goal through Jamie Barjonas so there are a lot of positives to take from it. 'It's only the first game to blow the cobwebs off so we are ready for the real stuff starting against Dundee in a couple of weeks. 'I'm settling in well. I was captain just for that first game and it was good to be back out there because I've not played a game since May 2. 'We've only been back training for a week so everyone is still building relationships and seeing how everyone plays. There were a few trialists in as well so we had a bit of a split team in the game. 'But we've got a really talented squad and I'm excited for what the season brings. I'm really enjoying it, long may that continue.' Former Hamilton ace McGinty has been joined at the club by fellow ex-Accies stars Barjonas and forward Euan Henderson and it helps to have some familiar faces around. The Englishman added: 'We all know each other well and how we like to play so it is good to have that and play with Hendo and Barjo again. They both settled in well and it is a really good group we've got here. We've been working really hard and this is what you look forward to get, getting out there and playing games again. 'There will be a lot of double sessions this week and we look forward to the game with Albion Rovers this weekend to build on what we've been working on. 'We play St Mirren on the Tuesday [July 8] as well so that will be a really good test for us.' Twins sign first senior contracts Airdrieonians have announced twin brothers Cole and Dylan Williams have been rewarded for their academy endeavours with their first senior contracts. The 17-year-old midfielders gained some valuable first-team experience last season, each making two substitute appearances as they trained with the senior players and featured in a number of matchday squads. However it was in the Under 18s squad that the former St Johnstone youths regularly caught the eye, Dylan ending the season with the player of the year award as he grabbed 23 goals in 32 appearances, while Cole managed five in 33 appearances. Amid interest from elsewhere, the players have chosen to continue their career with Airdrie as they make the well-deserved step up. Manager Rhys McCabe was delighted to add the youngsters to his first-team squad, saying: 'Cole and Dylan are two exciting prospects for the future. 'They're young boys who have already benefitted from their experience in the first-team environment, and they'll continue to learn from the senior players as they try to push their way into contention.' The duo both celebrated their new deals by coming on as 69th minute substitutes during Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat to Penybont. The Diamonds were scrapping at the bottom end of the table last term and needed a play-off to stay in the Championship, after reaching the Premiership play-offs the previous season. And McGinty said: 'The gaffer hasn't spoken to us about targets yet but we don't want to be down the wrong end of the table.'
North Wales Live
07-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Top North Wales football club braced for sweeping cuts after bombshell news
A Welsh Premier League football team is braced to make sweeping financial cuts to balance the books. Bala Town are currently looking for a new manager after the shock resignation of Colin Caton this week. In a club statement, the Lakesiders said the resignation followed a 'hugely difficult and challenging 12 months' which had left their long-serving manager 'facing an almost impossible task". Club secretary Ruth Crump told BBC Radio Cymru's Ar y Marc that Bala are now assessing all aspects of their expenditure amid ongoing financial turmoil at the Gwynedd outfit. This could result in cuts of up to 30% to ensure stability. She said: 'We're looking into everything at the club in terms of our spending, facilities, training, we're looking at cuts everywhere. We're looking at between 20% and 30% (in cuts).' Following the manager's departure on Tuesday, June 3, the club rapidly launched a hunt for his successor. Candidates are being sought with a 'proven experience as a football manager or head coach at a professional or semi-professional level'. In a statement, Bala Town said: 'The issues which we as a small club within the JD Cymru Premier League have been widely discussed but there has been no assistance or resolution regarding the concerns raised. 'The challenges have had a personal affect 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.' Colin was the Cymru Premier's longest serving manager, having been in charge at Maes Tegid for 22 years and 880 games. The club said he had 'transformed us from a team languishing at a low level in Tier 3 to the very top of Welsh domestic football'. After achieving promotion in his first season to the Cymru Alliance, then to the Welsh Premier League, he'd kept them in the top-tier for 16 years – the second longest running team in the league. A highlight was an historic Welsh Senior Cup victory. The club said Colin has been an 'unbelievable servant' and he departs with their 'admiration, respect and gratitude'. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Its statement concluded: 'The club will now take the necessary steps to safeguard the future of football at Bala Town.' Deadline for managerial applications is midnight on Thursday, June 12.
Cambrian News
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Cambrian News
Bala Town's Colin Caton steps down after 22 Years
'He leaves after 880 matches at the helm and an encyclopedia of achievements – promotion in his first season to the Cymru Alliance – then three NEWFA Challenge Cup wins 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 Guardian
04-03-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Champions League last 16, first leg
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Nicky Hayen has gone from the Welsh Premier League to the Champions League pretty sharpish. I spoke to his former chairman at Haverfordwest about his time there (before Club Brugge Manchester City). Share Ben Fisher and John McGinn combine to provide you with some preview material. Share A huge evening lies ahead for Aston Villa in Brugge. This is the Champions League last 16 and the favour has been relatively kind to the Premier League side who would expect to defeat their Belgian counterparts over two legs but they have already lost in Brugge this season. That loss was the result of some mild comedy/incompetence, depending on your point of you. As John McGinn indicated in yesterday's press conference, Villa are out for revenge and will be confident of providing it. Unai Emery's side have been a mixed bag this season, partially down to the increase schedule caused by being involved in Europe's top competition. They bolstered their options in January and will be hoping that is enough to take them far in the Champions League. As for Club Brugge, they are overachieving with a fine team of youngsters. They caused problems for Manchester City in the final group game and then nigh-on humiliated Atalanta in the playoff. There is plenty of quality in their ranks and they will be eager to show it on the biggest stage once more. Kick-off: 5.45pm GMT Share
