James Caton

Early life and career

Caton was born in Widnes, where he attended Wade Deacon High School. As well as football, he played rugby league at school, and was a member of his Year 7 team that reached the Champion Schools final at Twickenham, where he scored a full length try in the win in 2005. Caton played football for boys' team Widnes Wolves before joining Bolton Wanderers as a nine-year-old schoolboy. He was a part of the England U16s setup that won the Victory shield & turned professional with Bolton in 2010, but was released in the summer of 2012. After a trial with Derby County, Caton scored against Everton in Keith Southern's testimonial match as part of a successful trial with Blackpool.

Blackpool

Caton signed a two-year contract with Football League Championship club Blackpool, with the option of a third year, in August 2012. Caton stated his move to Blackpool was motivated with the club's playing style.

After only being named twice on the bench in his first year, against Cardiff City and Watford, his senior debut came a year later, on 31 August 2013 in a 1–0 win against Watford as a late substitute for Nathan Delfouneso.

Caton joined League Two side Accrington Stanley on a month's loan in October 2013, making his debut in a 2–1 loss against Dagenham & Redbridge, coming on as a substitute for Nicky Hunt in the 59th minute. However, his loan was cut short due to injury which led to Caton returning to Blackpool. In March 2014, he went on loan again to Conference side Chester until the end of the season. He scored on his debut, having come on as a half time substitute against Grimsby Town, but failed to make another appearance for the club.

At the end of the 2013–14 season, Caton was released.

Shrewsbury Town

Following his release by Blackpool, Caton joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer in June 2014. He made his league debut as a 57th-minute substitute for Ashley Vincent, in a 2–1 win over Tranmere Rovers on 16 August 2014.

Having only been on the fringes of the first team squad, he went on loan to Southport in January 2015, and after returning to his parent club the following month, he captained a young Shrewsbury side to victory over local rivals AFC Telford in the Shropshire Senior Cup final, also scoring the opening goal in a 3–1 win.

Just prior to the start of the following season, Caton joined Mansfield Town on a one-month loan deal, making a single appearance for the club in the League Cup. In November 2015, he joined Wrexham on loan until January. On his return to Shrewsbury, he made another loan move, to Lincoln City for the rest of the season.

It was announced that Caton was to be released by Shrewsbury Town in May 2016. He joined up once again with Lincoln City in the following pre-season with a view to earning a permanent deal.

Southport

After being unable to agree terms at Lincoln, Caton signed for Southport in August 2016. He scored twice in twenty-three league appearances, a consolation in a 4−1 defeat to Barrow, and the winning goal in a 2−1 victory at Torquay United, before being released at the end of his contract in January 2017.

Dover Athletic

Following his release from Southport, Caton joined fellow National League side Dover Athletic on 2 February 2017. He made his first appearance for the Whites and netted his first goal for the club in their Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final tie against VCD Athletic on 6 February, which they went on to win 4-0.

Darlington

Following his release from Dover, Caton joined National League North side Darlington on 17 July 2017.

Career statistics

Footnotes