Caton was born in Widnes,[5] where he attended Wade Deacon High School. As well as football, he played rugby league at school, and was a member of his Year 10 team that reached the Champion Schools final at Twickenham in 2009.[6] Caton played football for boys' team Widnes Wolves[citation needed] before joining Bolton Wanderers as a nine-year-old schoolboy. He was a part of the England U16s setup that won the Victory shield and turned professional with Bolton in 2010,[7] but was released in the summer of 2012. After a trial with Derby County,[8][9] Caton scored against Everton in Keith Southern's testimonial match as part of a successful trial with Blackpool.[10]
Club career
Blackpool
Caton signed a two-year contract with Football League Championship club Blackpool, with the option of a third year, in August 2012.[11] He said his move to Blackpool was motivated by the club's playing style.[12] Named twice on the bench in his first year, against Cardiff City and Watford,[2] his senior debut came on 31 August 2013, as a late substitute for Nathan Delfouneso in a 1–0 win against Watford.[13]
He joined League Two club Accrington Stanley on a month's loan in October 2013,[14] and made his debut in a 2–1 loss against Dagenham & Redbridge, coming on as a substitute for Nicky Hunt in the 59th minute.[15] However, his loan was cut short due to injury.[16] In March 2014, he went on loan again, to Conference Premier club Chester until the end of the season.[17] He scored on his debut, having come on as a half-time substitute against Grimsby Town,[18] but made no more appearances for the club.[2]
Following his release by Blackpool, Caton joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer in June 2014.[20] 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.[21]
Having only been on the fringes of the first-team squad, he went on loan to Southport in January 2015.[22] After returning to his parent club, he captained a young Shrewsbury side to victory over local rivals AFC Telford United in the Shropshire Senior Cup final, also scoring the opening goal in a 3–1 win.[23]
Just prior to the start of the following season, Caton joined League Two club Mansfield Town on a one-month loan,[24] during which he made a single appearance in the League Cup.[25] In November 2015, he signed for Wrexham of the National League on loan until January.[26] On his return to Shrewsbury, he made another loan move, to another National League club, Lincoln City, for the rest of the season.[27]
Caton was released by Shrewsbury Town when his contract expired.[28]
Non-league career
Caton joined up once again with Lincoln City in the following pre-season with a view to earning a permanent deal,[29] but was unable to agree terms.[30] He signed a six-month contract with National League club Southport in August 2016.[31][32] His 23 league appearances produced two goals[2] – a consolation in a 4–1 defeat to Barrow,[33] and the winning goal at Torquay United,[34] – and his contract was not renewed.[32]
Caton joined National League rivals Dover Athletic on 2 February 2017 for what remained of the season.[35] He played twice, in the quarter-final and semi-final of the Kent Senior Cup, and scored in each match, but made no league appearances.[4][36]
Alongside his football career, Caton studied for a BA degree in football coaching and management with UCFB, which he completed in 2021.[43] He then rejoined Dover Athletic.[4] Caton was released after one season following relegation.[44]
On 3 September 2022, Caton joined National League North club Hereford;[45] he was released three months later,[46] subsequently joining Nantwich Town.[47] He joined Northern Premier League promotion hopefuls Bamber Bridge in March 2023,[48] and moved on to divisional rival Ashton United for the 2023–24 season.[49]
