FORMER captain Michael Byron has ended a short stay with Northwich Victoria to join Welsh Premier League club Bala Town.

The Liverpool-based stopper crosses the border after making less than 20 starts for Andy Preece’s men since a switch from Droylsden at the turn of the year.

He is the second central defender to leave the Victoria Stadium this week.

Fellow Merseysider Matthew Brown has returned closer to home after signing for Vics’ Evo-Stik League Premier Division rivals Marine.

The 21-year-old missed most of the second half of last season with a recurrent groin injury that required surgery, his comeback having been cut short after a brief substitute appearance at neighbours Nantwich Town in January.

Before Christmas he had made just seven starts in league and cup.

Brown joins fellow former Northwich players Sam Barnes and Paul Henry, who both had spells with Vics last term, at the Arriva Stadium.