and handed in a transfer request, but began the 1983–84 season still playing for the Citizens and he remained there until December 1983 when he made the move to Arsenal for £500,000. Arsenal Caton made his Arsenal debut against West Bromwich Albion on 4 December. However, after playing as a first team regular under the management of Don Howe in his first two years at Arsenal as David O'Leary's partner, he lost his place to Martin Keown and the young Tony Adams during the 1985–86 season, at the end of which Howe was replaced by George Graham. By February 1987, Caton had scored three goals in 95 appearances for Arsenal, but had not played first-team football in almost a year. Oxford United In February 1987, Caton was sold to Oxford United for £160,000. He was named club captain soon after his arrival and helped them avoid relegation from the First Division during his opening months at the Manor Ground. He also missed out on a chance of silverware when Oxford were knocked out in the semifinals of the 1987–88 League Cup. Charlton Athletic He remained at Oxford until 18 November 1988, when he was sold to Charlton Athletic for £100,000 in order to play in the First Division again. Caton stayed with Charlton after their relegation in 1990, but was injured the following January and never played first team football again. He finally announced his retirement in March 1993 having failed to make a full recovery. He had played 57 league games for Charlton, scoring five goals. Personal life Caton was born in Kirkby, Lancashire. He was married to Gill, and had three children. His son Andy also played League football. At the age of 30, a month after he announced his retirement, Caton suddenly died of a heart attack at home in Oxfordshire. Honours Club Manchester City FA Youth Cup runner-up: 1978–79, 1979–80 FA Cup runner-up: 1980–81 Individual Manchester City Player of the Year: 1982 References External links Charlton Athletic at Sporting Heroes 1962 births 1993 deaths People from Kirkby English footballers Association football central defenders England schools international footballers England youth international footballers England under-21 international footballers Manchester City F.C. players Arsenal F.C. players Oxford United F.C. players Charlton Athletic F.C. players English Football League players FA Cup Final players