Colin Hawkins

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Colin Hawkins
Personal information
Full name Colin Hawkins
Date of birth August 17, 1977 (1977-08-17) (age 30)
Place of birth    Galway, Republic of Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Brighton
Number TBA
Youth clubs
Salthill Devon
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1995-1997
1997-2000
2000-2001
2001-2004
2004-2007
2007-2008
2008
2008-
Coventry City
St Patrick's Athletic
Doncaster Rovers
Bohemians
Shelbourne
Coventry City
Chesterfield (Loan)
Brighton
00 0(0)
89 (17)
38 0(4)
88 0(5)
52 0(3)
13 0(0)
5 0(0)
0   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 28th May 2008.
* Appearances (Goals)

Colin Hawkins (born August 17, 1977 in Galway, County Galway), is an Irish professional footballer who currently plays for Brighton in English League One. Hawkins is a central defender, and has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and U21 levels.

Contents

[edit] Playing career

[edit] Coventry City

Hawkins began his playing career with local Galway side Salthill Devon, and played for them in the Football League of Ireland Cup aged 17. After finishing his secondary education Hawkins was offered a 2 year contract with then English Premiership side Coventry City after impressing in trials. After the 1996/97 season the Coventry management deemed Hawkins to be surplus to requirements and released him, having never played a senior game. That summer he played a starring role in the Brian Kerr managed Republic of Ireland under-20 side in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championships, helping Ireland to 3rd place.

[edit] St Patrick's Athletic

Despite interest from several British sides Hawkins signed for Irish top flight club St Patrick's Athletic, where he linked up with fellow Bronze medallists from the FIFA World Youth Championships, Trevor Molloy and Thomas Morgan. Hawkins immediately earned a starting spot alongside Packie Lynch and their solid base helped St Pats win the championship in his first season. Hawkins was rewarded with the Players' Young Player of the Year Award. In November 1998 he was awarded the FAI national League player of the year award. St Pats also won the league in Hawkins second season. During these years he would represent Ireland many times at Under 21 level. Hawkins was injured at the start of the 1999/2000 season and on his return was played in a deep midfield role. He was not comfortable there and his performance levels dropped remarkably. Towards the end of the season it was announced that he would not stay with St Pats, but join English Football Conference side Doncaster Rovers.

[edit] Doncaster Rovers

Hawkins was signed by Ian Snodin, but within weeks Snodin was sacked and replaced by Steve Wignall. Wignall did not rate Hawkins as highly as Snodin did, and initially Hawkins had to be content with only substitute appearances. He broke into the starting line up in November 2000 and remained there for the rest of the 2000/01 season. Hawkins had firmly established himself in the side during the first half of the 2001/02 season but was forced to leave the club, after Doncaster were forced to cut their playing squad down due to financial restrictions.

[edit] Bohemians

November 2001 saw Hawkins return to Ireland to play for Bohemians and he made his debut for the "Gypsies" against former club St. Pats on November 30. In 2003 Hawkins won his third league winners medal as Bohemians won their second title in 3 years, though Hawkins was never a popular player in Dalymount Park due to consistent poor performances.

[edit] Shelbourne

At the end of the 2004 season, Bohemians Dublin rivals Shelbourne signed 3 out-of-contract players from Bohemians; Hawkins, Glen Crowe, and Bobby Ryan. Hawkins won his first fourth league title, and his first piece of silverware at Shelbourne, as they won their third title in 4 years in November 2006 defeating Bohemains 2-1 to clinch the top spot.

[edit] Coventry City

In January 2007 Hawkins made a free transfer back to Championship side Coventry City, the team where he signed his first professional contract. This time however Hawkins went onto makes several very impressive appreances in his first season back, helping Coventry City stay clear of relegation. A troublesome Achilles injury restricted Hawkins to just a solitary start in his second season (against Notts County in the Carling Cup) and with the arrival of new manager Chris Coleman he was deemed surplus to requirements and his contract was not renewed..

[edit] Brighton & Hove Albion

On the 28th May 2008, it was revealed that Hawkins had become first signing by manager Micky Adams in his second spell as manager at League One Brighton, agreeing a two-year contract. Hawkins and Adams had previously worked together at Coventry.[1]

[edit] Honours

  • League of Ireland Championships
    • 1997/98 - St Patrick's Athletic
    • 1998/99 - St Patrick's Athletic
    • 2002/03 - Bohemians
    • 2006 - Shelbourne
  • Individual Honours
    • 1997/98 - PFAI Young Player of the Year (St Patrick's Athletic)
    • 1998 FAI National League Player of the Year (St Patrick's Athletic)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sky Blues Defender to Sign Seagulls.co.uk, 28th May 2008. Retrieved 28th May 2008

[edit] External links