Lee Collins (footballer born 1988)

For other people named Lee Collins, see Lee Collins (disambiguation).
Lee Collins

Collins in September 2010 with Port Vale.
Personal information
Full name Lee Harvey Collins[1]
Date of birth 28 September 1988 (1988-09-28) (age 23)[2]
Place of birth Telford, England[3]
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Port Vale
Number 15
Youth career
2004–2007 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2007–2009 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 (0)
2007–2008 → Hereford United (loan) 16 (0)
2008 → Port Vale (loan) 22 (0)
2009– Port Vale 116 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 2 January 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Lee Harvey Collins (born 28 September 1988) is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is a defender who can play as either a centre-back or as a full-back.

He graduated through the Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy to turn professional in February 2007. He spent much of the 2007–08 season on loan at Hereford United, helping the club to win promotion into League One. He joined Port Vale on loan at the start of the 2008–09 season, and his loan stay was made permanent in January 2009. He played 53 games for the club in 2009–10, and continued to be a key member of the defence in 2010–11.

Contents

Club career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Born in Telford, Shropshire, Collins was promoted to Wolverhampton Wanderers' first team squad for the first time in January 2007, signing his first professional forms the next month.[4] Though regularly on the bench, he never made a first team appearance. However he played regularly for the club at reserve level and with the under-18s, for whom he was captain.

He joined Hereford United on 14 November 2007 on an initial month's loan,[5] and made his league debut on 17 November 2007 in a 3–2 win at Stockport County. After impressing, his loan was extended to the end of the season,[6][7] during which Hereford won promotion to League One.

Port Vale

Collins went on loan to League Two side Port Vale at the start of the 2008–09 season,[8] and became a first team regular. Vale then signed him on a two-and-a-half year deal on 16 January 2009 after "Wolves" agreed to release him from the rest of his deal at Molineux.[9][10] He gained his first senior goal in a 1–1 home draw with Wycombe Wanderers on 25 April 2009.[11] With 42 appearances to his name in his first season with the club, he was described as the most consistent performer of the season.[12]

He remained in the first team for the start of the 2009–10 campaign. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.[13] Despite this he remained a key member of the defence, alongside Gareth Owen and John McCombe. Playing regular football helped Collins realize that he needed to 'bulk out' to become a more physically dominant player.[14] His solid performances attracted attention, as well as March 2010 rumours of a £200,000 move to Watford.[15] Rumours that Collins rubbished as "paper talk".[16] A candidate for Player of the Year, he instead picked up Chairman's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards, as well as the award for Best Assist "following his storming run from inside his own half to set up Marc Richards against Hereford at Vale Park".[17] Collins was keen to extend his contract beyond its conclusion in the summer of 2011.[18]

He got the perfect start to the 2010–11 season by blasting in the only goal of the opening game of the season at Bury.[19] Anticipating interest from other clubs, in September Adams began negotiations to extend his contract by a further season.[20] Upon signing the deal Collins praised current and former training staff at the club, naming Dean Glover, Lee Sinnott, Mark Grew, Geoff Horsfield, and Micky Adams as people who helped his progress 'massively'.[21] His consistency over his 48 appearances helped Vale to boast one of the strongest defensive records in the division that season.

He missed a few weeks at the start of the 2011–12 season after undergoing a small operation to repair a hernia-related problem.[22] He was then sidelined for a further five weeks after he had to undergo surgery on an unrelated groin injury.[23] Vale conceded eighteen goals in the twelve games that Collins missed,[24] before keeping a clean sheet on his return to the first team on 12 November, a goalless draw with Grimsby Town in the FA Cup.[25]

International career

Collins was called up to the England under-19's, but did not earn a cap. Despite this he does not rule out one day playing for Ireland, who he qualifies for through his Irish father.[26]

Style of play

Port Vale teammate Marc Richards said he had "no doubt" that Collins would one day become a Championship player.[27] Words reiterated by Gareth Owen.[28]

"He reads the game well, he's fast, he's strong...[and has] strength and pace, and he's got vision as well."
—Richards speaking in February 2010.[27]

Port Vale manager Micky Adams claimed that Collins always gave his all in training, and was a "remarkable athlete... [in] terms of fitness."[27]

Personal life

Collins attended Thomas Telford School as a youth, alongside fellow professionals such as Elliott Bennett and Danny Guthrie. Also attending the school was future Port Vale teammate Sam Morsy. His partner Rachel gave birth to their baby daughter, Amelia, on 15 December 2010.[29]

Statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2007–08[30] Wolverhampton Wanderers Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08[30] Hereford United League Two 16 0 4 0 0 0 20 0
2008–09[31] Wolverhampton Wanderers Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09[31] Port Vale League Two 39 1 2 0 1 0 42 1
2009–10[32] Port Vale League Two 45 1 3 0 3 0 53 1
2010–11[33] Port Vale League Two 42 2 2 0 2 0 48 2
2011–12[34] Port Vale League Two 12 0 2 0 1 0 16 0
Total England 154 4 13 0 7 0 178 4
Career total 154 4 13 0 7 0 178 4
Notes

Honours

Individual
Promotions

References

  1. ^ "search births indexes 1837 - 2006". Findmypast.com. http://www.findmypast.co.uk/birth-indexes-search-start.action?redef=0. Retrieved 2 May 2009. 
  2. ^ a b "Name: Lee Collins". port-vale.co.uk. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10381~38222,00.html. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
  3. ^ Lee Collins career stats at Soccerbase
  4. ^ "Academy stars rewarded by Wolves". BBC Sport. 27 February 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/6401195.stm. Retrieved 7 June 2009. 
  5. ^ "Hereford recruit Wolves defender". BBC Sport. 14 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/7094634.stm. Retrieved 7 June 2009. 
  6. ^ "Collins extends stay at Hereford". BBC Sport. 23 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/7148378.stm. Retrieved 7 June 2009. 
  7. ^ "Collins enjoying Bulls loan spell". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/7232553.stm. Retrieved 7 June 2009. 
  8. ^ "Collins makes Valiants loan move". BBC Sport. 31 July 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7534933.stm. Retrieved 7 June 2009. 
  9. ^ "Breaking news: Brammer and Collins sign". The Sentinel. 16 January 2009. http://www.thewonderofyou.co.uk/news/Breaking-news--Brammer-and-Collins-sign.aspx. Retrieved 16 January 2009. 
  10. ^ "Collins and Brammer sign for Vale". BBC Sport. 16 January 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7833268.stm. Retrieved 7 June 2009. 
  11. ^ Shaw, Steve (25 April 2009). "Match Report: Port Vale 1 Wycombe 1". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Match-Report-Port-Vale-1-Wycombe-1/article-936901-detail/article.html. Retrieved 25 April 2009. 
  12. ^ "Port Vale: Match stats". The Sentinel. 4 May 2009. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Match-stats/article-959501-detail/article.html. Retrieved 4 May 2009. 
  13. ^ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm. Retrieved 27 September 2009. 
  14. ^ "Port Vale defender Lee Collins wants to 'bulk out'". BBC Sport. 10 December 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8406423.stm. Retrieved 10 December 2009. 
  15. ^ "transfer rumours: Wayne Rooney to Real Madrid?". The Guardian. 12 March 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/12/football-transfer-rumours-rooney-real-madrid. Retrieved 13 March 2010. 
  16. ^ "Port Vale: Collins shrugs off transfer talk". The Sentinel. 20 March 2010. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Collins-shrugs-transfer-talk/article-1929480-detail/article.html. Retrieved 20 March 2010. 
  17. ^ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Griffith-takes-home-accolade/article-2145856-detail/article.html. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
  18. ^ Shaw, Steve (21 May 2010). "Port Vale: Collins keen to extend Vale stay". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Collins-keen-extend-Vale-stay/article-2184130-detail/article.html. Retrieved 21 May 2010. 
  19. ^ Shaw, Steve (7 August 2010). "Match report: Bury 0 Port Vale 1". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Match-report-Bury-0-Port-Vale-1/article-2502539-detail/article.html. Retrieved 7 August 2010. 
  20. ^ Shaw, Steve (16 September 2010). "Port Vale: Micky Adams set to open talks on new Collins deal". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Adams-set-open-talks-new-Collins-deal/article-2650928-detail/article.html. Retrieved 16 September 2010. 
  21. ^ "Lee Collins and Stuart Tomlinson agree Port Vale deals". BBC Sport. 27 September 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9034232.stm. Retrieved 30 May 2011. 
  22. ^ "Operation for Collins". port-vale.co.uk. 6 September 2011. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2443159,00.html. Retrieved 7 September 2011. 
  23. ^ "Collins to Have Operation". port-vale.co.uk. 1 October 2011. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2469477,00.html. Retrieved 1 October 2011. 
  24. ^ "Lee Collins injury return boosts Port Vale - Mark Grew". BBC Sport. 8 November 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15639062.stm. Retrieved 8 November 2011. 
  25. ^ "Port Vale 0 - 0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 12 November 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15604898.stm. Retrieved 26 December 2011. 
  26. ^ "Vale was the right move for new recruit Collins". The Sentinel. 31 January 2009. http://www.thewonderofyou.co.uk/news/Vale-was-the-right-move-for-new-recruit-Collins.aspx. Retrieved 31 January 2009. 
  27. ^ a b c Shaw, Steve (2 February 2010). "Port Vale: Richards predicts big things for team-mate Collins". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Richards-predicts-big-things-team-mate-Collins/article-1785928-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2 February 2010. 
  28. ^ "Lee Collins can play at higher level, says Gareth Owen". BBC Sport. 4 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8495278.stm. Retrieved 4 February 2010. 
  29. ^ Shaw, Steve (29 January 2011). "Port Vale: Collins hopes greater responsibilities will benefit club". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Collins-hopes-greater-responsibilities-benefit-club/article-3158857-detail/article.html. Retrieved 29 January 2011. 
  30. ^ a b "Games played by Lee Collins in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46038&season_id=137. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  31. ^ a b "Games played by Lee Collins in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46038&season_id=138. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  32. ^ "Games played by Lee Collins in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46038&season_id=139. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  33. ^ "Games played by Lee Collins in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46038&season_id=140. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  34. ^ "Games played by Lee Collins in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46038&season_id=141. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 

External links

Port Vale F.C. – current squad