Lee Collins (footballer, born 1988)

Lee Collins

Collins playing for Port Vale in 2010
Personal information
Full nameLee Harvey Collins[1]
Date of birth28 September 1988[2]
Place of birthTelford, England[3]
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Northampton Town
Number6
Youth career
2004–2007Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2007–2009Wolverhampton Wanderers0(0)
2007–2008→ Hereford United (loan)16(0)
2008→ Port Vale (loan)22(0)
2009–2012Port Vale120(4)
2012→ Barnsley (loan)7(0)
2012–2013Barnsley0(0)
2012→ Shrewsbury Town (loan)8(0)
2013–Northampton Town70(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 3 May 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Lee Harvey Collins (born 28 September 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays for Northampton Town. He is more comfortable as a centre-back but can also play 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. He joined Barnsley on loan in March 2012, with a view to a permanent deal in the summer. From Barnsley, he was loaned out to Shrewsbury Town in September 2012. He moved on to Northampton Town in February 2013.

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.

Collins at Vale Park in a 1–0 September 2010 victory over Aldershot Town.

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] He again was sidelined in January, as he picked up an ankle injury.[26] In total he made 162 appearances for Vale, scoring four goals.[27]

Barnsley

On 15 March 2012, Collins joined Barnsley on loan for the remainder of the season, with the move becoming permanent at the end of the season.[28] Port Vale received £50,000 for the loan deal.[29] He arrived at Oakwell in the midst of an injury crisis in the Barnsley defence.[30] He impressed manager Keith Hill in his seven appearances in 2011–12, particularly in the game against Blackpool.[31]

Despite injuries to other "Tykes" defenders, he did not feature in the first team at the start of the 2012–13 season.[32] On 28 September 2012, Collins joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a month-long loan deal.[33] "Shrews" boss Graham Turner, his former manager at Hereford, said that he would provide valuable defensive experience and cover following an injury to Joe Jacobson.[33] Collins made eight appearances before he had his loan deal extended by one month.[34] On 29 November, his loan was cut short and he returned to his parent club.[35] Having never taken to the field for Barnsley in the 2012–13 season, he was released from his contract on 31 January 2013 by manager David Flitcroft.[36]

Northampton Town

Collins playing for Northampton Town in 2014

He joined Northampton Town until the end of the 2012–13 season in February 2013.[37] Manager Aidy Boothroyd signed him to provide competition in the "Cobblers" defence, particularly to left-back Joe Widdowson.[37] On 20 April, he scored an own goal at Vale Park which effectively promoted his former club, Port Vale, back into League One.[38] He was allowed to participate in the play-offs, despite being subject to a curfew order.[39] He played 55 minutes of the play-off final defeat to Bradford City.[40] He signed a new two-year contract in May 2013.[41]

He played 25 games during the 2013–14 campaign as Northampton avoided relegation out of the Football League by a three-point margin, though played only twice under new manager Chris Wilder after he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot tendon injury in February.[42] During the season he was appointed as club captain.[43]

International career

Collins was called up to the England under-19s, but did not earn a cap. Despite this he does not rule out one day playing for the Republic of Ireland, who he qualifies for through his Irish father.[44]

Style of play

Collins can play anywhere in defence, though prefers to play at centre-back.[45] Port Vale manager Micky Adams claimed that Collins always gave his all in training, and was a "remarkable athlete... [in] terms of fitness."[46] In February 2010, teammate Marc Richards said that "he reads the game well, he's fast, he's strong...[and has] strength and pace, and he's got vision as well."[46]

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.[47]

Collins was convicted for assault in April 2013 after punching and kicking a man in Shropshire the previous year, and was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.[48]

Career statistics

Collins playing for Northampton Town in 2013
As of 3 May 2014.
Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[49] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2007–08[50]Wolverhampton WanderersChampionship0000000000
2007–08[50]Hereford United (loan)League Two160400000200
2008–09[51]Wolverhampton WanderersChampionship0000000000
Total 0000000000
2008–09[51]Port ValeLeague Two391201000421
2009–10[52]451303020531
2010–11[53]422202020482
2011–12[54]160201010200
Total 14249070501634
2011–12[54]Barnsley (loan)Championship7000000070
2012–13[55]Barnsley0000000000
2012–13[55]Shrewsbury Town (loan)League One80100010100
Total 7000000070
2012–13[55]Northampton TownLeague Two150000030180
2013–14[56]221101010251
Total 371101040431
Career total 210515080902425

Honours

Hereford United

References

  1. ↑ "search births indexes 1837 - 2006". Findmypast.com. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Name: Lee Collins". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Lee Collins career statistics at Soccerbase
  4. ↑ "Academy stars rewarded by Wolves". BBC Sport. 27 February 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Hereford recruit Wolves defender". BBC Sport. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  6. ↑ "Collins extends stay at Hereford". BBC Sport. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  7. ↑ "Collins enjoying Bulls loan spell". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  8. ↑ "Collins makes Valiants loan move". BBC Sport. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Breaking news: Brammer and Collins sign". The Sentinel. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  10. ↑ "Collins and Brammer sign for Vale". BBC Sport. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  11. ↑ Shaw, Steve (25 April 2009). "Match Report: Port Vale 1 Wycombe 1". The Sentinel. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  12. ↑ "Port Vale: Match stats". The Sentinel. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
  13. ↑ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "Port Vale defender Lee Collins wants to 'bulk out'". BBC Sport. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  15. ↑ "transfer rumours: Wayne Rooney to Real Madrid?". The Guardian. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  16. ↑ "Port Vale: Collins shrugs off transfer talk". The Sentinel. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  17. ↑ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  18. ↑ Shaw, Steve (21 May 2010). "Port Vale: Collins keen to extend Vale stay". The Sentinel. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  19. ↑ Shaw, Steve (7 August 2010). "Match report: Bury 0 Port Vale 1". The Sentinel. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  20. ↑ Shaw, Steve (16 September 2010). "Port Vale: Micky Adams set to open talks on new Collins deal". The Sentinel. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  21. ↑ "Lee Collins and Stuart Tomlinson agree Port Vale deals". BBC Sport. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  22. ↑ "Operation for Collins". port-vale.co.uk. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  23. ↑ "Collins to Have Operation". port-vale.co.uk. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  24. ↑ "Lee Collins injury return boosts Port Vale - Mark Grew". BBC Sport. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  25. ↑ "Port Vale 0 - 0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  26. ↑ Questier, Joe (13 January 2012). "Team News: Vale v AFC Wimbledon". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  27. ↑ "Reds set to raid cash-strapped Vale for Collins". Barnsley Chronicle. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  28. ↑ "Barnsley complete signing of Lee Collins from Port Vale". BBC Sport. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  29. ↑ "Port Vale: Vale to pocket £50,000 for loanee Lee Collins". The Sentinel. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  30. ↑ Goulding, Neil (15 March 2012). "Collins just the man says Hill". The Star. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  31. ↑ "Collins Completes Reds Switch". barnsleyfc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  32. ↑ "Barnsley's Lee Collins joins Shrewsbury Town on loan". BBC Sport. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Defender Joins On Loan". shrewsburytown.com. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town extend Lee Collins loan from Barnsley". BBC Sport. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  35. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town end Lee Collins and Julian Bennett loan deals". BBC Sport. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  36. ↑ "Barnsley sign Rory Delap and Chris O'Grady as Mido leaves". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Lee Collins: Northampton sign defender on free transfer". BBC Sport. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  38. ↑ "Port Vale 2 - 2 Northampton". BBC Sport. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  39. ↑ "Northampton Town hope Lee Collins can play despite curfew". BBC Sport. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  40. ↑ "Bradford 3 - 0 Northampton". BBC Sport. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  41. ↑ Bazeley, Marc (24 May 2013). "Aidy Boothroyd hopes Lee Collins can help Northampton Town to promotion". Herald and Post. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  42. ↑ "Lee Collins: Northampton Town skipper out for rest of season". BBC Sport. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  43. ↑ Lake, Jefferson (10 February 2014). "Toe injury rules Cobblers captain Collins out of Torquay trip". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  44. ↑ "Vale was the right move for new recruit Collins". The Sentinel. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  45. ↑ "Hill: Collins has the "right ingredients" to be a success"". barnsleyfc.co.uk. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Shaw, Steve (2 February 2010). "Port Vale: Richards predicts big things for team-mate Collins". The Sentinel. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  47. ↑ Shaw, Steve (29 January 2011). "Port Vale: Collins hopes greater responsibilities will benefit club". The Sentinel. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  48. ↑ "Pub fight footballer Lee Collins gets suspended prison sentence". BBC Sport. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  49. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Games played by Lee Collins in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 "Games played by Lee Collins in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Lee Collins in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Lee Collins in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "Games played by Lee Collins in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 "Games played by Lee Collins in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Lee Collins in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.

External links