Lee Collins (footballer, born 1988)

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

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Lee Collins
File:Lee Collins 16-08-2014 1.jpg
Collins with Northampton Town in 2014
Personal information
Full name Lee Harvey Collins[1]
Date of birth (1988-09-28)28 September 1988[2]
Place of birth Telford, England[3]
Date of death Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.[4]
Place of death West Coker, England[5]
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Defender
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)
2009–2012 Port Vale 120 (4)
2012 → Barnsley (loan) 7 (0)
2012–2013 Barnsley 0 (0)
2012 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 8 (0)
2013–2015 Northampton Town 75 (1)
2015–2017 Mansfield Town 72 (0)
2017–2019 Forest Green Rovers 54 (3)
2019–2021 Yeovil Town 34 (0)
Total 408 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lee Harvey Collins (28 September 1988 – 31 March 2021) was an English professional footballer who played as a defender. He was more comfortable as a centre-back, but could also play as a full-back. He scored 8 goals in 470 league and cup appearances over the course of a 14-year professional career in the English Football League and National League.

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 Championship club 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 back into League Two with Northampton Town in February 2013, and spent over two years with the club before moving on to Mansfield Town; he captained both Northampton and Mansfield. He signed with Forest Green Rovers in May 2017 and stayed with the club for two seasons before joining non-League Yeovil Town in June 2019. He served Yeovil as club captain until his death, at the age of 32, in March 2021.

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.[6] 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,[7] 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,[8][9] 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,[10] 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.[11][12] He gained his first senior goal in a 1–1 home draw with Wycombe Wanderers on 25 April 2009.[13] With 42 appearances to his name in his first season with the club, he was described as the most consistent performer of the season.[14]

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.[15] 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.[16] His solid performances attracted attention, as well as March 2010 rumours of a £200,000 move to Watford.[17] Rumours that Collins rubbished as "paper talk".[18] 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".[19] Collins was keen to extend his contract beyond its conclusion in the summer of 2011.[20]

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.[21] Anticipating interest from other clubs, in September Adams began negotiations to extend his contract by a further season.[22] 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'.[23] 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.[24] He was then sidelined for a further five weeks after he had to undergo surgery on an unrelated groin injury.[25] Vale conceded eighteen goals in the twelve games that Collins missed,[26] 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.[27] He again was sidelined in January, as he picked up an ankle injury.[28] In total he made 162 appearances for Vale, scoring four goals.[29]

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.[30] Port Vale received £50,000 for the loan deal.[31] He arrived at Oakwell in the midst of an injury crisis in the Barnsley defence.[32] He impressed manager Keith Hill in his seven appearances in 2011–12, particularly in the game against Blackpool.[33]

Despite injuries to other "Tykes" defenders, he did not feature in the first team at the start of the 2012–13 season.[34] On 28 September 2012, Collins joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a month-long loan deal.[35] "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.[35] Collins made eight appearances before he had his loan deal extended by one month.[36] On 29 November, his loan was cut short and he returned to his parent club.[37] 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.[38]

Northampton Town

File:Lee Collins 16-08-2014 1.jpg
Collins playing for Northampton Town in 2014

He joined Northampton Town until the end of the 2012–13 season in February 2013.[39] Manager Aidy Boothroyd signed him to provide competition in the "Cobblers" defence, particularly to left-back Joe Widdowson.[39] On 20 April, he scored an own goal at Vale Park which effectively promoted his former club, Port Vale, back into League One.[40] He was allowed to participate in the play-offs, despite being subject to a curfew order.[41] He played 55 minutes of the play-off final defeat to Bradford City.[42] He signed a new two-year contract in May 2013.[43]

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.[44] During the season he was appointed as club captain.[45] He made 43 appearances in the 2014–15 campaign but was not offered a new contract in the summer as Wilder opted to use Zander Diamond and Ryan Cresswell as his new centre-back partnership.[46]

Mansfield Town

Collins joined League Two club Mansfield Town in June 2015, with "Stags" manager Adam Murray praising his ability and experience, saying that "To bring Lee in to the building is a big one for us".[47]

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.[48]

Style of play

Collins can play anywhere in defence, though prefers to play at centre-back.[49] Port Vale manager Micky Adams claimed that Collins always gave his all in training, and was a "remarkable athlete... [in] terms of fitness."[50] 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."[50]

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.[51]

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.[52]

Death

Collins died on 31 March 2021, aged 32. No cause of death was disclosed.[53] Police responded to call of a "sudden death" and are not treating it as suspicious.[54]

Career statistics

File:Lee Collins 03-08-2013 1.jpg
Collins playing for Northampton Town in 2013
As of 4 May 2015.
Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[55] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2007–08[56] Wolverhampton Wanderers Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08[56] Hereford United (loan) League Two 16 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
2008–09[57] Wolverhampton Wanderers Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09[57] Port Vale League Two 39 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 42 1
2009–10[58] 45 1 3 0 3 0 2 0 53 1
2010–11[59] 42 2 2 0 2 0 2 0 48 2
2011–12[60] 16 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 20 0
Total 142 4 9 0 7 0 5 0 163 4
2011–12[60] Barnsley (loan) Championship 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
2012–13[61] Barnsley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[61] Shrewsbury Town (loan) League One 8 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 10 0
Total 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
2012–13[61] Northampton Town League Two 15 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 18 0
2013–14[62] 22 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 25 1
2014–15[63] 38 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 43 0
Total 75 1 2 0 3 0 6 0 86 1
2015–16[64] Mansfield Town League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 248 5 16 0 10 0 11 0 285 5

Honours

Hereford United

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lee Collins career statistics at Soccerbase
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Yeovil21
  5. ↑ https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/police-issue-statement-following-sudden-23838165
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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