Colin Hawkins
Encyclopedia
Colin Hawkins is an Irish
professional footballer. Hawkins is a central defender
with Dundalk
, and has represented the Republic of Ireland
at youth and U21
levels.
, and played for them in the 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.
, 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
.
, 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.
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.
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.
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.
in his second spell as manager at League One
Brighton
, agreeing a two-year contract. Hawkins and Adams
had previously worked together at Coventry
. Following the completion of his two-year contract, Hawkins was released by Brighton.
as he wanted to return home for family reasons. He was part of the team that bowed out the UEFA Europa league after losing 4-6 on aggregate to Marítimo. Hawkins found himself with out a club three weeks before the start of the 2011 season after Sporting Fingal cancelled all their players contracts and later folded.
folded Hawkins followed his former team mate Greg Bolger
and signed a one year deal with Dundalk
.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
professional footballer. Hawkins is a central defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
with Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
, and has represented the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
at youth and U21
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
levels.
Coventry City
Hawkins began his playing career with local Galway side Salthill DevonSalthill Devon F.C.
Salthill Devon F.C. is an Irish football club currently playing in the League of Ireland First Division in the Republic of Ireland. The club hails from Salthill, Ireland and play their home matches at Drom Clubhouse. Club colours are light blue and white stripes and their current manager is Paul...
, and played for them in the League of Ireland Cup aged 17. After finishing his secondary education Hawkins was offered a 2 year contract with then English Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
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.
St Patrick's Athletic
Despite interest from several British sides Hawkins signed for Irish top flight club St Patrick's AthleticSt Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
, where he linked up with fellow Bronze medallists from the FIFA World Youth Championships, Trevor Molloy
Trevor Molloy
Trevor Molloy is a semi-professional, Irish football player who is currently playing for Bluebell United in the Leinster Senior League....
and Thomas Morgan
Thomas Morgan (footballer)
Thomas Morgan is a former Irish footballer.Thomas Morgan came to prominence during the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championships where he captained the Irish team which won the bronze medal...
. 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
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
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
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
.
Doncaster Rovers
Hawkins was signed by Ian SnodinIan Snodin
Ian Snodin is a retired footballer most notable for playing for Doncaster Rovers and Everton. He also played for Leeds United, Sunderland, Oldham Athletic and Scarborough.-Early career:...
, 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.
Bohemians
November 2001 saw Hawkins return to Ireland to play for BohemiansBohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
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
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
due to consistent poor performances.
Shelbourne
At the end of the 2004 season, Bohemians Dublin rivals ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
signed 3 out-of-contract players from Bohemians; Hawkins, Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe
Glen Crowe is an Irish professional football forward who currently plays for Malahide United in the Leinster Senior League....
, and Bobby Ryan
Bobby Ryan (footballer)
Bobby Ryan is an Irish footballer who plays for Galway United.-Career:Ryan had a schoolboy career with the Geraldines nursery club in Limerick and had progressed to play for Limerick and Galway United, before Stephen Kenny signed him for Bohemians in January 2002.He made his debut for the club...
. 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.
Coventry City
In January 2007 Hawkins made a free transfer back to ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, 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
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
stay clear of relegation. A troublesome Achilles injury restricted Hawkins to just a solitary start in his second season (against Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in the Carling Cup) and with the arrival of new manager Chris Coleman
Chris Coleman (footballer)
Christopher "Chris" Coleman is a Welsh football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Greek Side Larissa....
he was deemed surplus to requirements and his contract was not renewed.
Brighton & Hove Albion
On the 28 May 2008, it was revealed that Hawkins had become first signing by manager Micky AdamsMicky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
in his second spell as manager at League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, agreeing a two-year contract. Hawkins and Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
had previously worked together at Coventry
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
. Following the completion of his two-year contract, Hawkins was released by Brighton.
Sporting Fingal
Hawkins returned to Ireland in June 2010 when he signed for Sporting FingalSporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
as he wanted to return home for family reasons. He was part of the team that bowed out the UEFA Europa league after losing 4-6 on aggregate to Marítimo. Hawkins found himself with out a club three weeks before the start of the 2011 season after Sporting Fingal cancelled all their players contracts and later folded.
Dundalk
Two days after Sporting FingalSporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
folded Hawkins followed his former team mate Greg Bolger
Greg Bolger
Greg Bolger, born in Wexford on 9 September 1988, is a footballer playing with League of Ireland side Dundalk. He began his League of Ireland career with UCD....
and signed a one year deal with Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
- 1997/98 - St Patrick's Athletic
- 1998/99 - St Patrick's Athletic
- 2002/03 - Bohemians
- 2006 - Shelbourne
- FIFA World Youth Championships
- 1997 - Republic of Ireland - Bronze medal
- 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)
External links
- Colin Hawkins player profile at seagulls.co.uk
- Colin Hawkins player profile at ccfc.co.uk
- Hawkins on soccerbase