Gary Collier (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gary Collier is an English
former professional footballer who played as a central defender
. Active in both England and the United States, Collier made over 500 career league appearances.
, Collier played in the Football League
for Bristol City
and Coventry City
between 1972 and 1980, making a total of 195 league appearances. In 1980, Collier moved to the United States, to playe for the Portland Timbers
in the North American Soccer League
. In 1982, the Timbers collapsed and Collier moved as a free agent to the San Diego Sockers for the 1982-1983 Major Indoor Soccer League season. He would play two outdoor and four indoor seasons for the Sockers. In February 1987, the Sockers sold Collier's contract to the Kansas City Comets
for $5,000. The Comets released him at the end of the season and he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Sting
. The Sting released Collier in June 1988, just before the team collapsed. In 1990, he replaced Derek Armstong
as head coach of the San Diego Nomads
in the American Professional Soccer League
. In addition to coaching, Collier also played on the Nomads' backline that year.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer who played as a central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Active in both England and the United States, Collier made over 500 career league appearances.
Career
Born in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, Collier played in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and 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...
between 1972 and 1980, making a total of 195 league appearances. In 1980, Collier moved to the United States, to playe for the Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (NASL)
The Portland Timbers were a team in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1982. The name has been used by two other soccer franchises: the Timbers of the WSA/APSL, Portland Timbers of the USL and the current team which began play as part of Major League Soccer in 2011.-History:In January...
in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. In 1982, the Timbers collapsed and Collier moved as a free agent to the San Diego Sockers for the 1982-1983 Major Indoor Soccer League season. He would play two outdoor and four indoor seasons for the Sockers. In February 1987, the Sockers sold Collier's contract to the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
for $5,000. The Comets released him at the end of the season and he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Sting
Chicago Sting
The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988...
. The Sting released Collier in June 1988, just before the team collapsed. In 1990, he replaced Derek Armstong
Derek Armstrong (footballer)
Derek James Armstrong is an English former professional footballer and current Technical Director of the San Diego Nomads. He played as an inside-left, including Football League appearances for both Blackpool and Carlisle United....
as head coach of the San Diego Nomads
San Diego Nomads
-History:The Nomads joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. In 1989, the WSA changed its name to the Western Soccer League and in 1990, the team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the WSL merged with the American Soccer League. After winning the WSL championship in...
in the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. In addition to coaching, Collier also played on the Nomads' backline that year.