Lee Collins (footballer born 1988)
Encyclopedia
Lee Harvey Collins 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.
, 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. 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, 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, during which Hereford won promotion to League One
.
side Port Vale
at the start of the 2008–09
season, 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
. He gained his first senior goal in a 1–1 home draw with Wycombe Wanderers
on 25 April 2009. With 42 appearances to his name in his first season with the club, he was described as the most consistent performer of the season.
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. 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. His solid performances attracted attention, as well as March 2010 rumours of a £200,000 move to Watford
. Rumours that Collins rubbished as "paper talk". 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
". Collins was keen to extend his contract beyond its conclusion in the summer of 2011.
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
. Anticipating interest from other clubs, in September Adams began negotiations to extend his contract by a further season. 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'. 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. He was then sidelined for a further five weeks after he had to undergo surgery on an unrelated groin injury. Vale conceded eighteen goals in the twelve games that Collins missed.
, 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.
said he had "no doubt" that Collins would one day become a Championship
player. Words reiterated by Gareth Owen.
Port Vale manager Micky Adams
claimed that Collins always gave his all in training, and was a "remarkable athlete... [in] terms of fitness."
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.
|2007–08||Wolverhampton Wanderers
||Championship
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2007–08||Hereford United
||League Two
||16||0||4||0||0||0||20||0
|-
|2008–09
||Wolverhampton Wanderers
||Championship
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2008–09
||Port Vale
||League Two
||39||1||2||0||1||0||42||1
|-
|2009–10
||Port Vale
||League Two
||45||1||3||0||3||0||53||1
|-
|2010–11
||Port Vale
||League Two
||42||2||2||0||2||0||48||2
|-
|2011–12
||Port Vale
||League Two
||7||0||2||0||1||0||11||0
|-
149||4||13||0||7||0||173||4
149||4||13||0||7||0||173||4
Notes:
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who plays for League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. He is a defender who can play as either a centre-back or as a full-back.
He graduated through the Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
Academy to turn professional in February 2007. He spent much of the 2007–08 season on loan at Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
, helping the club to win promotion into 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....
. 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.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Born in TelfordTelford
Telford is a large new town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire, England, approximately east of Shrewsbury, and west of Birmingham...
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, Collins was promoted to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
' first team squad for the first time in January 2007, signing his first professional forms the next month. 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
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
on 14 November 2007 on an initial month's loan, and made his league debut on 17 November 2007 in a 3–2 win at Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
. After impressing, his loan was extended to the end of the season, during which Hereford won promotion to 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....
.
Port Vale
Collins went on loan to League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
at the start of the 2008–09
2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-seventh season of football in the Football League, and first season in League Two, following their relegation from League One. After a poor start to the season manager Lee Sinnott was sacked in September, and was replaced by Dean Glover. Despite a brief...
season, 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
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
. He gained his first senior goal in a 1–1 home draw with Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
on 25 April 2009. With 42 appearances to his name in his first season with the club, he was described as the most consistent performer of the season.
He remained in the first team for the start of the 2009–10
2009–10 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
campaign. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky 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...
saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat. Despite this he remained a key member of the defence, alongside Gareth Owen and John McCombe
John McCombe
John Paul McCombe is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. His brother Jamie is also a professional footballer....
. Playing regular football helped Collins realize that he needed to 'bulk out' to become a more physically dominant player. His solid performances attracted attention, as well as March 2010 rumours of a £200,000 move to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Rumours that Collins rubbished as "paper talk". A candidate for Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
, 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
Marc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
against Hereford
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
". Collins was keen to extend his contract beyond its conclusion in the summer of 2011.
He got the perfect start to the 2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
season by blasting in the only goal of the opening game of the season at Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
. Anticipating interest from other clubs, in September Adams began negotiations to extend his contract by a further season. Upon signing the deal Collins praised current and former training staff at the club, naming Dean Glover
Dean Glover
Dean Victor Glover is an English former footballer and football manager. A cultured and stylish defender, he had the ball control skills of a midfielder. He played 457 league games in a seventeen year career in the Football League.He started his career at Aston Villa in 1980, before he moved on to...
, Lee Sinnott
Lee Sinnott
Lee Sinnott is an English former professional footballer turned football manager, who is in charge at Conference North side Altrincham....
, Mark Grew
Mark Grew
Mark Stuart Grew is an English former football goalkeeper, now assistant manager to Micky Adams at Port Vale. On three occasions he has also served as the club's caretaker-manager, most recently from March to May in 2011....
, Geoff Horsfield
Geoff Horsfield
Geoffrey Malcolm "Geoff" Horsfield is an English former professional footballer, now football coach. He made more than 300 appearances in the Football League playing as a striker. He is now a coach at Port Vale....
, and Micky Adams as people who helped his progress 'massively'. 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
2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2011–12 season is Port Vale's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League Two. It marked the start of Micky Adams' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come...
season after undergoing a small operation to repair a hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
-related problem. He was then sidelined for a further five weeks after he had to undergo surgery on an unrelated groin injury. Vale conceded eighteen goals in the twelve games that Collins missed.
International career
Collins was called up to the England under-19'sEngland national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
, but did not earn a cap. Despite this he does not rule out one day playing for 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....
, who he qualifies for through his Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
father.
Style of play
Port Vale teammate Marc RichardsMarc Richards
Marc John Richards is an English professional footballer who plays as striker. He is the captain of League Two side Port Vale....
said he had "no doubt" that Collins would one day become a Championship
Football 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...
player. Words reiterated by Gareth Owen.
Port Vale manager Micky 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...
claimed that Collins always gave his all in training, and was a "remarkable athlete... [in] terms of fitness."
Personal life
Collins attended Thomas Telford SchoolThomas Telford School
Thomas Telford School is a City Technology College in Telford, Shropshire, England. Often referred to as 'TTS', it achieved the highest GCSE pass rate of any comprehensive school in England in 2008 and 2009.-Background:...
as a youth, alongside fellow professionals such as Elliott Bennett
Elliott Bennett
Elliott Bennett is an English footballer, currently signed to Norwich City who are an English team promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2010/11 season...
and Danny Guthrie
Danny Guthrie
Danny Sean Guthrie is an English footballer who plays for Premier League club Newcastle United, as a midfielder.His displays in Liverpool's Academy side earned him a call-up to the England schoolboy side...
. Also attending the school was future Port Vale teammate Sam Morsy
Sam Morsy
Samy Sayed "Sam" Morsy is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale as a midfielder....
. His partner Rachel gave birth to their baby daughter, Amelia, on 15 December 2010.
Statistics
|-|2007–08||Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
||Championship
Football 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...
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2007–08||Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||16||0||4||0||0||0||20||0
|-
|2008–09
2008–09 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was the 111th season of competitive league football in the history of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played the season in the 2nd tier of the English football system, the Football League Championship...
||Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
||Championship
Football 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...
||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
|2008–09
2008–09 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-seventh season of football in the Football League, and first season in League Two, following their relegation from League One. After a poor start to the season manager Lee Sinnott was sacked in September, and was replaced by Dean Glover. Despite a brief...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||39||1||2||0||1||0||42||1
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||45||1||3||0||3||0||53||1
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2010–11 season was Port Vale's ninety-ninth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in League Two. Vale enjoyed a solid start to the campaign, looking like good prospects for promotion. However Micky Adams left the club in December to take charge of Sheffield...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||42||2||2||0||2||0||48||2
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2011–12 season is Port Vale's one-hundredth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League Two. It marked the start of Micky Adams' second spell in charge of the club, and despite fan unrest with the board, Vale fans and players were hopeful of promotion come...
||Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
||League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
||7||0||2||0||1||0||11||0
|-
149||4||13||0||7||0||173||4
149||4||13||0||7||0||173||4
Notes:
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
results included in totals.
Honours
Individual- Port Vale F.C.Port Vale F.C.Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
ChairmanBill BrattWilliam Amos "Bill" Bratt MBE is the former chairman of Port Vale Football Club, who served the club in this post from 2003 to 2011....
's Player of the Year: 20102009–10 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 2008–09 season was Port Vale's ninety-eighth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made...
Promotions
- 2007–08: League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
3rd (promotion to League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) – Hereford UnitedHereford United F.C.Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
External links
- Profile at the official Port Vale site