NEW GULL PROFILE

Mark Hirst – @MarkAHirst

Mark discusses the new midfielder

CAREER SUMMARY

Born in August 1994, Dublin born midfielder Roddy Collins is the son of former player and manager Roddy senior (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roddy_Collins) and nephew of former world champion boxer Steve.

Indeed it was his father that handed Roddy his senior debut for Monaghan United in June 2011. He followed dad to Athlone Town, winning promotion to the League of Ireland Premier division in 2013, with the pair moving to Derry City at the end of that season. Roddy had a brief spell back at Athlone and after trials at Luton and Crystal Palace, he once again rejoined his dad in 2016, who had been appointed manager at Waterford United.

Roddy has been playing in England since 2018. After a brief spell at Hemel Hempstead, he was signed by Hayes & Yeading and was part of the side that won the 18-19 Isthmian League South Central. He signed for Kings Langley in summer 2019, becoming their captain. On renewing his contract, his manger commented:

“Roddy is everything that I want in a skipper. Honest, leads by example, demanding when he needs to be and has a real hunger and desire. Along with these attributes he has become a real box to box player, which at this level is so hard to play against”.

The stuff all fans want to hear!

Roddy then signed for Chesham in December 2021, but disaster struck in August 2022. An awkward landing on a hard early season pitch caused him to suffer an ACL injury and he missed the rest of 22-23. He returned at the start of last season, initially on loan back at Kings Langley and therefore missed Chesham’s run to the FA Cup 1st Round. He returned to The Generals in December and made 17 League apps in which he was on the losing side only once. He ended the season as a Southern League Premier South champion, Chesham storming to the title by 9 points.

Rather than embarking on Chesham’s first ever season in the National League South, he has opted to join the new era at Plainmoor.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights? Well if you are after Roddy Collins senior, then there is plenty of content, but his son only has one clip from 11 years ago, see below. Also below is thoughts from his dad and a lovely photo of them enjoying a promotion together.

'Special Moment' Roddy Collins & son Roddy Jr. celebrate promotion to @airtricityleag @RTEMNS @AthloneTownFC pic.twitter.com/2pGSFXbBuq
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) September 27, 2013

TALKING ABOUT COLLINS

@1to2Gk – Great signing! Real leader, Proper footballer & great lad.

@OffTheLineBlog – Lots of experience, promotion under his belt, good leader, defensively sound, words hard. Pleased with this.

COLLINS STATS

DATE OF BIRTH: 6TH AUGUST 1994 – 29 YEARS-OLD

HEIGHT: 1.83M

POSITION: MIDFIELDER

SLP 23-24 STATS: APPEARANCES 17, GOALS 0

MOST LIKELY/LEAST LIKELY

Most Likely To

Protect the central defenders a bit more than we’ve seen over the last couple of seasons, having been described to me by a Chesham fan as ‘a decent holding midfielder’.
Know how to deal with a trophy presentation – he’s a winner!

Least Likely To

Have wild swings in match ratings. He appears to be a player that churns out consistent performances, with decent work rate.
Appear on the scoresheet regularly – his job is to get the ball to the game changers.
Be booed. His uncle Steve might be in the crowd.

CONCLUSION

This is a player that has clearly impressed Paul Wotton in Truro’s games against both Kings Langley and Chesham in Southern Premier. Google maps tells me it’s 195 miles between The Meadow, Chesham and Plainmoor – but Wotton has obviously sold the club well enough to persuade Collins to make the move for a 1-year contract. The long-term injury he suffered appears to be a freak, from which he’s thankfully fully recovered.

Roddy will turn 30 in the week before the season starts and looks the sort to glue the side together. It’s a step up from what he’s been playing in England, but he’s moving from a club that are now divisional rivals, so has earned his chance. His experience and leadership could prove valuable.