GULLACTICO

Tony McHale

Tony looks back at one of TUFC greatest players

SAMMY COLLINS

Sammy played for Torquay United from 1948 to 1958 when we were in Division 3 South. He played 380 games scoring 219 goals a record which still stands today.

Sammy was the leading scorer for United for seven consecutive seasons from 1950/51 to 1956/57. In 1955/56 he scored 44 goals in 49 league and cup appearances.

Collins played in the number 8 shirt as an inside forward and had a great understanding with right winger Ronnie Shaw (106 goals) who along with Tommy Northcott (150 goals) were the only players to notch 100 plus goals for United prior to the arrival of Robin Stubbs in 1963.

I remember Sammy very well as he played for United in a golden era when in season 1955/56 we finished 5^th and in the following season 2^nd in Division 3 South.

Born in Bristol in 1923 Collins signed for Bristol City in November 1944 but after the war he played just 14 games for City before signing for Torquay United in June 1948.

In August 1956 he scored a penalty after just 10 seconds against Walsall.

For many years Sammy ran a newsagents in Forest Road Torquay not far from Plainmoor. After retiring he returned to his native Bristol and passed away in 1998 aged 75. He was christened Ronald but everyone knew him as Sammy.

Happy memories of a little man physically but with an inborne instinct to be in the right place at the right time, the Jimmy Greaves of the lower leagues.