'We owe him so much' - Leeds United fans share memories of Bobby Collins

The highly influential midfielder helped turn Leeds United into a top flight force.
Former Leeds United captain Bobby Collins. (Picture: Varley Picture Agency)Former Leeds United captain Bobby Collins. (Picture: Varley Picture Agency)
Former Leeds United captain Bobby Collins. (Picture: Varley Picture Agency)

Eddie Gray once described Bobby Collins as the "most influential" signing of his career at Leeds United while legendary manager Don Revie believed he was the best transfer of his tenure.

Collins joined the Elland Road ranks in 1962 from Everton with the Whites battling relegation in the Second Division.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was handed the captain's armband and went on to help the club survive the drop to the third tier and then achieve promotion to the top flight under Revie's guidance.

Collins spent five years with the club before his departure in 1967, making 167 appearances scoring 24 goals from midfield.

Revie believed he was the key catalyst to helping turn the fortunes of the club around upon his arrival from Merseyside.

In the 1964-65 season - United's debut campaign in the top flight following promotion - Leeds lost out on the First Division title on goal average to Manchester United and fell to defeat in the FA Cup final against Liverpool.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite missing out on a trophy, Collins was awarded the Footballer of the Year title for 1965.

Here, we look back at memories of a player who meant so much to supporters in West Yorkshire.

Peter Stone said: "Me and my cousin went to see them play Charlton Athletic. The Charlton forward was Eddie Firmani. He kicked Bobby who went for him he was half the size but they had to pull him off.

"In those days the team travelled by train and we saw him on Kings Cross Station and he talked to us as if we had known each other for years. If any body kicks me he said he gets it back double. What a man."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nick Draper reflected: "Signed for Barnsley in 1982. [Norman] Hunter and [Allan] Clarke were first team managers; Bobby managing the ‘Intermediates’ as they were known.

"I remember him delivering my first team talk as a 16 or 17 year old and not understanding a word due to his heavy Glaswegian accent.

"Also remember not having my own jock strap (as everyone did back then), taking one from (what I thought was) a communal pile - wrong! Bobby laced into me. For a small man, he was extremely intimidating!"

Con Egan added: "Bobby played his first game for Leeds on my 14th birthday on March 10th 1962. We were bottom of the second division with 11 games to go. We beat Swansea that day and he scored a great goal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We only lost one of the 11 games and avoided what had seemed certain relegation on the final day at Newcastle.

"On my 17th birthday we beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and reached our first ever FA Cup Semi final. We finished losing the first division title on goal average, and the FA Cup Final in extra time. A sad ending but what a fantastic turnaround. The start of our greatest era; Revie the manager, Collins the captain. We owe him so much.

Stephen Fennell revealed: "Played a five-a-side game against him when he must have been well into his 50s and thought I’d just knock him off the ball and move away with it.

"I was wrong, what a fantastic player and main catalyst to the great Revie era. Absolute genius from Don bringing him in when he did."

Phill Shields said: "He was hard as nails. Great player."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While Jack Walker admitted: "Best signing ever for Leeds. He was the one that showed us how the game should be played. Forever grateful to the wee man."

Denis Dalby added: "I remember him scoring a wonderful goal from about forty yards soon after he joined Leeds from Everton. Also remember seeing him outside Eland Road on crutches after breaking his leg against Torino. He was possibly the best signing Leeds ever made."

Jason Ward told a lovely story: "Never forget the time with my parents walking out of Kirkgate market and he recognised me and my brother from his football school. He stopped & bought us an ice cream. Top man."

Bill Webster simply wrote: "Superb passer of the ball."

Steve Cass said: "Played against him with a veterans team in the late 80’s. He challenged me for the ball by kicking me in the chest. Those were the days."

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.