*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Gary Collins
Appearances: 44 Goals: 2
Date / Year of birth: 11th June 1966
Position: Right-back / Centre-back
Season of first appearance: 1988/89
Season of last appearance: 1990/91
Also played for: Folkestone, Herne Bay, Sheppey United, Canterbury City, Folkestone Town, Hythe Town and Folkestone Invicta
Versatile defender who started his career with Folkestone, making his first team debut for them in a 3-1 win over Road-Sea Southampton at Cheriton on 8.4.86. Gary stayed with Folkestone through to the 1987/88 season, often playing alongside his older brother Terry, and on 4.10.87 he had to play the full 90 minutes in goal as they were thrashed 6-1 in an FA Trophy tie at Walton & Hersham. He left the club soon afterwards as part of a mass walk-out when Folkestone decided to ban their players from turning out in Sunday football.
Gary joined Herne Bay after leaving Folkestone and then had a short spell with Sheppey before moving to Canterbury where he made six Southern League appearances. In October 1988 he left City and signed for Thanet United, rejoining his brother Terry.
Gary made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Dunstable at Hartsdown on 8.10.88 and the Thanet Times described him as being "dominant" in the heart of the United defence. A week later, on 15.10.88, Gary was one of four Thanet players who caused the kick off for a game at Erith & Belvedere to be delayed by 15 minutes due to the car they were travelling to the match in breaking down. Clive Barham, Terry Collins and Pat Hilton were the others. The eventful start to Gary's Thanet career reached its peak on 22.10.88 when he was one of the four United players to be sent off in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Leatherhead in an FA Trophy tie at Hartsdown Park. He was the third player to be dismissed, receiving his marching orders due to what referee Mr Coffin described as "persistent misconduct". Gary had to serve a three match suspension as a result. Just before his ban took effect Gary played as a left-back in a 2-2 draw at Ruislip but it was strictly a one-off and when he returned to the side it was as a centre-back. He was ever-present for the remainder of the season and on 28.2.89 Gary scored his first goal for Thanet in a 2-2 draw with Corinthian at Hartsdown. During March 1989 Gary was switched to a midfield role and he played there for United's last 13 matches. One of his best displays came in a 2-0 home defeat against Baldock on 15.4.89 and player-manager Garry Aldous said that Gary had "played well throughout." At the end of the season Gary left the club having made 38 appearances and scoring twice. His last game for the club had been Thanet's last-ever match - a 3-0 defeat at Bury on 6.5.89.
Gary returned to Folkestone for the 1989/90 campaign and started 1990/91 there too although by then the club were known as Folkestone Town. When the club folded Gary joined Margate in December 1990.
He made the first appearance of his second spell at Hartsdown Park when he played at right-back in a 1-0 home win over Hythe on 29.12.90. Gary then featured in Margate's next five games playing at left-back or as a centre-back. The last of those matches was a 2-2 draw at Burnham on 2.2.91 and Gary left the club shortly afterwards to join Hythe.
By the start of 1991/92 Gary was back at Folkestone, by then known as Folkestone Invicta, and he played for the club until January 1993 when he was sacked due to a breach of club discipline along with his brother Terry and former Thanet United striker Micky Heynes.
After a spell in local amateur football Gary rejoined Folkestone Invicta for the 1994/95 season.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1988/89 (TUFC) |
38 (52) |
0 |
2 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (20TH OF 22) |
2QR |
2QR |
2R |
1R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1990/91 (MFC) |
6 (54) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (10TH OF 21) |
3QR |
3QR |
2R |
1R |