Michael Collins (footballer born 1977)
Encyclopedia
Michael Collins is a retired professional footballer who most recently played for Irish League club Crusaders
.
, before leaving for unsuccessful spells in England
with Sheffield United
and Darlington
, before returning to Cliftonville in 1996.
Three years later an incident during an UEFA Intertoto Cup
tie brought his time with the club to an end. Collins had already been sent-off when he head-butted an opponent on his way off the pitch http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3007851/Intertoto-Cup-Cliftonville-fear-red-card-backlash.html. Laurence Stitt, the manager at the time, suspended Collins and put him on the transfer list.
, followed by the Irish Cup three years later.
Unfortunately, Reds boss Ronnie McFall
began to see his services as an unaffordable luxury, such was the regularity of his run-ins with officials - he returned from a lengthy ban to see red in his first and only CIS
Cup
appearance of the 07/08 season. He famously pushed IFA referee Alan Black in the chest after being sent off for elbowing Newry City's Stephen Ferguson and was given a lengthy suspension. Such was his fiery temper, McFall finally lost patience with him and he was made available to other clubs.
ironically stepped in to avail of his assets. He was given a one and a half year contract.
His first game was in the reserves where he scored the winner against former club Cliftonville
. He was then drafted into the first team and settled into the centre midfield position. He became a very important player and helped Newry
to one of their best ever runs in the league.
. However, he failed to get international clearance and was prevented from playing competitively until July. He did play in several pre-season friendlies, including the annual Jim Malone Cup match against Drogheda, where he was sent off early in the first half after clashing with Gavin Whelan. He finally played for the Lilywhites against Derry City
and was influential as they won 1-0. He scored twice in a match versus Galway United which they comfortably won 3-0 at Terryland Park
. He also started the following week in the 4-2 win against Drogheda United and Dundalk's good form at the present is largely thanks to Collins' contribution. Collins' was released at the end of Dundalk's season by the board after the Dundalk Manager Sean Connor
's contract was not renewed.
. He scored his only goal against Coleraine
on 23 January. However he was released after just four months for financial reasons. After having preliminary talks with Donegal Celtic prior to the 2010/11 season, he decided to retire from football.
Portadown
Crusaders
Crusaders F.C.
Crusaders Football Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish association football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1898, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Seaview. Club colours are red and black. The current manager is Stephen Baxter, appointed in 2005...
.
Early career
Collins started his career at CliftonvilleCliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
, before leaving for unsuccessful spells in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
, before returning to Cliftonville in 1996.
Cliftonville
Collins was an integral part of the Reds side that won the Irish League title in 1998 — the first time the club had been champions in 88 years.Three years later an incident during an UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
tie brought his time with the club to an end. Collins had already been sent-off when he head-butted an opponent on his way off the pitch http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3007851/Intertoto-Cup-Cliftonville-fear-red-card-backlash.html. Laurence Stitt, the manager at the time, suspended Collins and put him on the transfer list.
Portadown
He then joined Portadown and won the league in his first season at Shamrock ParkShamrock Park
Shamrock Park is a football stadium in Portadown, Northern Ireland. It is the home ground of Portadown F.C.. Shamrock Park used to be used for stock-car racing, but this has been discontinued in recent years...
, followed by the Irish Cup three years later.
Unfortunately, Reds boss Ronnie McFall
Ronnie McFall
Ronald Joseph "Ronnie" McFall MBE is a former football player and current manager of Portadown. He is currently the longest serving manager in Irish football and amongst the most successful managers in the history of the Irish League having claimed five titles, four Irish Cups and 20 other trophies...
began to see his services as an unaffordable luxury, such was the regularity of his run-ins with officials - he returned from a lengthy ban to see red in his first and only CIS
CIS
CIS usually refers to the Commonwealth of Independent States, a modern political entity consisting of eleven former Soviet Union republics.The acronym CIS may also refer to:-Organizations:...
Cup
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
appearance of the 07/08 season. He famously pushed IFA referee Alan Black in the chest after being sent off for elbowing Newry City's Stephen Ferguson and was given a lengthy suspension. Such was his fiery temper, McFall finally lost patience with him and he was made available to other clubs.
Newry City
In December 2007 Newry CityNewry City F.C.
Newry City is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1923, is based in Newry, County Down and plays its home matches at The Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
ironically stepped in to avail of his assets. He was given a one and a half year contract.
His first game was in the reserves where he scored the winner against former club Cliftonville
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
. He was then drafted into the first team and settled into the centre midfield position. He became a very important player and helped Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
to one of their best ever runs in the league.
Dundalk
Collins' contract ended in February 2009 and was subsequently signed by DundalkDundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. However, he failed to get international clearance and was prevented from playing competitively until July. He did play in several pre-season friendlies, including the annual Jim Malone Cup match against Drogheda, where he was sent off early in the first half after clashing with Gavin Whelan. He finally played for the Lilywhites against Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
and was influential as they won 1-0. He scored twice in a match versus Galway United which they comfortably won 3-0 at Terryland Park
Terryland Park
Terryland Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Galway, Ireland, owned by the Galway & District Football League. It is currently used for association football matches and has been the home ground of Galway United since 1977.- History :...
. He also started the following week in the 4-2 win against Drogheda United and Dundalk's good form at the present is largely thanks to Collins' contribution. Collins' was released at the end of Dundalk's season by the board after the Dundalk Manager Sean Connor
Sean Connor
Sean Connor is a former footballer and manager currently without a club.-Playing career:Connor began his career at Distillery in the Irish League where he played for one full season before moving to Port Vale...
's contract was not renewed.
Crusaders
He signed for Crusaders on 20 November 2009. He made his debut against old club Portadown on 2 January, and helped the side to the County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim Shield
The County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
. He scored his only goal against Coleraine
Coleraine F.C.
Coleraine F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1927, hails from Coleraine, County Londonderry and plays its home matches at the Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
on 23 January. However he was released after just four months for financial reasons. After having preliminary talks with Donegal Celtic prior to the 2010/11 season, he decided to retire from football.
Honours
Cliftonville- Irish LeagueIFA PremiershipThe IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
(1): 1997/98
Portadown
- Irish LeagueIFA PremiershipThe IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
(1): 2001/02 - Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
(1): 2004/05
Crusaders
- County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
(1): 2009/10