SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ALDERSHOT TOWN

1. Another goal in 'Gary time'. 

For the 18th time in the 2020-21 season Torquay United scored a vital goal beyond the 80th minute of a game as Scott Boden headed home Adam Randell's 97th minute cross to give United a 2-1 win over Aldershot Town. 

It also takes the number of points gained by the Gulls in the final ten minutes of games to 24; they have also dropped five points beyond the 80th minute of games this season - which provides a net points difference of plus 19.

2. The penalty that never was. 

Deep in injury time, United appeared poised to end the game with a spot-kick as Scott Boden stood over the penalty spot ball in hand after referee Daniel Lamport pointed to the spot following Aldershot keeper Mitch Walker's foul on Connor Lemonheigh-Evans. However, after consulting with his linesman Steven Annis he prompted changed his mind - leaving the Gulls protesting furiously.  

However, United weren't to end the evening disappointed as Adam Randell picked out Boden with a cross from the right moments later, which Boden headed home and wild celebrations ensued on clinching a unlikely victory. 

3. Adam Randell's assists - one with his right and one with his left. 

Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell produced a man of the match display in which he provided both assists for United in their 2-1 win over Aldershot. As well as producing the cross for Scott Boden's winner with his left foot - he also crossed the ball for skipper Asa Hall to volley home his 12th minute opener. Randell, who agreed a new contract with the Pilgrims in February, has emerged as a key performer for the Gulls, playing as a central midfielder, right midfielder and also at right-back. Argyle manager Ryan Lowe must surely be impressed with the progress that he has made while at Plainmoor.

4. United currently unbeaten in seven. 

United's win over the Shots also extends their unbeaten run to seven games. The Gulls have not tasted defeat since they lost 1-0 to Dagenham & Redbridge on March 27th. This sequence includes six wins and a draw.

5. Gary Johnson must be a manager of the month contender. 

One consequence of United's fine form is that Gary Johnson must surely be a contender for the National League manager of the month award prize for April 2021. The Gulls' form for April reads: played seven; won six: drawn one. However, any United fans concerned about the 'curse' that is often associated with the award should be reminded that after winning the prize for October 2020, United didn't taste defeat again until the following December, when they lost 1-0 to Dagenham & Redbridge on December 15, and even then that was the Gulls' only league defeat between the end of October and the turn of the year.

6. Stockport are in the picture now. 

Following Stockport County's 4-0 win over King's Lynn Town, the Hatters moved up to 65 points - two behind third placed Hartlepool United. Stockport have now also played the same number of games as both Torquay and Hartlepool, but Sutton United have a game in hand on all three.

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS NOTTS COUNTY

1. The Gulls leave it late again - for the 17th time to be precise. 

Once again Torquay United clinched a result in the dying embers as they bounced back to draw 2-2 with Notts County after finding themselves 2-0 behind. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans volleyed home in the 75th minute before Ben Wynter struck in the eighth minute of injury time to seal a valuable point for the Gulls. It was the 17th time that United have scored beyond the 80th minute of a game - and it also helps extend their current unbeaten run to six matches.

2. A late equaliser from Ben Wynter proved to be crucial before - and it could again. 

A last gasp equaliser from Ben Wynter for the Gulls against Woking in April 2019 proved to be pivotal in helping Torquay United to clinch the National League South title in the 2018-19 season, and his late strike against Notts County could yet prove to be just as important. Wynter's late effort saw the Gulls return to the top of the National League table ahead of their home fixtures against Aldershot Town and Eastleigh.

3. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans closing in on double figures. 

Connor Lemonheigh-Evans' 75th minute volley was the Welsh midfielder's ninth goal of the 2020-21 campaign in all competitions. After scoring United's first goal of the campaign on the opening day of the season against Stockport County - which was also the first of the Gulls' late winners - Lemonheigh-Evans found the back of the net a further seven times in the National League and once in the FA Trophy against Boreham Wood, which is more than his previous hauls in the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons combined (in which he scored eight times). His volley against the Magpies was also his third goal in four appearances - after scoring against Weymouth and Woking earlier this month.

4. United still yet to lose with ten men this season. 

By holding on for a point following Josh Umerah's 88th minute dismissal for a second bookable offence, Torquay United remain undefeated in games where they have gone down to ten men. On December 19, 2020, the Gulls drew 0-0 with King's Lynn Town after skipper Asa Hall was dismissed and on January 26, 2021, they picked up another goalless draw after Dean Moxey received two yellow cards. Both incidents which earned Umerah his yellow cards involved former United defender Mark Ellis - and in the build up to the awarding of his second yellow referee Lewis Smith did so after consulting with his assistant on the far side. 

5. Mark Ellis may not have returned to haunt the Gulls, but he still had a big say in the proceedings. 

As well as having an involvement in the yellow cards awarded to Josh Umerah, Mark Ellis also played a major role on his return to Plainmoor. Kingsbridge-born Ellis played for the Gulls between 2007 and 2012 and he marked his first competitive appearance against United since his £80,000 move to Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2012. The Gulls' late comeback ensured that he didn't return to haunt United. 

6. Could Stockport County be about to gatecrash the party? 

Fourth placed Stockport County's 3-0 win over Boreham Wood moved the Hatters to within four points of Sutton United in third place in the National League table. Stockport, who are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run, are due to face the Gulls on May 15, so they could still have a big say on the final outcome of the season. 

ROBIN STUBBS AT 80

If ever the phrase 'Right Man, Right Place, Right Time' seemed ever so apt - it was when Torquay United paid Birmingham City £6,000 for a young striker by the name of Robin Stubbs in 1963. 

After falling out with Blues manager Gil Merrick, Stubbs' days at St Andrews appeared to be numbered. He had previously broken into the Birmingham first team at the age of 19 and had featured in two Inter-Cities Fairs' Cup campaigns. 

On his arrival at Torquay Railway Station, he was greeted by United director Tony Boyce - later chairman; and while Boyce drove him to Plainmoor to meet the then Torquay manager Eric Webber to discuss terms, he couldn't help but notice the town's natural beauty. 

Once his move was finalised, Stubbs soon hit the ground running for United and formed a prolific strike partnership with local boy made good Tommy Northcott, who had returned to Plainmoor following spells with Cardiff City and Lincoln City. 

Between them, the duo scored 37 goals in the 1963-64 season and then scored another 53 in the 1964-65 campaign. Stubbs' haul in 1964-65 also included two goals in United's famous 3-3 draw with a star-studded Tottenham Hotspur side featuring Jimmy Greaves, Alan Mullery and Pat Jennings amongst others. In addition to this, he was also on target in the replay at White Hart Lane which Torquay lost 5-1. 

The summer of 1965 was to be one of change for United as the long serving Webber was sacked after 14 years in charge by Boyce, who had since taken over as chairman, and Irishman Frank O'Farrell was named as his successor after winning back-to-back Southern League titles with Weymouth. 

O'Farrell, who had played for West Ham United and Preston North End in his career, soon turned United from inconsistent entertainers into serial winners as they won automatic promotion in the 1965-66 season, with Stubbs once again amongst the goals.

Such was his celebrity status in the town by that point when he married local beauty queen and daughter of local bookmaker Anthea Redfern - who would later find fame with the Generation Game - in 1967 he was considered as the bigger celebrity out of the pair. 

On the field, life was still good for Stubbs as he helped United to obtain their highest league finish in their history in the 1967-68 season of fourth in the 'old' Division Three (now League One) as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the second tier for the first time ever. 

He remained at Plainmoor under O'Farrell's successor Allan Brown - O'Farrell departed for Leicester City in 1968 - until he was sold to Bristol Rovers in 1970 for a fee of £12,000. After two seasons as the Pirates' leading scorer - he returned to Torquay in February 1972. However, he failed to recreate the magic of his first spell as United were relegated at the end of the 1971-72 season - bringing their six-year stay in Division Three to an end. 

Sadly injuries meant that the 1972-73 season would prove to be his last as a Torquay player; he scored his final goal for United in February 1973 against Newport County, who he famously scored five times against in an 8-3 win for Torquay nearly ten years earlier in October 1963. 

Following his retirement, Stubbs stayed in South Devon and remained close to the club. He even donned a Torquay United shirt one last time in a celebrity game before United's first ever appearance at Wembley in the 1989 Sherpa Van Trophy final against Bolton Wanderers.

In subsequent years other players have drawn certain parallels with Stubbs. 

David Graham appeared for Glasgow Rangers in the UEFA Cup in the 1998-99 season before finding the back of the net 23 times as United won automatic promotion from Division Three under Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 season. Jamie Reid struck 32 times for the Gulls in the 2018-19 campaign, as United won the National League South title - becoming the first Torquay player to score 30 or more in a season since Stubbs. 

But neither of them, or any other striker since for that matter, were held in the esteem that Stubbs, who still watches United in his role as life president, was.

Footnote: During Stubbs' first season at Plainmoor, he received his marching orders for an on field 'fracas' with future West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa manager Ron Atkinson, who also saw red. 

SUPER LEAGUE BACKLASH

If the idea of a breakaway European Super League is an answer to any of football's present ills - then what was the original question? 

However, this is what 12 of Europe's leading clubs have proposed; three from Italy (Juventus, AC Milan and Inter); three from Spain (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid) and six from England (Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur). 

The idea of a Super League for the elite European clubs has been discussed for a number of years. However, with the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic combined with UEFA's proposals to revamp the Champions League - a 36-team format that would also see two teams qualify on historic merit will replace the current format from 2024 - they decided that now would be the time to act.

Should the member clubs succeed in forming the new league, it will consist of 20 clubs and founder members will be offered £310 million each to join - and each club will qualify on an annual basis.

So instead of Manchester United vs Barcelona or Real Madrid vs Liverpool fixtures occurring once a season, they will be playing each other on demand. 

Amongst those who have condemned the proposals, including ex-players and politicians alike, was former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville. While working as a pundit during Manchester United's Premier League clash with Burnley, Neville described it as a 'criminal act.' Despite spending the entirety of his playing career at the elite end of the game, Neville understands the lower leagues better than most. Not only is he a co-owner of Salford City, his parents both worked for Bury. Indeed, his mum Jill resigned from her positon of club secretary at Gigg Lane shortly before the Shakers were expelled from the Football League in 2019 - due to their ownership issues under the chairmanship of Steve Dale. 

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson echoed Neville's sentiments in the Torbay Weekly, describing them as 'absolutely ridiculous and selfish.'

The reality is that the decision hasn't been made with the fans in mind. In fact the plans would be removing the very thing from the game that makes football so popular and so special - the element of surprise. It's this element that has seen Nottingham Forest and Porto twin more European Cups/Champions Leagues than several of the  the Super League's potential entrants. Forest won back-to-back European Cups under the late Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980. Porto have also claimed the prize twice, in 1987 and 2004 respectively. 

If there is no romance in football any more, as many cynics often claim, then a European Super League is it's ultimate marriage of convenience.

 

 

 

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE TITLE RUN-IN: THE LOWDOWN

When Asa Hall headed home Adam Randell's 81st minute cross to score his 11th goal of the campaign, he helped to move Torquay United back to level terms with Sutton United. Goal difference is all that separates the Gulls and the U's - while they also trail leaders Hartlepool United by one point, but have two games in hand on Pools. 

We will now take a closer look at United's end of season of run-in - and also that of their main promotion rivals. 

Torquay United (3rd): 63 points

20/04/2021 vs Woking (19th) A

24/04/2021 vs Notts County (6th) H

27/04/2021 vs Aldershot Town (12th) H

01/05/2021 vs Eastleigh (10th) H

03/05/2021 vs Chesterfield (5th) A

08/05/2021 vs Bromley (10th) H

15/05/2021 vs STOCKPORT COUNTY (4th) A 

22/05/2021 vs Barnet (22nd) H

29/05/2021 vs  Altrincham (14th) A 

As well as having to travel to Stockport County in mid-May - the Gulls also face play-off hopefuls Notts County and Chesterfield. The Magpies will be looking to cement their place in the top seven, following the appointment of Ian Burchenall as successor to Neal Ardley, and the Spireites have emerged as one of the form teams in the division under the guidance of manager James Rowe. 

United's games in hand over Hartlepool against Aldershot Town and Altrincham could prove to be crucial - especially as the Pools' season could be over by the time Gary Johnson's men travel to Alty on the final day.

Hartlepool United (1st): 64 points 

17/04/2021 vs Wealdstone (18th) A 

24/04/2021 vs Weymouth (20th) H

01/05/2021 vs  Chesterfield (5th) H

03/05/2021 vs Bromley (10th) A

08/05/2021 vs Maidenhead United (15th) H

15/05/2021 vs Aldershot Town (12th) A 

22/05/2021 vs SUTTON UNITED (2nd) A 

Everything could hinge on Hartlepool United's final day trip to Sutton United, which will be their final game of the regular campaign (they had been due to face Dover on the final day of the campaign). With both of their direct rivals Torquay and Sutton in action on the final day - Hartlepool could be watching on as others celebrate, but can they acculumate enough points to ensure that isn't the case for them.

Sutton United (2nd): 63 points 

17/04/2021 vs Altrincham (14th) A 

24/04/2021 vs Eastleigh (10th) H

27/04/2021 vs Barnet (22nd) H 

01/05/2021 vs Aldershot Town (12th) H 

03/05/2021 vs Notts County (6th) A 

08/05/2021 vs Weymouth (20th) H

11/05/2021 vs Woking (19th) H

15/05/2021 vs Maidenhead United (15th) H

22/05/2021 vs HARTLEPOOL UNITED (1st) H 

29/05/2021 vs Barnet (22nd) A  

Like Torquay, Sutton United also have games in hand on Hartlepool but the real question is 'can they recapture their form of previous months. The U's defeat to the Gulls on Tuesday ended a run of 15 league games unbeaten, but their form had been stuttering towards the end of that run - with only one win in their last five. All eyes will be on their final home game against Hartlepool - which could prove to be pivotal. 

Stockport County (4th): 58 points  

17/04/2021 vs Maidenhead United (15th) H

24/04/2021 vs Boreham Wood (11th) A 

27/04/2021 vs King's Lynn Town (21st) A 

01/05/2021  vs FC Halifax Town (8th) A 

03/05/2021 vs Wealdstone (18th) H 

11/05/2021 vs Dagenham & Redbridge (16th) H

15/05/2021 vs TORQUAY UNITED (3rd)

22/05/2021 vs Woking (19th) H 

29/05/2021 vs Yeovil Town (17th) A  

Fourth-placed Stockport County are currently six points behind first placed Hartlepool, so the Hatters will need to rise from the pack with a run of five or six wins to lift themselves into title contention. Their chances of doing this rest largely on the shoulders of Irish striker Paddy Madden, who moved to Edgeley Park from Fleetwood Town. Madden is a figure well-known to United boss Gary Johnson - as the Irishman was a talismanic figure in Johnson's Yeovil Town side who won promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season, which also saw him win the League One player of the year award.

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WEYMOUTH

 1. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - the terror of the Terras. 

For the second time this season, Welsh midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans scored a late winner for Torquay United against Weymouth. On December 28, 2020, Lemonheigh-Evans struck in the 87th minute to secure a 4-3 win for United over the Terras and he headed home a Jake Andrews corner to score his seventh goal of the 2020-21 campaign and seal a 2-1 win for the Gulls against Weymouth. Lemonheigh-Evans, of course, helped to set the tone for the late winners for United by scoring the decisive goal in the dying minutes against Stockport County to secure a 1-0 win over the Hatters at Plainmoor on the opening day of the season.

2. A third late winner on the spin. 

Like buses, late winners for United have been hard to come by for several months then a succession of them come along at once. It was the third game in a row that the Gulls have wrapped up all three points with a goal scored in the final ten minutes of a game. Danny Wright struck in the 83rd minute versus Woking on Good Friday, Sam Sherring scored in injury time against Wrexham on Easter Monday while Lemonheigh-Evans's winner versus Weymouth came on 85 minutes.  

3. United now within three points of Sutton.

Yesterday's win over Weymouth also means that the Gulls head into Tuesday's 'six-pointer' with Sutton United within three points of the U's. Following their defeat to Maidenhead United on March 16, Torquay were eight points behind Sutton, but if they win at Gander Green Lane they will move level on points with the U's and will overtake them should they win by two goals or more. 

4. Jake Andrews continues his resurgence in form. 

After being in and out of contention for the first half of the season, due to a combination of injuries and the form of Ben Whitfield on the left of midfield, Jake Andrews has emerged as one of United's upturn in form during their last six matches. His low drive in the 59th minute against Weymouth, which saw United draw level, was his second during that period and his third of the season. They could yet to be more to come from Andrews in terms, as let's not forget that he was United's third top scorer in their National League South title winning 2018-19 season with 12 goals and also the Gulls third highest scorer last season with six. 

5.  A return to early season form. 

United's win over Weymouth was their fifth win in six league games and represents their best run of form since their opening six matches of the 2020-21 National League campaign. The Gulls secured five wins out of their first six league encounters - beating Stockport 1-0, Bromley 2-1, Chesterfield 2-1, Dover 2-0 & Aldershot 4-1 and losing 2-1 to Eastleigh - to top the National League with 15 points. This run helped to lay the foundation for one of the best starts to a season in living memory for United.

6. 20-20-20 vision for Gulls. 

United have now taken 60 points over the course of the 2020-21 campaign and they have now taken exactly 20 points off each third of the National League. The Gulls have claimed 20 points of the top eight of the division - first to eighth - (Hartlepool three, Sutton three, Stockport three, Notts County three, Chesterfield three, FC Halifax three & Wrexham six), another 20 off the middle third - 9th to 16th - (Eastleigh nil, Bromley three, Boreham Wood two, Aldershot three, Altrincham nil, Maidenhead three, Solihull Moors six & Yeovil three) and 20 off the bottom third - 17th to 23rd (Dover's record has been expunged) - (Dagenham & Redbridge 0, Wealdstone four, Woking three, Weymouth six, King's Lynn four, Barnet three). Some of those sides United have met twice, others they are due to face for a second time.

THE NATIONAL LEAGUE TITLE RACE HOTS UP

The race for the National League title looks set to step up a notch in the coming week, as Torquay United could move within three points of current leaders Sutton United this Saturday. 

Should Gary Johnson's side beat Weymouth at Plainmoor on Saturday then the third placed Gulls will be just three points behind the U's ahead of their 'six-pointer' next Tuesday at Gander Green Lane. The U's, of course, are without a game as they had been due to face Dover Athletic, who have had their league record expunged for refusing to complete their fuxtures. 

And United then make two wins out of two against Sutton they will be level on points with the U's and they could even move above them on goal difference - depending on their prowess in front of goal.

Nevertheless, there is another variable that could affect the Gulls' ability to return to the top of the National League tree - and that's the potential outcome of second placed Hartlepool United's clash with play-off chasers Notts County, which is being broadcast live on BT Sport. If the Pools win, they will return to the league's summit (a win would give Hartlepool 64 points, which would put them one point ahead of Sutton on 63) and would remain top despite not having a game next Tuesday. 

However, it is also worth mentioning that both Sutton and Torquay both have three games in hand over Hartlepool - which will be reduced to two in the case of the Gulls when they meet each other next week. 

It is also worth mentioning that Sutton and Hartlepool are due to face each on May 22, in what will be the U's penultimate National League fixture and Hartlepool's final game, as they had been due to face Dover on that day. Therefore it wouldn't be a huge shock if the National League title went right to the wire and was decided on the final day of the campaign.

 

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WOKING

 1. Danny Wright's goalscoring return. 

Danny Wright reminded Torquay United of what they had been missing during his lengthy absence through injury as he came off the bench to score an 83rd minute winner against Woking. Former Cheltenham striker Wright hadn't featured for the Gulls since he limped off with a hamstring injury on Boxing Day against Yeovil Town, which later required surgery. However, he was in the right place at the right time to connect with Adam Randell's 83rd minute cross to score the game's decisive goal. Wright's effort was his 9th of the season, which sees him reclaim his status as United leading league goalscorer from Asa Hall, who is currently on six.

2. Return of the late winner. 

Earlier in the season, late winners had been a key part of United's play - most notably on the opening day of the season when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans struck a last gasp effort against title favourites Stockport County, which helped to set the tone of the rest of the campaign. Danny Wright's strike was the first late winner that United have scored since Lemonheigh-Evans netted to make it 4-3 away to Weymouth on December 28, 2020 in the 87th minute. 

3. Three wins out of four - and three clean sheets. 

United's victory was also their third win in four games, and it was also their third clean sheet in that space of time as well. The Gulls won 1-0 against King's Lynn Town, beat Solihull Moors 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Dagenham & Redbridge prior to Good Friday's result. Credit for this record must go to United's back four of Ben Wynter, Sam Sherring, Joe Lewis and Ryan Law and goalkeeper Lucas Covolan who made an important save to deny Woking leading scorer Max Kretzschmar from a free-kick in the 70th minute.

4. The Home Park connection. 

While there has been a lot of loan transfer activity between Torquay United and Bristol City in recent seasons, it was two loan signings from United's closer neighbours Plymouth Argyle who played a key role in the Gulls' victory over Woking. Midfielder Adam Randell, who has appeared as a centre midfielder, right midfielder and right-back since joining at the start of the season, provided the assist for Wright's goal and left-back Ryan Law produced another steady display since his arrival. Argyle manager Ryan Lowe will no doubt be keeping tabs on their form from afar. 

5. Durkin in charge again. 

For the third season in a row James Durkin, son of Paul Durkin, was appointed to referee a clash between Torquay United and Woking. Durkin took charge of their meeting at Kingsfield on April 6, 2019 which finished 3-3 and effectively ended the Cards' National League South title challenge -with United sealing the championship a week later against Eastbourne Borough. He then took charge of their festive meeting at Plainmoor on December 28, 2019 - which the Gulls won 4-1. On both of those previous occasions Woking were reduced to ten men, with Ben Gerring seeing red at Kingsfield and Godfrey Poku receiving his marching orders at Plainmoor. However, this time he didn't dish out any red cards, but he did award seven yellow cards - two to the Gulls and five to the Cards. 

6. Closing the gap on the league leaders. 

The three points that United gained proved to be particularly important in the context of the National League title race. The Gulls went into Good Friday ten points behind leaders Sutton United, but that gap has now been reduced to eight after the U's drew 0-0 away to Boreham Wood. The Gulls still have to travel to Gander Green Lane to face Sutton on April 13 and will be looking to make further inroads into that eight-point margin between now and then.

LEE COLLINS 1988-2021

If ever there was a moment that proved the phrase that football is more important than life or death then sadly the death of Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins is one such time. 

The Glovers are currently in mourning after it was announced that Collins passed away on 31 March 2021, and their thoughts and prayers are with Collins' family and friends at this difficult time. 

Since his arrival at Huish Park, Collins was amongst manager Darren Sarll's first signings after he was appointed as Yeovil manager. He proved to be a big favourite with the Glovers' faithful with his wholehearted displays in the centre of defence alongside Luke Wilkinson, as Yeovil arrested a decline that had seen them fall from the Championship to the National League in the space of five years by reaching the National League play-offs with a fourth placed finish. 

Born in Telford, Collins started his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and was part of the Wolves' youth side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2004, which also included goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and midfielder Mark Davies. After leaving Molineux without making a first team appearance, Collins joined Port Vale, who he had previously enjoyed a loan spell with, in 2009. 

While at Vale Park, he established himself as a first team regular with the Valiants. His popularity was reflected in January 2020 when he was named as the best Port Vale left-back of the 2010s in a poll by the Stoke Sentinel newspaper - receiving 50% of the vote with his former Glovers' teammate Carl Dickinson receiving 40%. 

His next move took him to Barnsley, who he signed for on a permanent basis after initially joining on loan. However, he failed to break into the Tykes' first team and was loaned out to Shrewsbury Town - a move that saw him link up with Graham Turner who previously signed him for Hereford United earlier in his career. 

Collins then joined Northampton Town midway through the 2012-13 season and featured for the Cobblers in the 2013 League Two play-off final, which they lost to Bradford City. After losing his place in the Northampton side following the appointment of Chris Wilder, Collins then moved on to Mansfield Town and Forest Green Rovers, where he became Rovers' first signing following their promotion to the Football League.

Following his departure from the New Lawn in 2019, Collins signed a two-year deal with Yeovil and was made club captain by Darren Sarll. He then went on to make 31 appearances for the Glovers prior to the Covid-19 enforced suspension of the 2019-20 season - as Yeovil finished fourth in the National League and lost to Barnet in the play-offs. 

His final appearance for the Glovers came on February 6, 2021 against Stockport County and he was even named as an unused substitute a week before his death against Barnet on March 27, 2021. 

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former teammates past and present at this difficult time.