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Thursday, April 01, 2021

Former Bull Dies At The Age Of Just 32


Lee Collins (Far left) At Brentford In April 2008

Club Historian Ron Parrott has followed up the news released this afternoon about the death of former Hereford United player Lee Collins. Ron takes up the story:- “It seems like yesterday that young Lee Collins was playing at Edgar Street at the tender age of just 19 and it saddens me greatly to be writing this tribute. Graham Turner jumped at the chance of bringing him to Edgar Street on loan in November 2007 and was grateful to extend this loan until the end of the season. Lee was the sort of player who always gave everything in training and he was a remarkable athlete in terms of fitness. Lee read a game very well, had great vision and was fast and strong. He made a total of 22 first-team appearances for United before returning to Wolves.

Lee was captain of Yeovil Town in the National League and was on the bench for a game only last week and all at Yeovil Town are mourning the loss of their captain. The cause of his death is unknown at present but our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very sad time and the family have asked that everyone respects their privacy.”
 
Ron’s pen-pic of Lee’s career is penned below:-
 

Born Telford 28th September 1988, died Yeovil 31st March 2021

 

A 5’11” defender, Lee joined Wolves at the age of 16 and graduated through their Academy and turned professional in February 2007. He captained their U-18s and was a regular with their Reserves but never managed to break into the first team. United’s manager Graham Turner brought him to Edgar Street in November 2007 and was so impressed with his performances that he extended his loan until the end of the season. Lee was more comfortable as a centre-back but could also play as a full-back. He was the sort of player who always gave everything in training and he was a remarkable athlete in terms of fitness. Lee read a game very well, had great vision and was fast and strong. Lee made a total of 22 first-team appearances for United, without finding the back of the net and after leaving Edgar Street in May 2007, Wolves placed him out on loan again, this time to Port Vale in the summer of 2008 and in January 2009, the loan turned into a permanent move on a two and a half year deal. Lee became a key member of their defence and made 142 appearances for them over the next four seasons. 

 

In March 2012, he joined Barnsley on loan until the end of the season. In the summer of 2012, the move was made permanent. A loan at Shrewsbury Town followed before Northampton Town signed Lee in February 2013 on a two-year contract. After 74 appearances for the Cobblers over two seasons, Lee turned down a new contract to sign for Mansfield Town on a two-year deal. In May 2017, he signed another two-year deal, this time with Forest Green Rovers. In doing so, Lee became their first signing following promotion to the Football League. He scored twice in 48 appearances during 2017/18 but missed most of the following season with a long-term injury and was released by Rovers in the summer of 2019. Lee then signed a two-year contract with newly-relegated Yeovil Town, now playing in the National League. Lee led by example and soon became the Glovers' captain until tragically, Lee died at the ridiculously young age of 32.