Neill Collins leaves Rowdies to coach at Barnsley FC: Neill Collins, successful head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, embarks on a new coaching journey at Barnsley FC in English Football League One, signaling an exciting transition in his career.
Who is Neill Collins?
Neill William Collins is a Scottish football manager and former professional player. He currently works as the head coach of the Premier League club Barnsley. Collins had a successful career as a centre-back and represented the Scotland U21 and Scotland B teams during his playing days.
Collins began his football journey at Queen’s Park and later played for Dumbarton before joining Sunderland in 2004. Although he faced challenges establishing himself in the first team, he gained experience through loan spells at Hartlepool United and Sheffield United. He enjoyed success at Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming a regular starter and signing a permanent contract in 2007.
Following Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League, Collins had a loan spell at Preston North End before contributing significantly to Leeds United’s promotion to the Championship in 2010. He later returned to Sheffield United, making over 100 appearances for the club. In 2015, he was on loan at Port Vale before moving to the United States to play for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2016. During his playing career, Collins scored 35 goals in 583 league and cup appearances.
In May 2018, Collins went from player to head coach when he took on the role with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He achieved notable success in the 2021 season, receiving two USL Championship Coach of the Month awards and being named Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the team secured the Eastern Conference title and reached the playoffs.
Neill Collins leaves Rowdies to train at Barnsley FC
After an impressive six years as head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Neill Collins has decided to take on a new challenge as head coach of Barnsley FC in the English Football League. With a record of success, Collins leaves the Rowdies with a sense of pride and gratitude from the club’s ownership and management.
During his time with the Rowdies, Collins led the team to numerous victories and playoff appearances, establishing himself as an exceptional coach in the USL Championship. He is now keen to bring his expertise and passion to Barnsley, aiming to lead the club to success and make a positive impact on the team and its loyal fan base.
Barnsley chief executive Khaled El-Ahmad is confident Collins’ appointment will prove crucial in the club’s pursuit of promotion back to the Championship. The club is excited to welcome Collins and emphasizes the importance of allowing him to settle in, build strong relationships with staff and players and prepare for the upcoming season. With Collins at the helm, Barnsley are poised to embrace a new era of success and growth under his leadership.
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Why is Neill Collins leaving Rowdies?
Neil Collins’ departure from the Tampa Bay Rowdies was prompted by his pursuit of new challenges and personal growth in his coaching career. After an incredibly successful six-year tenure with the Rowdies, Collins believes the time is right to embark on a new opportunity and continue his coaching journey in a different environment.
He expresses his gratitude to the Rowdies for the experiences and opportunities they have provided, recognizing the need for personal and professional development. Collins leaves behind a legacy of success with the Rowdies, with an outstanding record of wins and playoff appearances. The club is proud to acknowledge his contribution and wish him all the best as he takes on the role of head coach at Barnsley FC.
The career of Neil Collins
Neill Collins had a successful career as both a player and a coach. As a player, he began his journey with Queen’s Park and went on to play for clubs such as Dumbarton, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He made over 100 appearances for Sheffield United and also had loan spells at Hartlepool United and Preston North End.
In May 2018, Collins made the transition from player to manager when he was named head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Despite facing challenges, he led the team to a 12th-place finish in 2018 and a fifth-place finish in 2019. The Rowdies had an outstanding season in 2020, finishing top of the table but unable to play in the Championship final due to cases of COVID-19.
Collins’ coaching abilities were recognized when he was named the 2021 USL Championship Coach of the Year. He led the Rowdies to the playoff finals in 2021 and 2022, showcasing his talent and strategic acumen. In July 2023, Collins returned to England to take up the role of head coach at League One club Barnsley. With a successful playing career and a promising coaching career ahead of him, Neill Collins continues to make a significant impact on the world of football.
Neil Collins Stats
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | the rest | In total | ||||||
Division | applications | Goals | applications | Goals | applications | Goals | applications | Goals | applications | Goals | ||
Queen’s Park | 2000–01 | Scottish Second Division | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
2001–02 | Scottish Third League | 28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | |
In total | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
Dumbarton | 2002–03 | Scottish Second Division | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 2 |
2003–04 | Scottish Second Division | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
In total | 63 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 72 | 4 | ||
Sunderland | 2004–05 | Priority | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 14 | 0 | |
2005–06 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | |||
2006–07 | Priority | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | |||
In total | 18 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 24 | 2 | |||
Hartlepool United (loan) | 2005–06 | First league | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
Sheffield United (loan) | 2005–06 | Priority | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2006–07 | Priority | 22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
2007–08 | Priority | 39 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 42 | 4 | ||
2008–09 | Priority | 23 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 27 | 4 | ||
2009–10 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |||
In total | 84 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 97 | 10 | ||
Preston North End | 2009–10 | Priority | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 | 1 | |
Leeds United | 2009–10 | First league | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | |||
2010–11 | Priority | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 23 | 0 | ||
In total | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 32 | 0 | |||
Sheffield United | 2010–11 | Priority | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 0 | |||
2011–12 | First league | 42 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 54 | 2 | |
2012–13 | First league | 39 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 5 | |
2013–14 | First league | 44 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 55 | 2 | |
2014–15 | First league | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
2015–16 | First league | 30 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 4 | |
In total | 177 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 214 | 14 | ||
Port Vale (loan) | 2014–15 | First league | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | |||
Tampa Bay Rowdies | 2016 | NEXT | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 1 | ||
in 2017 | USL | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 33 | 2 | ||
2018 | USL | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||
In total | 61 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 67 | 3 | ||
Total career | 517 | 30 | 38 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 597 | 34 | ||
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education