AFC Totton
RODERICK COLLINS JR., the captain who led Chesham United to the Southern League Premier Division South title last season, has joined AFC Totton on a permanent deal, after a short stint at Torquay United.
The versatile Irish-born midfielder had trials with Brackley Town and Crystal Palace in his youth, and went on to play for League of Ireland clubs Monaghan United, Athlone Town — where he won the First Division title — Derry City, Drogheda United and Waterford. He sailed back across the Irish Sea to join Hemel Hempstead Town in 2018, before moving to Hayes & Yeading United and then Kings Langley.
Collins signed for Chesham United in December 2021, and fitted straight into the team at The Meadow, before a knee injury kept him out for most of the 2022/23 season. But he returned to captain The Generals to the Southern League Premier Division South title, usually operating in midfield but playing in central defence when the Buckinghamshire-based team beat The Stags 2-0 under the shadow of the Chilterns in March, to open up an unassailable gap over Jimmy Ball’s men that they maintained until the season’s end.
In June, Collins signed for the former Southampton defender Paul Wotton, who is now the manager at Torquay United. The Gulls narrowly avoided relegation from the National League South last season and saw the 30-year-old Collins as the right man to add more solidity to their squad. However, after eight substitute appearances and only two starts in all competitions, an agreement was reached to terminate his Plainmoor contract by mutual consent.
The latest arrival at the Snows Stadium comes from strong sporting stock. Collins’ father, Roddy Collins Sr., is a former professional football player and manager in Ireland, where he played for several clubs during a 16-year career that also saw him represent Mansfield Town, Newport County and Cheltenham Town. As a manager, Collins Sr. had two stints in charge at Carlisle United, as well as spells at Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Athlone Town, most recently in 2018. He is now a renowned football pundit and broadcaster on Irish television and, two years ago, he released his memoir, which is entitled The Rodfather: Inside the Beautiful (Ugly, Ridiculous, Hilarious) Game.
Collins Jr. is also the nephew of world champion boxer Steve Collins, who was the WBO middleweight champion in May 1994 and became super-middleweight champion the following year, beating Chris Eubank and twice successfully defending his title against Nigel Benn in 1996. Roddy’s younger brother, Podge Collins, is also a boxer.
A wet Tuesday night at Plymouth Parkway’s Bolitho Park would — with all due respect to the good people from the village of Manadon, Devon — be few people’s ideal setting for their club debut. But, with club captain Mike Carter injured and Charlie Kennedy suspended, Collins equipped himself well in the centre of midfield, using his wealth of experience, honed over the course of approximately 400 appearances, and his vocality to lead and cajole his new teammates from the middle of the park.
“I was impressed by AFC Totton when I played against yous [sic] last season, and having got to know the place and what the management team are all about, the ambitions of this club suit me down to the ground,” explained Collins, shortly before boarding the coach home from Plymouth on Tuesday night.
“I want to be playing games and I want to achieve promotion, again — and I know that I can bring something in terms of my own experience and ability that will help this team to succeed. We made a good start tonight in difficult conditions for both sides in the heavy rain, and hopefully that will be the first of many wins for a successful season.”
Asked to compare his style of play to a famous footballer, Collins identifies Roy Keane as his football idol growing up, though he stops short of comparing himself to the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain:
“Keane was not only a great player who could mix it with the very best midfielders in world football, he was also a great example of dedication, determination to succeed, and carrying a strong set of values onto the pitch and in everything he did. In terms of my style of play, I think the Totton fans will get to see that for themselves, soon enough.”
Jimmy Ball said of his new recruit:
“I tried to sign Roddy in the summer, before he signed for Torquay. You could see when we played against Chesham that he has those leadership qualities that you need in your squad if you want to be successful, and when the chance came around to go in for him again, we didn’t hesitate.
“He’s got bags of experience; he’s calm on the ball, composed, sniffs out danger and gets himself in there to fight for possession and for his team. I think Roddy’s a great signing, and I’m really chuffed to have got this second chance to bring him to the football club. Credit has to the Board for backing me once again, and helping to bring Roddy to the Snows Stadium.”
By Ben Rochey-Adams
