30 Facts About Neill Collins

Neill William Collins was born on 2 September 1983 and is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the head coach of USL Championship club Sacramento Republic.

Neill Collins started his playing career with Queen's Park before moving to Dumbarton.

Neill Collins quickly moved to Leeds United, with whom he won promotion to the Championship in 2010.

Neill Collins moved to America in March 2016 to play for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Neill Collins took his first post in management in May 2018 when he transitioned from player to head coach at the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Neill Collins was appointed as the head coach of Raith Rovers in September 2024.

Neill Collins was associated with Kilmarnock's youth academy, the team he supported as a boy before being released at the age of 14.

Neill Collins earned a move to newly-promoted Second Division club Dumbarton in July 2002.

Neill Collins never appeared in the top-flight for the Black Cats after Alan Stubbs was signed and was instead loaned out to League One side Hartlepool United in August 2005.

Neill Collins made 25 appearances for Martin Scott's Pools during his stay at Victoria Park.

Neill Collins was loaned out to Neil Warnock's Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United in February 2006.

Neill Collins was a regular under Mick McCarthy, but when McCarthy left the job, Collins was dropped by replacement manager Roy Keane despite Collins feeling he'd performed well.

Neill Collins was reunited with his former boss Mick McCarthy at Wolverhampton Wanderers after joining the club on loan in November 2006.

When Mancienne returned to Chelsea in the New Year, Neill Collins returned to the side, partnering Richard Stearman.

Neill Collins remained out of the side for the remainder of the season as the club were promoted to the Premier League as champions and was transfer listed in July 2009.

In September 2009, Neill Collins was loaned out to Championship side Preston North End, a move made permanent when he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee in January 2010.

Neill Collins played an instrumental part as Leeds were promoted to the Championship after finishing in second place in League One.

Neill Collins signed a three-year deal with Leeds in July 2010 for an undisclosed fee.

Neill Collins signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Championship side Sheffield United after being signed by Micky Adams for an undisclosed fee in January 2011.

Neill Collins made 45 appearances across the campaign as United recorded a club record 21 clean sheets; however, they could only reach the play-off semi-finals.

Neill Collins joined League One rivals Port Vale on loan until the end of the season on 26 March 2015.

On 11 March 2016, Neill Collins had his contract with Sheffield United cancelled by mutual consent to allow him to sign a two-year contract with the North American Soccer League's Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Neill Collins featured 33 times in the 2017 campaign as the Rowdies finished third in the United Soccer League.

On 18 May 2018, Neill Collins was promoted to manager at the Tampa Bay Rowdies after he impressed chairman Bill Edwards with his intensity and work ethic.

Neill Collins was named USL Championship Coach of the Year after his team achieved 23 wins to top the Eastern Conference in the 2021 regular season.

Neill Collins was named as Coach of the Month for July 2022 after overseeing five wins that extended the club's unbeaten run to thirteen games; he credited the run to his players, name-checking new signing Jake LaCava.

On 6 July 2023, Neill Collins returned to England when he was appointed head coach of League One club Barnsley on a two-year deal.

On 3 September 2024, Neill Collins signed a three-year contract to become head coach of Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers, replacing Ian Murray.

On 21 December 2024, Neill Collins left Raith Rovers to take charge of Sacramento Republic FC in the USL Championship.

Neill Collins described heading as the strongest part of his game.