Neill Collins

Neill William Collins (born 2 September 1983 in Troon) is a Scotland football (soccer) defender (soccer), who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in the Football League Championship.

Career

Collins began his career with Scottish amateur club, Queen's Park F.C., moving to Dumbarton F.C. after two seasons. During his stay at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Collins became popular with the fans and had a spell as captain and was key to the Sons' battle to stay in the Second Division. During his time there, he also had trials with the likes of , , and and was always touted to leave for full-time football one day.

He finally left for Sunderland A.F.C. in August 2004, for a fee of £25,000, and made 11 appearances during first season as the club won promotion to the Premier League as champions. He never appeared in the top flight for them though, after being loaned out to, first, Football League One Hartlepool United F.C., then Football League Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United F.C., during the 2005-06 in English football.

He returned to the Sunderland A.F.C. team at the start of the following campaign, but was forced to play in the unnatural role of right-back, after injuries to team-mates Stephen Wright (English footballer) and Nyron Nosworthy. The defender was soon sent out on loan by the club's recently-appointed manager Roy Keane, whereupon he reunited with his former boss Mick McCarthy at Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C..

After his loan expired, Collins joined Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. permanently in January 2007, for £150,000. He was a regular starter for the rest of the season as the club reached the play-offs. The following season saw him score 4 winning goals, but this was undermined by him conceding 4 penalties in a year that saw the side miss out on the play-offs on goal difference.

He has made a solid start to the 2008-09 season alongside new signing Richard Stearman, following the injury to Jody Craddock.

He is signed to Wolves until Summer 2012.